The Alchymy Company Award takes The North Wall’s support of emerging artists a step further, by offering a new company financial, artistic and technical support in order to showcase a new piece of written or devised work at next year's Alchymy Festival.
Ten shortlisted applications will be judged by journalist Lyn Gardner, co-directors of The North Wall Ria Parry and John Hoggarth and Alchymy Festival producer Ellie Keel.
The winning company will receive free North Wall rehearsal space plus accommodation and meals for up to eight company members preceding next year's Alchymy Festival and a 50:50 box office split from performances of the show.
In addition to £1,500, assistance with travel expenses is offered alongside artistic, technical and dramaturgical support from The North Wall.
Companies formed no more than 5 years ago with a director, a writer (if applicable), a designer and a producer are eligible to apply. They will be asked to commit to raising enough additional funds to pay all team members Equity minimum rates for the duration of their rehearsal period.
With this Award, The North Wall particularly wishes to support those who face disproportionate barriers to accessing and establishing themselves within the industry and encourage companies that foreground working class, BAME, migrant, and/or LGBTQ+ theatre makers to apply.
The Alchymy Company Award is open to new writing, new adaptations of existing texts, or devised work; the show must not have been performed or developed elsewhere.
Applicants should provide a pitch document (maximum length 2 A4 pages) describing the proposed show (no longer than 2 hours in duration) and the ways the show and company will benefit from the Alchymy Company Award. A page listing those involved in the project and, if existing, scripts should be provided.
The closing date for applications for The Alchymy Company Award is noon on 1 October 2018.