East Midlands touring company New Perspectives has revealed the 18 artists who will be its associates for 2024–25.
The associates will receive a year-long programme of support, training and mentorship from New Perspectives’ core team of seven.
More than 75 people applied to be associates. Those chosen are Grace Carter, Serenah Cole, Sophie Jane Corner, Helen Crevel, Doug Deans, Emma Gray, Hannah Harris, Michelle Mother Hubbard, Meera Joshi, Ishi Khan, Omar Khan, Martha Kent, Daniel McVey, Eden Peppercorn, Jessy Roberts, Rukus, Esme Sears and Hollie Westwood.
The cohort represents a range of ages and ethnicities including 67% identifying as having a disability, being neurodiverse or having a long-term, chronic health condition, a third being over 35 and a global majority of 55%.
The new associates programme is aimed at early- to mid-career artists and practitioners working in theatre and live performance who are based or working in the East Midlands.
New Perspectives artistic director Angharad Jones said, “this has been our most competitive round to date and the standard of applications was outstanding.
“We’re thrilled that we’ve been able to build a cohort from a variety of disciplines with a geographical spread representational of the East Midlands, reflecting the society we live in and amplifying the voices of previously underrepresented voices in the industry.
“We know it’s more difficult than ever to start and sustain a career in the arts. The relationships we’ve formed through the new associates programme feel very special and it’s a joy to see what artists go on to do and the collaborations we see through the network.”