For Oldham. Made in Oldham. Crafted by Oldham Artists.
If you’ve got an idea for a new live performance, this is for you. The Coliseum are inviting creatives living in Oldham to send ideas for original projects that are fresh and full of character.
We’re interested in supporting ideas that are brand new; ideas that you want to test out for the first time or something you’ve made before that you feel needs more time and space to be developed.
Your idea should be a creative risk for you as an artist, and we would like to hear about how this idea is pushing your practice in some way and what you want to learn.
You will be invited to perform a section of your new work live in 20 minutes with a simple get-in and changeover on Saturday 29 March 2025 at The Library Performance Space. You’ll also have the chance to talk to the audience and learn about the impact you’ve made on them.
WHO’S IT FOR
This is for you if you’re:
- Based in Oldham or based in Greater Manchester and currently working creatively in Oldham
- Over the age of 18, there’s no upper age limit
- Have put on a live performance before in a public setting but have not had a major commission before
- In a group of no more than five people (including you)
- Making theatre that’s devised or scripted; dance or physical theatre; spoken word or performance poetry; narrative based music using vocals or text i.e. rap, grime, musical theatre, opera – we’re interested in all of these and more, surprise us!
WHAT YOU GET
- A bursary for you and your team to make the performance, which will be worked out based on the number of people in your project (it will be at least £500 if it is a solo project)
- £200 to spend on design/R&D materials
- Travel expenses for you and your team to get to/from town to rehearse
- Three days of free space in a drama or dance studio
- Three hours with a mentor selected especially for you
- A 1:1 creative producing session with Helen Goodman (Oldham Coliseum's Artist Development Co-Ordinator) to talk about your long-term ambitions
- A 20-minute programming slot at our spring season on Saturday 29 March 2025 to ‘share’ your work-in-progress material
- A post show ‘brew and a biscuit’ feedback session with the audience, facilitated by a specialist
- Free tickets for you and your team to see a show in the Coliseum’s spring season
- Support inviting creative industry professionals to your sharing
WHEN IT IS
You’ll need to commit to three full days in residency within the period: 17 February – 8 March 2025. We can book the space based on your process and diary.
You and your team will need to be available on Saturday 29 March 2025 9am-5pm, for the sharing of your new work and to gather/hear audience feedback.
HOW TO APPLY & WHAT TO DO NEXT
The deadline is midnight on Sunday 9 February 2025.
Note: You’ll be asked to submit a video example of yourself/your group performing live, if you have one (around 2 minutes long).
If you think you’d benefit from an informal chat about your application, and/or have any access requirements please email info@coliseum.org.uk and we will find a way to support you. We want to create a community where everyone feels valued regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. We are committed to equality and diversity within our workforce and particularly encourage those from under-represented backgrounds to apply.
HOW WE WILL REACH A DECISION
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of three people following grading guidance for these criteria:
- Quality, ambition and impact of project idea
- Has the artist reflected on their own practice to demonstrate potential learning?