The 2010 lab marks a return to the three-week schedule for the Sundance Theatre Lab, which had reduced the length of the retreat down to two weeks in previous years.

Producing artistic director Philip Himberg told Playbill.com that Sundance will also nurture seven to eight projects in 2010, as opposed to the smaller labs (which workshopped two to three projects) in recent years. The reductions in both the lab length and number of entries were due to financial constrictions in light of the recent fiscal downturn, according to Himberg.

"The core values of what Sundance stands for, and how we've crafted the structure to support people, is back," Himberg said of the return to the three-week format. "It's really something that no other play-development program has, that 'luxury' which respects the playwrights and directors process."

The Banff Centre lab replaces the annual Utah lab at the Sundance Resort, which is currently undergoing renovations. Sundance has also held satellite labs at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and Governors Island in New York harbor this past year.

Sundance provides each selected artist with a $500 honorarium, as well as artistic support including actors, dramaturges, rehearsal space and stage management. Each lab culminates in a presentation for the theatre lab community and a feedback session with Sundance staff. Application and guidelines are available online at Sundance.org