Building on the legacy of Futures, we’ve announced the details of our revamped artist development programme. We’re inviting South-West creatives to join our brand-new Elevate Membership and participate in Elevate Festival, a week of performances, masterclasses and socials.
Artist development opportunities are vital to securing the future of the theatre industry and ensuring that everyone has the chance to be a part of it. During Elevate Festival, we will throw our doors wide open and invite South-West artists to meet, share and hone their craft. The free Elevate Membership then guarantees that our theatres continue to feel like home to local creatives all year round.
Sam Parker, Artist Development Producer
ELEVATE MEMBERSHIP
The Elevate Membership will give South-West artists access to exclusive opportunities, press nights, social events and discounts, including a 10% discount at the Northcott and Barnfield bar and café, and ticket discounts on selected shows.
It will also include a bimonthly email newsletter detailing all of the opportunities coming up. These will range from commissions for South-West artists, platforms for a variety of new work, free rehearsal space, bookable 1-to-1s with Northcott staff, and much more.
This announcement follows our first annual script submission window, which received over 100 entries from South-West playwrights. Our new submission window is part of Elevate’s dedicated literary support strand for writers.
Photo by Ralph Whitehead
ELEVATE FESTIVAL
In October, the Barnfield Theatre will host Elevate Festival. Highlights include:
- Scaffolding: Devon-based and multi-award-winning Documental Theatre’s new play, straight from the Edinburgh Fringe
- Orphan Planet: Danny Laine’s one-man show about grief and outer space, developed in Plymouth
- Elevate Shorts: four original plays by local playwrights, putting South-West stories centre stage
- Play, Pint, Pasty: lunchtime performance of Devon-based Moveable Type Theatre Company’s Black Pill & Paternity
- Newsicals: an informal afternoon of snacks, drinks, chat and ideas for new musicals
- Playwrights for Hire: resident writers accept prompts for one-page plays, culminating in a final performance
Further events will be exclusively available to Elevate members for free: an artist social co-hosted with Theatre Royal Plymouth; masterclasses led by local theatre companies and Northcott Creative Director Martin Berry; and Failspace, a playful, informal gathering for creatives to share lessons learnt from failure.
Elevate Festival will also host local company Squeeze Box for an artist’s residency, which provides the space to prioritise creative risk-taking. Squeeze Box are a network of creatives who support the artistic vision and disabled-led practice of Hugh Malyon. Their residency will culminate in an invite-only sharing, and a workshop-style Q&A.
Photo by South West Theatre Photography
Photo by Kyle Carter
ELEVATE ASSEMBLY
Members of our Elevate programme are invited to register their interest in joining Elevate’s Artist Assembly; a new initiative that will see a group of artists embedded in conversations and structures that inform the artistic and strategic decision making at Exeter Northcott.
This will be a paid position, with artists being offered a fee for their attendance to meetings and a stipend to cover some time for them to chat to the region’s freelance artist pool.
ELEVATE ASSOCIATE ARTISTS AND COMPANIES
We support, and have supported, a range of associate artists and companies, offering them mentoring and practical support to expand their creative practice. Previous associates have included Richard Chappell Dance (pictured), Jack Dean, Viv Gordon, Le Navet Bete, and CEDA.
Following the relaunch of our artist development programme, up to 6 new associate slots will be available. We are working with a number of artists and companies to fill these slots. They will be announced soon, so watch this space!
Photo by Dan Martin
Are you a South-West theatre maker? Get involved by joining our free Elevate Membership, or joining us for Elevate Festival in October. We can’t wait to meet you!
become an elevate member Explore the full festival programmeYOU MAY ALSO LIKE