Emerging Blackpool theatre creatives invited to apply for artist development programme

Blackpool theatre The Old Electric has announced plans for its first artist development programme, with a focus on supporting emerging and early career theatre makers.

Industry-leading artists and companies such as Frantic Assembly, Harry Clayton-Wright, Ruth E Cockburn, Les Enfants Terribles and imitating the dog will be delivering training throughout the programme. 

Named ‘Collaborate’, the free programme of professional development has been deigned by The Electric Sunshine Project to support its goal of becoming Blackpool’s first professional producing theatre. 

The selected artists will gain mentoring opportunities and a community of like-minded practitioners who will be encouraged to share showcases and pieces that are a work-in-progress. 

Melanie Whitehead, artistic director of The Electric Sunshine Project, said: ‘We’ll be prioritising places for people with an FY postcode to take part in this programme, we know that this activity is very much needed in the town and it’s great that Arts Council agree with us. It’s not just a one-off though, this will be the first of many opportunities from us to support creative careers in Blackpool.’

‘I can’t wait to see how the people of Blackpool respond, we know there’s a huge range of incredibly skilled theatre-making artists here and I’m really looking forward to seeing how their ideas, confidence and collaborations develop as a result of taking part in this developmental activity.’

Applications for the programme are currently open, and will close on 3 June at 12pm. To find out more visit https://theoldelectric.co.uk/artist-hub/artist-development