THEATRE COMMISSIONS

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Waterside & Creative Industries Trafford are excited to announce TWO commissioning opportunities for Theatre Makers/Artists living in the North West.

  1. £3000 Commission for a North West based artist(s) who identifies as LGBTQ+ with a new project idea.

  2. £3000 Commission for a North-West based artist with a new project idea that is unique, under-represented and/or may not be regularly seen in the region.

WHAT WE”RE LOOKING FOR

We invite solo artists, collaborations or companies who are ambitious in both the work they create and their future growth.
We are looking for one specifically LGBTQ+ project to support to align with our Pride in Trafford Festival in May 2025.
For an idea of this, please see a link to this year’s festival, https://www.prideintrafford.org/2024

We also have another commissioning opportunity open for anyone to apply for, though we are particularly interested in supporting work that may not be regularly seen in the region and is risk-taking and innovative in its nature.

We do not have prescribed criteria in terms of style, substance, or form other than this has to be new work. Your proposed piece must be able to be performed in our Chambers studio space. It cannot be a re-staging of a published text and must be no longer than 75 minutes in length.
The commission will be performed at Waterside during 2025.

THE COMMISSION OFFER

The successful company or artist will receive:

  • A £3000 commissioning fee to support the production, towards production costs and script/ dramaturgical development.

  • 2-3 weeks space for rehearsal and development.

  • Support from the Theatre Commissions Coordinator as well as the CIT & Waterside teams.

  • Performance opportunities to stage the new production at Waterside in our studio space, The Chambers.

  • Marketing and PR support.

  • Producing Support

  • Technical support including lighting and sound operator(s)

  • A bespoke mentoring and support package tailored to the artist/ companies’ needs.

  • Aftercare: e.g. professional tour pack and/or further development advice.

  • Advocacy to other venues/programmers at a regional level.

HOW TO APPLY

Please use the form below to apply.
We will accept video, audio via email to sam@watersidearts.org or written applications using the application form at the bottom of this page.

DEADLINE

Applications should be submitted via email no later than 17:00 on Monday 17th June 2024.

Applications received after this time will unfortunately not be accepted.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

  • We will let all applicants (shortlisted and unsuccessful) know by Monday 24th June.

  • If your submission is shortlisted, you will be invited for an informal interview with our panel (a combination of venue staff and independent partners) this will take place w.c 8th July (exact date TBC).
    For anyone unable to attend in person, we will offer the opportunity to chat to the panel over video call.

  • Final decisions announced Friday by 12th July.

FIND OUT MORE

  • If you need any support or guidance, you can either email your questions to sam@watersidearts.org

  • A copy of the webinar that took place on Tuesday 28th May 2024 at 2pm can be viewed below.

APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED

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ARTISTS’ SURVEY

CIT is running an artists’ survey to help us understand the needs of the creative sector as we develop our support programme. Your participation would. be hugely appreciated - please note this is not linked to your application and won’t have any bearing on the outcome of your proposal. It is purely to help us understand more about those who are engaging with our work.

An equal opportunities and monitoring form will be sent to all applicants following receipt of your submissions.