Selected artists will receive teaching and masterclasses from theatre practitioners, leaders, and artists, including three weeks of teaching from world renowned director Katie Mitchell. Other masterclass leaders include Tarik Elmoutawakil, Omar Elerian, Natalie Ibu, Rachael Young and others. Many of these sessions will take place on Zoom.
Reflecting how The Yard makes theatre, Live Lab broadens out the definition of ‘directing’ to any artist who leads a team of people making a show for an audience, whether they work with a writer and actors or not. The programme is aimed at artists whose work and practice relate to these ideas and who want to stretch, challenge, and enrich their current creative practice.
Each artist will also receive a bursary of £1,200, as well as a week of research and development in April 2021, including a £500 fee, a budget of £1,000, rehearsal space and the opportunity to share the results onstage at The Yard.
The theatre has held back at least three places for those who are of Black African, African Caribbean, South Asian, East Asian, South West Asian, North African, Arab or Latinx heritage, or those artists from communities who are marginalised for their race. Additionally, at least one place will be given to an artist who identifies as deaf or disabled, as 'these artists have historically been underrepresented in directorial roles at The Yard and elsewhere'.
Katie Mitchell said, ‘I'm really looking forward to teaching on this programme. Now more than ever, it feels important to support and empower artists to develop strong signature work. I'm excited to meet the artists, hear their ideas, and support them in the evolution of their directing careers.’
Newly-appointed associate director at The Yard, Cheryl Gallacher, said, ‘As we experience a second lockdown and uncertainty around the pandemic, The Yard's Live Lab aims to offer some hope: an opportunity to reimagine the future of theatre with a group of creative practitioners. I'm excited to support and work with the group as together we generate new and exciting ideas for the stage for a time when we can reach audiences again.’
The deadline for applications is 30 November at 10am. The programme begins in January 2021.
This project follows the announcement of funding through the government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
To find out how to apply, visit the website.