HOTHOUSE
Nurturing the development of a new theatre company in Greater Manchester
Deadline: Monday 12 August 2024, 10am.
Hothouse is a new artist development programme from The Lowry, supporting the creation of a new theatre company in Greater Manchester. In response to requests from independent theatre makers and performance-based artists across the region for more opportunities to connect, collaborate and make work with others, we are piloting a programme that will support the formation of a new theatre company at The Lowry over a 6-month period.
To lay the foundations for this new company, we invite applications from artists based in Greater Manchester to audition to be part of the programme and will select 5 independent theatre makers to join. The company will then take part in an intensive ‘getting to know you’ week led by The Lowry’s Associate Artists Meghan Doyle and Stan Hodgson, followed by a short series of monthly workshops/masterclasses led by other leading artists between October – December 2024.
In January 2025, the company will then take part in a R&D week to further explore and shape ideas for a new show and following a 2-week rehearsal period and production week, this new production will then be performed in the Aldridge Studio at The Lowry in February 2025.
We want to provide a ‘hothouse’ environment for the genesis of this new company, offering a supportive space for a group of artists to explore ideas, fail safely, discover what it means to work together as a company or collective, and create ambitious and bold work. We are looking for artists who are excited by the opportunity to get involved in constructing this new theatre company, making new work and have time to commit to a dynamic new programme.
HOTHOUSE PROGRAMME DATES
Intensive week: Mon 23 September – Friday 27 September 2024, 10am-5pm daily at The Lowry
Four Masterclasses: October 2024 – January 2025 at The Lowry
R&D Week: Mon 13 – Fri 17 January 2025 at The Lowry
Rehearsal Week 1: Mon 20 – Fri 24 January 2025 at The Lowry
Rehearsal Week 2: Mon 27 – Fri 31 January 2025 at The Lowry
Production Week: Mon 3 – Fri 7 February 2025 at The Lowry
Show days: Thu 6 & Fri 7 February 2025 at The Lowry
WE ARE LOOKING TO RECRUIT 5 ARTISTS WHO ARE:
– Aged 18 years and above, and are based in Greater Manchester
– Passionate about creating contemporary performance/theatre and have an interest in devised work. Please note you do not previously need to have been part of a company or collective to take part
– Have a keen interest in devised work, performing and experience that can be shared within a creative collaborative process
– Interested in exploring meaningful, courageous, vibrant ideas and approaches, building relationships, engaging with audiences, celebrating creativity and innovation and championing diversity and representation
– Interested in self-producing or/and finding out more how to produce work.
– Open to new ideas, willing to share and learn, good listeners, supportive of others and interested in creative collaborations
– Have the time, capacity and enthusiasm to invest in this development opportunity and building a relationship with other local artists and The Lowry
Whilst you may have a primary discipline as an artist, we are looking for people who want to collaborate across performance disciplines. Therefore, this opportunity is not for those who consider themselves to be solely an actor, writer, director, producer, or for someone looking to get their own idea for a show developed.
HOTHOUSE PROGRAMME OFFER
– A weekly fee of £600 per company member for the initial intensive week, R&D week, rehearsal weeks and production week.
– Space at The Lowry to research, develop, make and present work
– Producer support and mentoring from The Lowry staff
– A series of development workshops to support and develop artistic practice and creative thinking
– Support with marketing, audience development, profile raising and advocacy
– Tickets to see shows at The Lowry
KEY DATES
Deadline for applications: Monday 12 August 2024, 10am
All applicants will be notified on: Tuesday 27 August 2024
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an audition: Monday 2 September, 10am-5pm
Shortlisted applicants informed of final decisions: Friday 6 September 2024
WHAT SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS MAY EXPECT FROM THE AUDITION
Shortlisted candidates will take part in a day-long collaborative devising workshop audition, led by The Lowry’s Associate Artists Meghan Doyle and Stan Hodgson.
For auditionees, it will be a playful, practical workshop with creative tasks and activities. There will also be individual opportunities to showcase your practice/ performance skills.
For the panel, it will be an opportunity to meet you, learn about your skills and ideas, and observe your collaboration/ensemble skills.
Regardless of your audition outcome, we aim to make the day an enriching experience towards your professional development.
Please note programme dates are fixed, so if you are unable to make the audition date or intensive week then please do not apply.
If you have any questions, or need any advice on whether this opportunity is right for you, then please email your questions to artistdevelopment@thelowry.com.
HOW TO APPLY
Please complete this form CLICK HERE(including video or audio files).
We accept applications in writing or by using bullet points, or you can also share links on the application form to a video or audio recording of your answers (lasting no longer than 5 minutes in total)
Please remember to include any passwords to your audio or video files on the application form.
CLICK HERE to download the Application Form in a Word document. This can be used to draft answers to the questions before applying online, or for audio or video applications.
CLICK HERE to download the information on this web page and the Application Form in LARGE PRINT
CLICK HERE to download the information on this web page and the Application Form as an EASY READ
The Lowry is committed to encouraging diversity and intersectionality in the arts and we actively encourage applications from artists from under-represented communities, including people who experience racism, identify as working class, have disabilities, are from the LGBTQ+ community, are care experienced or are discriminated against. We encourage you to apply for this opportunity no matter what your age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, class and sexual orientation.
