Digital big-hitter YouTube steps up to support the theatre industry.
The issue of ‘what is theatre when it’s online?’ is to be addressed by the Digital Theatre Initiative.
Supported by Google company YouTube, the new scheme involves funding and mentoring of artists to support the theatre industry through innovation in digital theatre and greater accessibility eventually leading to attendance at live performance.
Four applicants will be selected to receive £10,000 to £20,000 to enable the creation of up to four new pieces of work with support through the production process from YouTube. Mentoring will come from YouTube experts and their content agency Remedy Inc.
The window for applications is now open with a deadline of 6PM on 7 April. The application process includes attending a YouTube Masterclass on 29 March with the selected participants announced on 4 May.
The application form and detailed information is available online. Applications are encouraged from organisations and artists from any background to ensure that the Initiative is representative of society.
The final four will be chosen by a panel to include Hannah Bentley from Arts Council England, Matthew Byam Shaw from Playful Productions, production designer Bunny Christie OBE, poet and playwright Inua Ellams, actress and author Dame Sheila Hancock, Charlotte Longstaff from LW Theatres and director and author Bijan Sheibani.