New Diorama, Underbelly and Concord Theatricals are coming together to make a game-changing investment in theatre companies wanting to showcase their work at the Fringe. In 2023 they’re also partnering with Untapped Award-winning trailblazers Nouveau Riche, to bring their expertise to the selection process and boost our mentoring and well-being offer for  selected companies.

Each of the Untapped Award winners will receive:

• £10,000 cash straight into your bank account
• A prime venue and slot at Underbelly at the Fringe
• A preferential 65/35 box office split – with no upfront venue fees or upfront deposit
• Specialist marketing support at the Fringe, with access to Underbelly’s flyering team and outdoor poster boards
• Individual show press campaign from PR gurus Mobius
• Show imagery designed by NDT’s Art Director Guy J Sanders
• Publishing and licensing deal with Concord Theatricals
• Support & funding to present accessible performances, for example captioned and relaxed performances.
• Support, guidance and advice from a team with extensive experience of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
• Preview shows at New Diorama Theatre in London
• For 2023, Nouveau Riche will offer their extensive Fringe insight, delivering a bespoke workshop programme and hosting some of their legendary get-togethers at the festival (with the Untapped partners picking up the tab)
• Well-being support provided during the festival, tailored to the needs of the winning companies

Eligibility

They’re looking for early and mid-career theatre companies. To be eligible to apply for Untapped you need to:

• Be based in the UK.
• Available to perform for the full month at the 2023 Fringe.
• Able to attend the in-person showcase day in London on Sunday 19th March.
• Be a theatre company or ensemble. They are not accepting applications from comedy groups or solo shows – there need to be a minimum of 2 performers on stage.
• Have not previously presented the show you’re proposing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

They want to ensure this award continues to particularly support artists who may face the most significant barriers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. They will prioritise support for companies that are led by Black, Asian, and/or Global Majority artists, Disabled or Deaf artists, and/or Working Class artists. It’s important to say that your work does not need to be linked to or centred on your identity for them to be interested.

Deadline 

10am Monday 20th February 

All applicants will need to be available to attend an in-person session in Central London on Sunday 19th March to share a short rehearsal room extract of their work. Shortlisted companies will be paid £200 each for their participation, and they will cover travel for groups coming from outside of London.

Edinburgh Untapped Award | New Diorama