What we are looking for when selecting shows to commission
We are looking to commission companies / artists with an established interest and track record of working outdoors who would like to be part of this programme in the summer of 2025. All ideas are welcome, including work that responds to key cultural events happening in 2025 and that includes community engagement in the development process or are participatory. Work that focusses on sustainability issues and the environment is very popular as well as work that can relate to rural/community life.
For the commission and development opportunities your work will need to entertain and engage a diverse audience, be self-sufficient (i.e. not require technical or other support / involvement by the host organisation) and be able to be accessed by all. We programme into a range of rural and semi urban spaces – sometimes with uneven ground and limited infrastructure. Performances can be walk about, static productions (of no more than 25 minutes in length), installations or interactive durational events and are intended to suit a range of time frames and slot into existing activities. You will be expected to perform up to three times a day.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals or companies, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, social background, religion and/or belief. Applause has identified that work from the following groups is underrepresented:
• Work led by artists from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds
• Work led by d/Deaf and Disabled artists
Programming
We programme into a range of events and venues – many of them rural with little infrastructure. Your show needs to be flexible enough to be performed in a bumpy field, on a high street, by the Sea or a school playground (flat ground is not guaranteed). You will also need to perform in all weathers. Static shows should run for no longer than 25 minutes. We aim to offer each artist/company a minimum of 6 bookings between May – October 2024 within the Applause core region (Kent, East and West Sussex, Essex) and further afield, however depending on the companies availability the minimum number of dates is not guaranteed.
Show Fee Guide
Touring Fees must be fully inclusive of all VAT, accommodation and travel. We expect to pay within the range of £450 – £850 per show (in our core region) depending on size of company. Uplifts for dates secured outside our core region will be subject to additional negotiation.
Travel
When applying, consider that we may book solo dates across our core region of Kent, East and West Sussex and Essex so please bear this in mind when working out travel costs and if touring with Applause is viable both financially and environmentally.
Technical Challenges
We will be placing work in a variety of community settings including events that can provide very little technical or other support – the more technical requirements you have, the fewer the possible bookings. We need you to be technically self-sufficient (including PA/set etc).
Availability
Your show must be ready and available for touring from the end of April. You need to have very good availability for weekends throughout May to October 2024. You will also be asked to prioritise dates for Applause within an agreed time frame for shows in Kent, East and West Sussex, Essex and to pass on any direct contacts within this region so that we can support the development of our volunteer hosts and programmers.
Artist / Company Administration
Artist / company administration needs to be very strong. Applause will be responsible for booking a place and date for your show but the company will then be responsible for making specific arrangements and finalising details with host venues and promoters. Many of these hosts are volunteers and have no specialist theatre knowledge – you will need to be flexible, understanding and informative. We will also require you to support our marketing of events creating material for social media and general PR.
Sustainability
To illustrate how your company can produce responsibly, considering your green footprint, limiting waste and prioritising recycling and re-using wherever possible.
Support
We will expect most of the development work to take place between November 2024 and March/April 2025. Applause has a strong track record in supporting artists throughout the development process and will be on hand to review the work and give feedback when required.
Applications will be via our online platform EVENTOTRON. If you are already registered with Eventotron you can apply to Applause Outdoor Season 2025. Otherwise, you will need to register first and then apply to the season above.
