Earlier this week 45North announced their Seed Commission Scheme.
Targeting theatre-makers from underrepresented groups, the programme will have two strands the first of which will support three trans and gender non-conforming artists each developing an idea for live performance.
Recipients will have £1,000, a week's access to rehearsal / office space, £750 towards collaborator fees and 15 hours of mentorship and one-to-one support from scheme curator non-binary writer and performer Tabby Lamb, who said,
“Having worked with 45North myself over the past few months, I have seen first-hand how committed they are to representation and intersectionality. I am so proud to be joining them in supporting the future of Queer Theatre through this first Seed Commission Scheme of 2021. I know for a fact that trans people are some of the most talented and innovative people in the world, but due to so many systematic barriers we often don't even apply for funding, let alone know how to play the game well enough to secure it—I'm hoping that these commissions will empower artists and give them the tools to take their creation out into the world.”
Details of the second element of the scheme are not yet announced.
Applicants may be theatre-makers, writers, devisors, directors and designers who identify as gender-diverse. They should be available for interviews in early February and a six-week period in March and April.
The scheme is open for applications online only, from 10AM on 4 January to 6PM on 29 January 2021.