Flying Solo Artists Commission
This March Flying Solo Festival returns to Contact for 2 weeks celebrating solo and one-to-one performance. Flying Solo presents bold and diverse performances across theatre, live art, spoken word, music and dance. Alongside the public programme, each year around 10 selected artists work with more established performers to gain the experience and confidence to develop their own solo work, through masterclasses and workshop activity.
The commission:
Each year Contact works in partnership with MC Amsterdam, Fuel and The Albany to offer an artist a commission and year-long support to create a new solo show. The chosen artist receives a £3k project commission, mentoring ranging from artistic, technical, fundraising and marketing support, and rehearsal space. MC Amsterdam also provides the opportunity to develop the new solo show in their venue where you will receive 1 week additional rehearsal space (expenses covered by Contact and MC Amsterdam) working alongside theatre professionals to develop your show, including a sharing of your work there. The selected artist will also receive mentoring sessions from Fuel and support and the opportunity to show their work at The Albany, Deptford.
Who can apply?
Any artist over 18 can apply who has an idea for a new solo or one-to-one show, and is serious about making performance. You may have already created other solo shows, or this may be your first. You may be an emerging or more established artist.
The majority of the residency will take place in Manchester. Although you do not have to live or work in Manchester, you will be expected to spend time developing your show here, and to cover the cost of this within the commission budget.
PLEASE NOTE, you need to be able to attend all of the Flying Solo master classes (12-15 March 2014 1pm – 4pm) and the Pitch event (15 March evening), as part of the selection process.
How to apply:
1. Please provide a one-pagedeclaration of interest describing who you are, your idea for a new solo performance, why you want to collaborate internationally and why now is the right time for you to fly solo;
2. Include an up to 10-minute video clip of your work (YouTube or Vimeo links).
8-10 shortlisted artists will then be invited to attend 4 days of master classes with established artists and industry experts at Contact, Manchester, during Contact’s Flying Solo Festival, before presenting your idea for a solo show to a live audience and panel made up of festival partners. The winner of the commission will then be announced at the end of the evening.
The master classes and development workshops are free for all shortlisted artists, as well as providing free tickets to see all shows at Flying Solo on the evenings of the sessions. Please note we cannot cover travel or expenses for this period.
Dates and times for the masterclasses: 1pm – 4pm daily on Wednesday 12th March to Saturday 15th March. Please note you must be available for these days to participate in the commission selection.
Date for the live pitch: Saturday 15th March
Commission timescale: March 2014 – March 2015
Send your application, along with examples of your work to: elizabethtait@contactmcr.com by Thursday 13th February at 5pm.
To find out more about Contact please visit: www.contactmcr.com
To find out more about the partners please visit their websites:
www.mconline.nl www.thealbany.org.uk www.fueltheatre.com