We’re inviting South West-based women-led theatre companies and performance artists to apply for our Scratch Nights at the Barnfield Theatre during Reclaim, a festival of work by women, for everyone. The performances will take place on Wednesday 17th June 2026.
This is an opportunity to trial 20 minutes of new, women-led work in front of a live audience. The performance may be anything from an excerpt of a new play, stand-up comedy, dance, or live art performance. We are unable to accept films. The material must be a new idea which has not been performed for a paying audience elsewhere.
Eligible performances will centre around women’s stories, although they may include characters and performers of all genders.
Find out more
For the third time we will be partnering with Exeter Phoenix as part of an ongoing Scratch Night partnership throughout 2026 (further dates to be announced).
Got an idea that needs a platform?
Exeter Northcott Scratch Night in collaboration with Exeter Phoenix offers South West based artists in need of an audience a chance to stretch their ideas and the opportunity to test their work in the Clifford Room at the Barnfield theatre, along with £150 to help develop their idea and a small amount of rehearsal space before the Scratch Night.
Scratch Night will take place on Wednesday 17th June 2026, 7 – 9pm.
Applications close at 10am on Wednesday 6th May and we will let you know if you have been successful the following week. You must be available for a technical rehearsal slot sometime between 10am – 6pm during w/c 15th June and for the Scratch Night on the evening of Wednesday 17th June 2026.
What are we looking for?
Whether you’re currently working on a show and there’s a new bit you’d like to get in front of an audience and see how it connects, or you’ve had an idea ruminating that is ready to be put up on its feet – we’d like to invite you to apply to Scratch Night, an opportunity to test up to 20 minutes of live work. We welcome anything from performance art, play extracts, storytelling, comedy, clowning, improv, dance and physical theatre to multidisciplinary work of any genre.
If your work is in SUPER early development, and you’d like more of a workshop setting to test it out, come along to Little Scratch in the Workshop space at Exeter Phoenix – the next ones are taking place on Fri 27 Feb, Wed 25 Mar and Fri 24 Apr.
What do you get?
– £150 to support your practice, to use however you choose (you don’t need to use it for this project. If you need to take a day off from work to rehearse, you’d like to buy some props or pay someone to help you out — that money is yours and has absolutely no strings attached. Take yourself out for a big celebration after if you’d like!)
– Rehearsal space at Barnfield Theatre or Exeter Phoenix, subject to availability
– The opportunity to perform your work in front of a live audience (20 minutes max.)
– Audience feedback, written and/or in-person
– Dramaturgical support from Exeter Northcott’s Artist Development Producer, Sam Parker
– Tech rehearsal on the day of the event (45 minutes max.)
– Access support, if required
How do I apply?
To apply please complete this Google Form.
Although we’re not necessarily looking for fully formed ideas, we’d like to get to know YOU. You don’t have to rely on just writing in the text boxes and we encourage you to send us some links to anything that might support your application, i.e. mood boards, social media, or anything that can give us a sense of you and your work.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to submit your answers in a video or audio format (5 minutes max.) please email [email protected] with ‘Reclaim Scratch Night Submission’ as the subject line and ensure the following information is included in your application:
– Name of artist/company
– Where in the South West you are based
– A summary of the piece you would like to perform
– How Scratch Night will support your work as a live performance maker
– How we can access examples of your creative practice, i.e. website or social media
– Technical requirements
– Any access requirements you may have
If you’d like this form in another format, you’d like to ask a question or you’d like to send some supporting information, please email [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you!
Deadline for Applications: 10am on Wednesday 6th May 2026
APPLY NOW