Northern Stage is looking for work that experiments with ambition.
We take our responsibility to support emerging artists very seriously and have a range of programmes on offer to support those wishing to make work in our building.Giving exceptional emerging artists in the region the chance to develop their work within the supported environment of Northern Stage, our Creative Residencies programme is currently funded by the Northern Rock Foundation.
Whilst the different strands may inform or overlap one another, they may also stand alone. Artists are encouraged to make the most of the toolkit on offer. There is no one route! Like the sound? Here's how you can get involved.
First in Three: Northern Stage's scratch-night now in it's fourth year.
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. All contributors are unpaid and submissions are accepted up to four weeks before each event.
To take part in First in Three please download a proposal form here. For more information about First in Three, Time in Two or Title Pending please contact Mark Calvert, Creative Associate, on MCalvert@northernstage.co.uk or 0191 2427215.
Time in Two: an opportunity for artists/companies who have the seeds of an idea and early creative connections.
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 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 who can advise you. 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.
Title Pending: The Northern Stage Award for New Theatre
Title Pending is our annual award for the most innovative, thoughtful and intriguing proposal for a new piece of theatre. It is a competitive process. Artists are asked to submit an idea and a national panel of theatre professionals short list and interview candidates before deciding on a winner.
The prize is a two week, fully supported residency within the Northern Stage building and a cash bursary of £2000 to really develop an idea or work on a current project in a professional theatre setting.
The inaugural 2010 award was won by the brilliant Greyscale for their new piece, A Prayer. We showed the results in unexpected places in Northern Stage throughout late September 2010 and were delighted at the response from audiences. Writer/Director Kirsty Housley won Title Pending 2011, with her production She Stood at the Window. Her intesive 2 week residency at Northern Stage culimnated in a showing in July 2011 - and that's only the beginning!
The 2012 finalists have now been notified and invited to attend the final judging weekend in May keep checking the website to find out who 2012's winner will be!