Theater graduates, choose where to create your own work

INK

Based in Halesworth, Suffolk, this company gives writers the opportunity to submit new work, have it read and then, for some, see it performed at the annual INK Festival. To date, he has presented over 700 new short plays for stage and radio. Next year’s festival will take place between April 24-28, with submissions open until September 1.
inkfestival.org

Delhi Theatre

The arts charity has been running since 2008 and currently has two bases, one in Sheffield on Arley Street and another on Leadenhall Street in London. Both provide support to artists through residencies, drop-ins, jams, festivals, co-productions and in-kind support. Look out for membership schemes, which include opportunities to hire rehearsal space at discounted rates and attend a range of courses.
theatredeli.co.uk

Camden Fringe/Lambeth Fringe

These are two of London’s best festivals for emerging theater producers. Although applications for both have now closed for this year, they are still worth attending and include a range of networking and other career development opportunities alongside the shows themselves. Camden is more established, having been in operation since 2006, while Lambeth (formerly known as Clapham Fringe) is undergoing rebranding and expansion this year.
camdenfringe.com / lambethfringe.com

Theater in lira

This monthly scratch night at the Cockpit in Marylebone, London offers individuals or businesses the chance to play a 15 minute slot for a fee of £20 (plus £40 refundable deposit). Tickets cost the public just £1, hence the name. For longer pieces, the venue also hosts a monthly showcase of repeat readings called New Things. Details of how to apply for both can be found on the website.
thecockpit.org.uk

Fusei Festival

This annual summer staple in Kingston upon Thames was previously known as the International Youth Arts Festival and focuses specifically on the work of emerging young artists (under 27). Venues include the Rose Theater and Kingston College, as well as festival operator Creative Youth’s new home Fusebox and Kingston Market. The festival takes place in June-July, and applications for 2025 open in November.
creative youth charity.org

Down to zero

The Old Rep in central Birmingham has been running these monthly scratch nights since 2022. Past performances have included plays and poems as well as film and radio scripts, with many writers still enjoying professional success. It’s free to enter (and participate) – they just ask that you agree to share feedback on their other work, which seems like a fair deal.
oldreptheatre.co.uk

_ And friends

Glasgow hosts several scratch nights including Tron’s Outside Eyes and Roughly Staged at Cottiers Theatre. The newest kid on the block is _ and friends (the event title is written in lower case), which was created by producer and theater producer Catriona MacLeod at the Old Hairdresser’s. She told The Stage: “Last year was a year of consistent rejection. I just thought, “Well, I’ll do something myself.” She too made her debut last month, and the next one is due to take place in October.
linktr.ee/andfriendsglasgow

Fringe free

Doing a show in Edinburgh in August is still a viable option, especially if you attend the Free Fringe, which was founded in 1996 by Peter Buckley Hill (or PBH). The festival-within-a-festival does not charge performers and covers costs through drink sales and fundraising (attendees are reasonably asked to help with other performances). Note that it is organised, so you will need to put in a convincing application (they usually open in October).
freefringe.org.uk / freefestival.co.uk

Scratch at Jack

Held every two months at Jack Studio in Brockley, south London, this scratch night organized by Tristan White and Joseph Lidster gives theater makers the chance to share pieces of less than 10 minutes (scripts must be supplied on application). I also pass on the audience feedback that is requested after the show. It is open to artists in a wide range of genres, from plays and screenplays to sketch comedy and spoken word.
brockleyjack.co.uk

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