Camden People’s Theatre is offering 9 seed commissions in 2024 to artists from under-represented backgrounds, to support the development of innovative new theatre projects.
These commissions, supported by funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, recognise that artists from the Global Majority, Deaf and disabled artists, and artists from working-class backgrounds are under-represented in contemporary theatre – and addresses this under-representation.
CPT acknowledges the significant barriers to professional participation in theatre, particularly post-Covid-19, for many artists, especially those from under-represented backgrounds.
Successful projects emerging from the scheme in recent years include Flawbored’s It’s a MotherF**king Pleasure, Lanre Malaolu’s Elephant in the Room, Lagahoo Productions’ Bogeyman and Paula Varjack’s The Cult of K*nzo.
What we’re looking for:
- New work: new ideas, or projects still at the early work-in-progress stage
- Work that reflects CPT’s focus on current social, political or cultural concerns
- Bold, unconventional and innovative work, that takes the artform in new directions
- Devised, self-made and/or solo work
Please bear in mind, we are unlikely to consider 'plays' as traditionally understood, 'new writing', formally conventional work, straight monologues, or any work made according to the usual writer-director-actor hierarchies. We cannot accept scripts with your application. Please click this link to familiarise yourself with CPT’s artistic priorities.
What we’re offering:
- £1000 seed commission
- One week’s R&D space between May - Sept 2024
- A performance at a CPT scratch night between June and October 2024
- Dedicated producing support from CPT’s in-house producer
- Connection to a network of commissioned artists
- Mentoring from CPT team; marketing support in advance of public performances; technical support; support with access needs where required
- Ongoing development opportunities. CPT hopes seed commissions will lead to longer-term relationships with artists, and has funds allocated to support this. We will do what we can to offer projects further support.
These seed commissions are only open to artists from marginalised backgrounds, specifically global majority artists*, disabled artists, d/Deaf artists and/or artists from working-class backgrounds.
*This includes people of Black Caribbean, Black African, South Asian, East Asian, South East Asian, Middle Eastern, Arab, Latinx, Jewish, Romany and Irish Traveller heritage.
How to Apply
- Please create an account with Eventotron following the steps listed on this link
- Ensure you are logged into your new account
- Complete the Eventotron application form via this link to apply. You must ensure you are logged in, and using the same email you created your account with.
- Video or audio submissions can be accepted in place of a written application, just follow the instructions within the application to submit.
- You will receive a confirmation email after submitting your application. Please check your spam or junk folder if you have not received this. You will also be able to see your application in the Events section of your Eventotron account.
This form is split into three sections. The first collects basic details about you, the second asks questions about your work as an artist and your proposed project, and the third section is our Artist Monitoring Form. The third section should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. We cannot accept scripts, or any other documents outside of the application form.
A full copy of the call-out & application questions can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
Submissions close at 10am on Thursday 25 January 2024. We will be in touch with all applicants regardless of outcome once the deadline has passed. Please note, due to the number of applications we expect to receive, the reviewing process may take up to 4 weeks.
For any issues using Eventotron, please use the Help button in the bottom right hand corner on the Eventotron website.
For any other questions, accessibility requirements, or if you require the application form in a different format, please email artists@cptheatre.co.uk.
This seed commission scheme is generously supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
