More than 20 theatres and theatre organisations have come together to establish Supporting Theatre and Makers of Performance, a London facing organisation that will support theatre artists and act as advocate for the role of theatre and theatre makers in London.
STAMP members include The Albany, Arcola, Artsadmin, artsdepot, Barbican, Battersea Arts Centre, Camden People’s Theatre, Fuel, The Gate, National Theatre, The Old Vic, Omnibus Theatre, Ovalhouse, Penned in the Margins, Pleasance, Poplar Union, Richmix, Shoreditch Town Hall, Soho Theatre, Stratford Circus, Talawa, Tamasha, Theatre 503, Theatre Delicatessen, The Yard and Yellow Earth.
Brian Logan, artistic director of Camden People’s Theatre whose initial research is behind this initiative, said, “in person and via research we commissioned in 2014, CPT artists told us loudly and clearly that they wanted joined-up thinking, transparency and collaboration between London venues and artist support programmes. STAMP is the result, and we’re thrilled it’s happening.
"Alongside our partner organisations, we at CPT are dedicated to ensuring STAMP makes London a more accommodating, easy-to-navigate and creative landscape for artists making new theatre and performance."
STAMP will maintain a programming database for London venues, arrange events for producers and artists and work towards increasing shared knowledge and practices.
It will also have a lobbying function initially addressing living and working conditions and undertake research. Present projects include looking into access to available rehearsal space and models increasing collaboration.