The scheme is part of the wider programme of artist support activity CPT will deliver in its second year as a National Portfolio Organisation.
Following the success of the first round of BAME seed commissions in Spring 2016, awarded to Highrise Theatre, Rachael Young and Caleb Oluwafemi, CPT will offer at least six seed commissions for artists from BAME backgrounds during 16/17 for the creation of new scratch performances. Each artist or company will receive £750, as well as rehearsal space and mentoring from the CPT team. Where possible, CPT seeks to support shows to full production.
Barrel Organ and Sh!t Theatre continue their role as CPT Associate Artists into 16/17. In Spring Barrel Organ curates a series of scratch nights, and Sh!t Theatre’s hit Woman’s Hour returns, with more activity from the companies later in the year.
CPT is also exploring ways of improving skills exchange and knowledge sharing between venues dedicated to supporting theatre makers at the start of their careers. As part of this activity, in May CPT partners with BAC on All Tomorrow’s Theatre, an event that brings together early-career artists from across the UK, along with the venues and producers that support them.
The day will feature work-in-progress sharings from a selection of artists curated by ARC Stockton, Derby Theatre, National Theatre of Wales and Nuffield Theatre. It will also shine a light on artist support initiatives nationwide, prompting discussions exploring the philosophy and practise of artist support.
“We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Home Run initiative, created to address a gap in the provision of support for artists to bridge the gap between work-in-progress and full production. How many great shows never get beyond work-in-progress stage, find themselves ‘scratching’ to death – or lose all their impetus in the scrabble for funding, commissions, and weeks here and there of in-kind rehearsal space? Now, Home Run is here to help. It’s part of a package of new and renewed artist support mechanisms designed by, with and for artists at CPT and beyond – one which includes All Tomorrow’s Theatre, a one-off event intended to explore the idea, and the culture, of artist support nationwide – and by doing so, to improve it.” – Brian Logan, Artistic Director, Camden People’s Theatre
‘We are delighted to support CPT’s Home Run programme over the next three years. Too often independent performance makers have to piece together support from venues and funders to realise their ideas; a long, slow, hard process which can demoralise and affect the quality of the work. This is a brilliant chance to work with the generous and dedicated CPT team, concertedly over a period of time, and we are looking forward to seeing how this offer is embraced.’ – Jon Opie, General Manager, Jerwood Charitable Foundation.
