Camden People’s Theatre is offering 9 seed commissions to artists from marginalised backgrounds, to support the development of innovative new theatre projects. These commissions are on offer throughout 2022. This commission, supported by funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, recognises that artists of colour, d/Deaf and disabled artists, and artists from working-class backgrounds are underrepresented in contemporary theatre – and addresses this under-representation. Successful projects emerging from the scheme in recent years include Lanre Malaolu’s Elephant in the Room, Paula Varjack’s The Cult of K*nzo and HighRise Theatre’s Merryville.

CPT acknowledges the significant barriers to professional participation in theatre – particularly post-Covid-19 – for many artists, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. They have dedicated funds set aside for onward support to artists commissioned via this scheme.

Guidelines 

– New work: new ideas, or projects still at the early work-in-progress stage
– Work that reflects CPT’s focus on questions of social, political or cultural currency
– Bold, unconventional and innovative work
– Devised, self-made and/or solo work

Please bear in mind, they are unlikely to consider ‘plays’ as traditionally understood, ‘new writing’, formally conventional work, straight monologues, or any work made according to the usual writer-director-actor hierarchies. They cannot accept scripts with your application.

Offer

– £1000 seed commission
– One week’s R&D space in spring or summer 2022 (or, if space is unavailable for public health reasons, one week of supported digital R&D)
– A performance at a Big Bang scratch night at CPT in spring or autumn 2022
– Dedicated producing support from CPT’s in-house producer
– Connection to a network of commissioned artists
– Mentoring from CPT team; marketing support in advance of public performances; technical support; support with access needs where required
– Ongoing development opportunities. CPT hopes seed commissions will lead to longer-term relationships with artists, and has funds allocated to support this. We will do what we can to offer projects further support.

Application Deadline: Monday 10 January 2022

Informal interview dates: Friday 21 January 2022

https://www.cptheatre.co.uk/get-involved/opportunities/