As part of our Local Exchange residency in Cheetham Hill, our Community Ambassadors are commissioning the creation of an audio show around the streets of Cheetham Hill. The show will be created from landmarks, local stories and the eclectic voices of this diverse and vibrant community.

We want to hear from artists who work with communities and non-professional actors or have always wanted to. If you make interactive, audio or digital work.

We are looking for two artists to create this piece: A Sound Designer and a Storyteller. You can apply individually, or two artists can apply with a joint application. Or alternatively you can apply as a theatre company that has a sound designer as part of your team.

We are looking for Manchester based artists or companies to help us create this show alongside our Local Exchange Ambassadors. Interviewing the community, local business owners and our Ambassadors, you will create an audio show about Cheetham Hill’s history, it’s present, and the people that make up this community. It will be a family friendly show.

Alongside the audio walking show, we will create a digital version of the piece that can be accessed online. Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions will be adhered to so there will be an element of flexibility to the in-person part of the project depending on restrictions at the time.

This work will be presented as part of the CHEETHAM SPRING FLING FESTIVAL in May 2021. The Cheetham Spring Fling is an annual festival celebrating one of the most diverse areas in the UK – Cheetham Hill. The Spring Fling is an afternoon of activities, music, food and dance.

We want to open this show as part of the Spring Fling and continue in-person performances throughout May. There will be two ways to access the show. Through a bookable guided tour, where you experience the show in a timed slot with a group. The show will also be available online and can be experienced at any time by audiences.

You will meet and interview community groups remotely in March 2021. Their stories will form the narrative of the piece. The Ambassadors have identified the locations and community groups that the show will be about. You will be facilitating the realisation of the Ambassadors vision for this project. We see each audio story lasting between 2-6mins.

Accessibility will be at the heart of this process. To ensure this show reaches a wide-ranging audience we will be creating a digital version accessible online for those who cannot attend in person. We will also incorporate different languages widely spoken in the community into each audio story.

STORYTELLER
We are looking for an artist that can give fictional shape to the stories we collect through interviews with the community. This role will be to facilitate workshops with the community. They will create text inspired by these interviews, then shape a story and a physical journey through Cheetham Hill using audio technology. These stories will be performed by the local community. You will rehearse and direct community performers who will be the actors in the audio stories. 12 Days – £2,500

SOUND DESIGNER
The Sound Designer will record, edit and add additional sound design to the audio stories. You will also support the creation of the digital outcome of the piece. 12 Days – £2,500

THEATRE COMPANY 

Your team will carry out both roles outlined above over the 12 days. – 12 Days – £5,000

To apply, please send the following information to engage@royalexchange.co.uk by 10am Tuesday 23 February.

• A bit about yourself and who you are as an artist

• Tell us about your practice and how it relates to community work

• Tell us what three questions you have about Cheetham Hill to engage the community

You can send us your written responses answers up to 250 words max for each question. Or send a voice note or film version no longer than 5 minutes.

If you have any access requirements and/or face any barriers in applying, please let us know. Please also let us know if you also have any access requirements whilst working

Any questions or if you would like to talk further please contact Philippa Crossman, Community Producer at philippa.crossman@royalexchange.co.uk

DATES

Deadline to apply is Tuesday 23 February.

Shortlisting will happen on Thursday 25 February.

You will be notified if you are successful for an interview on Friday 26 February.

Interviews will take place over zoom with Philippa and the Cheetham Hill Ambassadors on Wednesday 3 March.

https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/call-out-for-artists-cheetham-show