Based at Bath’s Theatre Royal, the Egg Theatre has announced OPENstart, a new talent development initiative designed to support the next generation of underrepresented theatre-makers in the South-West to develop their skills, build networks and take their next steps into the theatre industry.
OPENstart will combine paid work with structured mentoring, professional development, networking and practical experience to help participants build sustainable careers in the creative industries.
The scheme is designed for both emerging and established creatives who are looking to develop their careers within theatre and the wider creative industries.
Aimed at creating new routes in for those disproportionately represented in the theatre industry, applications are encouraged from global majority creatives. The first opportunities on offer will be a 12-month fixed-term salaried role alongside six paid freelance development pathways.
The new scheme provides the chance to develop skills alongside experienced theatre professionals while contributing to ambitious creative work at The Egg.
Head of Engagement, Janine Soloman-Gardner, said: “At The Egg, we believe theatre should be a place where people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences can see themselves, find their voice, develop their creativity and imagine what is possible. Our work is about more than creating exceptional theatre for children and young people; it is also about creating the opportunities for people to participate, learn, create and develop at every stage of their lives and careers.
We are committed to a theatre engagement programme that is genuinely representative of the communities it serves, where young people, adults and emerging artists are not simply audiences or participants, but contributors, creators and decision-makers. For me, equity, inclusion and youth voice are not additions to what we do; they are fundamental to how we work, and to the kind of creative community we are building.”
The initiative will launch on Thursday 22 October, with a launch event at The Egg Theatre highlighting a range of young talent from previous iterations of OPENstart and offering a chance to network and connect, with an open mic night hosted by Kiota – a Bristol collective of performance artists from the global majority that showcases creatives across various artistic disciplines.
Applications will then open for emerging artists and global majority creatives to apply for paid opportunities, including creative trainee and creative associate roles.
There will also be a program of events, masterclasses, and opportunities for existing artists to offer support in various ways that will include script reading, advice clinics and workshops throughout the year.
OPENstart is one of several initiatives run by The Egg as part of its commitment to diversify participation. Other initiatives include the TRB Youth Council in partnership with Theatre Royal Bath’s Board and Engagement Department – which launched last year – to give young people access to the industry that they may otherwise never get.
The Council consists of three Theatre Royal Bath Board Associates aged 20 to 30; ten Youth Council Members aged 10 to14; twelve participants on the Youth Committee aged between 14 and 18; and three Artistic Associates with additional needs aged 12 to14.
Further information on the available roles can be found on the Theatre Royal Bath website: theatreroyal.org.uk
OPENstart is funded by the Garek Charitable Trust and HandSpark Charitable Trust. OPENstart launches at The Egg Theatre from Thursday 22 October
