Reach

Reach

Supporting five emerging disabled writers to develop shows.

Reach is a space for disabled storytellers to create work that does not have to be explored through a non-disabled gaze. It allows you to write universally, to talk about disability in your work – or to not talk about it – and to be free to create what you want to create, instead of what you’re expected to. It gives you the space to define the future trends in theatre instead of responding to them, choosing new directions, new work, and new stories. It moves you beyond the tropes about disabled people and the stories we’re encouraged by non-disabled people to share, and enables you to create work that is bold, intimate, and your own.

Who we’re looking for

Reach supports five emerging UK-based disabled* theatremakers to develop the script for a full-length show through a 4-month development programme. We’re looking for artists who have a strong idea of what their show is, what makes it unique and the audience it’s for. We’re also looking for people who like to work in collaborative group settings, and feel the structure of Reach will be beneficial in helping them to develop their work.

The piece can be a solo show or an ensemble piece (for up to three performers) and we’re open to applications from writer-performers and those who just want to write.

*By disabled, we mean “all people who face disableist [including audist or neurotypist] barriers”, or “people who identify themselves as disabled and/or are identified by others as disabled in society”. To find out more about what we mean by this, please look at our website.

What the programme involves

The 4-month programme features writers’ group sessions, 1:1 dramaturgy sessions and workshops, as well as a midpoint residential focused on writing, and a final residential geared towards embedding performance skills, culminating in a sharing of excerpts of the work, with an invited audience including industry professionals. This programme is run by Nickie Miles-Wildin.

Peer facilitated sessions, 1:1 dramaturgy sessions and workshops will take place online, with captions, rest breaks, and BSL interpretation where required, and we aim to meet other access requirements across the programme as far as possible. As an access requirement, we can also create a hybrid offering for the residentials.

Programme dates

The Reach programme dates are below. We expect Reach participants to be able to attend all of these sessions. Exceptions will be made for missing occasional dates.

  • Wednesday 18 June: Writers’ Group Session 1 – 7.30pm – 9.30pm (online)
  • Wednesday 2 July: Writers’ Group Session 2 – 7.30pm – 9.30pm (online)
  • Wednesday 16 July: Writers’ Group Session 3 – 7.30pm – 9.30pm (online)
  • Wednesday 30 July: Writers’ Group Session 4 – 7.30pm – 9.30pm (online)
  • Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 August: Writing Residential, 10am – 6pm (in person)
  • Wednesday 6 August: Writers’ Group Session 5 – 7.30pm – 9.30pm (online)
  • Friday 8 – Wednesday 13 August: 1:1 Dramaturgy Sessions – 2 hours by arrangement (online)
  • Wednesday 27 August: Final Script Delivery (online)
  • Monday 8 – Friday 15 September: Performance Residential – 10am – 6pm
Payment

Reach artists will receive a total of £1,100 for the development of their script at peer facilitated sessions, 1:1 sessions and the residentials, and the final script delivery. Hotel, travel and per diems for the residentials will also be provided by CRIPtic Arts as required.

More information

Please read our FAQs, which contain more information about the programme and what we’re looking for.

We will upload the transcript & slides from our artist Q&A Session to the FAQs page.

Apply to become a Reach artist

Applications are now closed.

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