When established in 2017, a goal of the Aphra Behn Festival was to give women interested in directing and writing for theatre an opportunity to get more experience, try out ideas, experiment, and hone their craft. Sate aims to make the Festival an inclusive space for transgender and non-binary artists, as well.

Submissions from applicant directors and writers are reviewed and selected by members of Sate’s Artistic Advisory Ensemble and Sate’s co-producers.

Introduced during the Fifth Annual Festival, Sate piloted a mentorship program to strike a balance in professionalism for the organization and our productions while still creating opportunity for emerging artists. Sate also hopes to create ongoing opportunities for artists who have previously participated in the Aphra Behn Festival.