Ignite: Exeter’s Festival of Theatre 2012

25th June to 7th July

 

A call for submissions

Opportunity for live performers from across the region and beyond to share and celebrate their new performance work.

Ignite is a 14 day celebration of new live performance work from the South West and beyond. It will host events in a number of venues across the city. It is an affordable opportunity for artists, performers and companies to preview their Edinburgh shows or as a local alternative to an exciting festival experience, aiming to create a diverse and inspiring summer festival programme.

We are open to proposals of any live performance including theatre, dance, comedy and live art. The four core venues can cater for many different types of performance; there has also been an expression of interest from a number of smaller, non-theatre spaces in the city.

The Bike Shed Theatre is an intimate sixty-seat theatre, tucked away near the centre of the city. It has an atmospheric auditorium with red brick walls and a flagstone floor, and would be most suitable for new writing or other scripted work. Opening in 2010, the theatre has built a national reputation for producing and receiving quality work, specifically with new writers, culminating in winning a Peter Brook Empty Space Award in November 2011. www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk

The New Theatre is an intimate studio space seating 80 with a good sized stage. It is a short walk from the city centre just above Exeter’s historic Quay. Home to the Cygnet Training Company, who produce 6-8 productions each year, The New Theatre also hosts a range of performances by visiting companies. Measuring 10m wide and 8m deep the New Theatre is ideal for larger-cast theatre productions of classic texts and new writing as well as dance, physical theatre and acoustic music. We welcome submissions from emerging and established artists and companies. www.cygnetnewtheatre.com

Technical Specifications New Theatre

Exeter Phoenix is a multi-artform venue in the heart of the city, with a variety of spaces, ranging from a 200-seater auditorium to a 40-seater studio. The performance programme has a strong live art/intermedia flavour. Proposals must include details of the work, CV and tech spec. www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

The Exeter Northcott Theatre is a contemporary 460 seat venue with a large stage and flytower; part of the forestage can be removed to reveal an orchestra pit if required.  All types of performance work well in the theatre which hosts a year round programme of touring drama, opera, dance and family theatre.  Located on the University of Exeter Streatham Campus the theatre plays a key role in the cultural life of the city.  The theatre works well for smaller scale work and we successfully present smaller shows using the front section of the auditorium only (142 seats) or the stage itself for a really intimate performance.  The theatre bar can also host small performances for up to 50 people. There are other interesting spaces within the building and on Campus including extensive grounds, piazzas and buildings (some of which are still under construction but will be ready by the Festival) – so if you have a promenade idea this could be a good setting.  For the Ignite Festival we are looking for interesting ideas from emerging and established artists and companies that make the most of the range of spaces on offer on Campus.  Please see our website for more info about our programming policy and what we are looking for from a submission.  www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

The festival is supported by Exeter City Council who will be assisting with the co-ordination of the festival. We will produce a brochure for the festival, but each company is strongly advised to prepare publicity of their own.

Each venue will discuss specific terms directly with the companies that are performing in their space. There are no charges for venue hire.

If you are interested in taking part in the festival, please contact the most suitable venue. All information is shared between the venues – please do not send the same submission to more than one venue.

Exeter Northcott creative@exeternorthcott.co.uk
Exeter Phoenix programming@exeterphoenix.org.uk
The Bike Shed Theatre festival@bikeshedtheatre.co.uk
The New Theatre CygnetArts@btconnect.com

Deadline for applications: 6th January 2012