Centre Stage is a 2 year project supported by Arts Council England and Backstage Trust that sees young people aged 12-18 across Nottinghamshire engaging in programming, commissioning and co-creating new theatre by leading artists/companies from across the UK.
Through co-creation workshops young people will work with artists to develop new theatre shows alongside the findings of Nottinghamshire Youth Trends - the county’s largest youth-led survey. Artists will work with the participants to present existing or create new shows, informed by their ideas and the things that matter to them the most.
Working with 5 secondary schools across Nottinghamshire, the commissioned shows will be presented in front of approx. 500 students (100 per school) followed by workshops to explore the content and how it was made.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for two companies or artists to join us on this journey of Centre Stage across multiple call-outs, programming opportunities and commissions which will be. This call-out is for one company/artisty to present work as part of our Spring programme week during w/c 10th March 2025.
What You'll Get
- Programmed artists will received up to £1000/day performance and workshop fee (excl. VAT) over up to 4 days as well as the option to bid for up to £2,500 commission fee for work that is still in development.
- Technical support to enable the show to tour to school environments.
- Support from the Nonsuch team on co-creating with young people and planning for the Centre Stage programme week.
- Support on delivering the show within schools
- Dramaturgical sessions and development support with Nonsuch’s Artistic Director (if the show still in development)
- Opportunity to explore evening public performances in Nottingham (tbc)
Themes, Thoughts & Ideas
During our first Centre Stage week in November 2024, we spoke to participants about the types of shows that they would like to see, and themes they’d love to see tackled on stage.
We’re therefore are particularly interested in shows that respond to or are inspired by the following themes:
- Reimagining History &/or The Future
- Identity & The World
- Inequality & Social Justice
How to Apply
Please download the attached Call-out Pack (PDF) which outlines the separate call-outs for both our March 2025 and Autumn 2025 programme. You may apply for one or both of these opportunities, but due to the nature of the call-outs and the different information required for each, you will need to send separate applications (although items may be duplicated).
In order to apply for our March 2025 performance week please send us PDF document of no more than 4 pages of A4 containing the following information:
- Information about you, your company and your work (including information/links to previous performances and projects)
- Why do you want to perform as part of Centre Stage and why is your show appropriate for 12-18-year-olds?
- How you would approach presenting and performing your show in a school building setting?
- What you would envisage the workshops would focus on in relation to the content of the production (thematic workshops) and how the show was made (theatre skills and drama workshops).
- The technical requirements of the show including minimum performance space requirements.
- A breakdown of fees for the show performance days including workshops (this should be inclusive of travel, accommodation and any company costs).
- Confirmation of your availability to perform in Nottingham w/c 10th March 2025.
- Confirmation that everyone in your team is willing to undergo or provide us and our partner schools with an Enhanced DBS Certificate.
In addition to your application pack, you may also attach pre-existing documents as PDFs.
- Tour Pack for the show including any links to videos or photographs
- Technical Specifications about the show.
Your Application PDF should be emailed to hello@nonsuchstudios.co.uk with CENTRE STAGE MARCH 2025 APPLICATION in the Subject Line.
The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 4th February at 10am.
