Call for Applications: Dub Poetry Workshop with Lillian Allen

Calling all poets, aged 40 and up: it’s time to delve into the traditions of dub poetry, with guidance from none other than Toronto’s very own poet laureate.

Lillian Allen will be heading Spoken Truths: Dub Poetry & Performance, a workshop series introducing participants to the roots of dub poetry, while exploring the techniques and performance practices it takes to bring it to life. Through four workshops, you’ll learn how to craft your own piece, develop your voice, and render your personal and collective stories. Written pieces will then be recorded onto vinyl records.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

The workshops will be held on the following days from 7pm – 9pm

Workshop One: Thursday November 6th, 2025
Workshop Two: Thursday November 13th, 2025
Workshop Three: Thursday November 20th, 2025
Workshop Four: Thursday November 27th, 2025

All workshops are mandatory

RECORDING SESSIONS

First Session: Thursday January 15th, 2026
Second Session: Thursday January 22nd, 2026

LISTENING PARTY
Thursday March 6th, 2026

IMPORTANT DATES

Application Deadline: Monday October 20th, 2025

Interview Process: On a rolling basis. Short list applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Lillian Allen

The 7th Poet Laureate of Toronto, Lillian Allen is a professor of creative writing at Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD). Two time JUNO Award winner and trailblazer in the field of spoken word and dub poetry, Allen artistically explores the aesthetics of old and new sounds in music to create her distinctive leading edge brand of Canadian reggae with new world sounds in her poetry recordings, with her powerful reggae dub poetry/spoken word recordings including her latest single Woken & Unbroken (2018), album ANXIETY (2012), her groundbreaking first solo Juno awardwinning album Revolutionary Tea Party, a Ms. Magazine Landmark Album, followed by another Juno winner, Conditions Critical. Her third album, Freedom & Dance and her recording for children and young people, Nothing But a Hero, were released to critical acclaim.