Photo by Victoria Irvine

Northern Stage is looking for work that experiments with ambition.

We are pleased to announce the arrival of our Creative Residencies programme. 

Giving exceptional emerging artists in the region the chance to develop their work within the supported environment of Northern Stage, this will take the form of a three-tiered programme to support regional artists, funded by the Northern Rock Foundation.

Whilst the three stages may inform or overlap one another, they may also stand alone.  The entry point of each artist will be considered case by case; some may progress from First In Three, to Time in Two, to the Title Pending award, where others may enter at the Title Pending stage.  There is a strong possibility that artists/companies may move backwards and forwards between the three strands.  Each offers something unique, and will be important and appropriate at many different points throughout the journey of any given artist/company or piece.

How do I get involved?

First in Three:

You may already be familiar with First In Three, as it moves into its third year at Northern Stage.  Going from strength to strength, it is an important part of the Northern Stage programme and we are continually looking for new submissions. 

It is a chance for theatre-makers, writers and performers to showcase new work and try it out for the first time in front of an audience in our Stage 3 space.  The audience are asked to give written feedback, answering questions set by the performers, and are encouraged to hang around afterwards, have a drink and chat to the performers about their work. The evenings have a lovely, collaborative and generous feel to them and are a great chance for artists to see each others work and make connections.

- Artists/companies will not be paid for their appearances, but are provided with a technical slot and rehearsal space where possible. 
- First In Three is an ongoing part of the Northern Stage programme, taking place three times each season. Submissions are accepted up to 6 weeks before each event. 
- To take part in First in Three, please contact Jo Cundall, Participation and Programming Co-ordinator on jcundall@northernstage.co.uk for a proposal form.


Time in Two:

We are excited to launch the next phase of our creative opportunities with the announcement of Time In Two. This will provide a chance for those artists and companies who have the seeds of an idea and the early creative connections and collaborators to take it forward, developing it over a week in our Stage 2 space.

A week in stage 2 allows artists the time and space to try ideas out without any pressure or commitment.  While the week can go several ways - you may spend the week messing around, trying out things that may not make sense and generally going wrong, or you may refine, polish and hone an idea to the point of wanting to show it in front of an audience.  We would consider both of these outcomes as time well spent. 

- Included in the offer is in-kind support, with appropriate negotiated access to Northern Stage staff; marketing, participation, finance, administration and technical expertise is available. 
- This package represents a significant financial sum, which would stand those companies who may also look to apply for additional funding in good stead.
- There will be no formal application process, but artists will be identified and encouraged by our creative team. Please note that this strand is not appropriate for writers as funding is not in place to subsidise performers.
- The first three selected artists will be announced in December 2009, with residencies taking place in February and March 2010.


Title Pending - The Northern Stage Award for New Theatre.

Title Pending, the third strand of Northern Stage's Creative Residency programme, will be a competition process of national value, with respected national judges who are well known theatre-makers. 

Artists and companies will bid for a two week, fully supported residency period at Northern Stage, with a culmination showing for invited guests.  This would not necessarily have to be a finished piece,  but the proposal process would outline what they are aming to achieve during the fortnight, and that will be considered by the judges when making their decision.

The proposal process will comprise a simple form, outlining how the applicant would use the two weeks, the potential audience for the work, why the work may be groundbreaking, where it sits in the cultural scene of North East England (the piece need not necessarily be a Northern Stage-style piece) and what hopes they have for its future life. This process consciously focuses on the future, rather than asking for past experience of making work.

- Successful applicants will be asked to attend a two day workshop event, facilitated by a external, neutral artist, allowing applicants to create a piece in a framed context.  The judges would also be present at this event, giving all entrants a chance to showcase their practice, but only the winning artist or company will progress past this point.
- The resulting successful applicant would be given a modest budget, two weeks in Stage 2 with full technical support, and access to other members of staff, as well as creative support and assistance in engaging appropriate mentors to aid the artist/company/piece's development.
- The final piece will form a major part of the Northern Stage programme, further raising the profile of the production.
- The national call out for proposals will take place in January, with the two-week residency taking place in Summer 2010.