Applications are now open for the 2025-26 cohort of the Bridge the Gap Producer Programme!
Apply to be one of 10 emerging producers from underrepresented backgrounds to take part in this year long development programme; gaining skills in commercial producing through monthly workshops, a mentor, coaching sessions, tickets to shows, access to grants and more!
Deadline: 12 noon on Friday 9 May
Apply online via our website.
Not sure if it's for you? Find out some more info in our Should I Apply? guide.
Stage One created Bridge the Gap to diversify the current field of commercial theatre producers and therefore strongly encourages individuals from underrepresented backgrounds and outside of London to apply. We want to support people from a Global Majority background, who identify as working class or from a lower socio-economic background, are LGBTQIA+, those that have a disability and/or are neurodivergent and/or those from a culturally or religiously Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim or Sikh background.
Tangle’s Artistic Director Anna Coombs started WOVEN in 2023 as a safe space for African, Caribbean and Global Majority creatives living in Swindon and the surrounding areas to meet and connect as an artist-led community.
The WOVEN network offers opportunities for peer-led meetings, soft skills training and practical theatre workshops, social events, and sharing projects and working practices. Our hope is to build a community where members with diverse skillsets can connect, form working relationships and support each other.
WOVEN meetings take place in Swindon and Southampton.
WOVEN is free to join. To find out more, please email Associate Producer Stefan Kwame Boakye at the address below.
Beyond Face Youth Company is a fantastic opportunity for young people of the Global Majority aged 12-16 to work with professional theatre makers in a professional studio space to learn theatre and performance skills, perform, create their own theatre, writing and movement.
Over the years the youth company has performed their own productions such as Where’s Abi? By Titilola Dawudu and most recently their production Grow Up. We work closely with other youth theatre companies such as Doorstep Arts and Company Three on a variety of exchange projects.
The winning writer will receive £3,000 and a 9-month mentoring programme with a leading Black British playwright.
The competition is open to any playwright of Caribbean or African descent, resident in the UK, and awarded to the Most Promising Playwright based on their submission of an original, new stage play in English and their application for the award. Entrants must confirm on their CV that that they are of African or Caribbean descent.
Entries are online only and must be received not later than 5pm on 31 August 2025.
The first UK Project to promote equity for Black Dancers in Ballroom and Latin American Dance.
Black in the Ballroom aims to inspire young people of Black origin to take up Ballroom dancing as a hobby, as a competitive activity and/or as a career, by providing them an entry into the scene, an understanding of the basic and technical fundamentals of each dance style and an opportunity to perform and compete.
Please DM on Instagram @blackintheballroom to join their free dance classes in South East London.
The award has been named after the great Victorian Philanthropist, George Peabody. LSMT has established this Grant for those who are unable to afford to attend our training and who are currently underrepresented in the Industry.
The funding is designated for those of African or Caribbean heritage, South, East and South East Asian heritage, Middle-Eastern heritage or those who identify as bi-racial or multi-racial. There are several Grants of up to £5000 available.
Utopia Theatre is establishing an African Theatre Youth Academy to run regular performing arts classes and workshops to compliment the skills of young people 9-19 years with African oral storytelling and performance techniques to include acting, music, dance, learning a musical instrument, public speaking and film making etc.
What to expect: Workshops, Masterclasses, and Mentoring in a relaxed environment. A chance to participate in a performance (on stage or as part of the crew) every year
Workshops run on Thursdays.
Juniors: (9-13 years) 6-7 pm
Seniors: (14-19 years) 7-8 pm
In the final week of each month, there will be an opportunity to work with an industry expert in specific theatre skills.
Travel expenses will be covered for those who need them.
We aim to deliver a mentoring programme to a select number of participants to allow for deeper conversation, support and unique opportunities.
Mentoring programme aims:
- Improve access, education and progression opportunities for the next generation of black theatre talent.
- Provide young people with insight into theatre and the breadth of career opportunities available within the industry.
- Age specific guidance in three groups: 12-15 years, 16-18 years and 19-21 years, with mentors to provide ongoing support for young people to navigate their education and/or career.
Content explored:
- Black British Theatre history
- Contemporary jazz workshop
- Acting through song masterclass
- Lighting & sound workshop
- Costume & set design workshop
- Industry panel Q&A
A writing group for anyone aged 18+ who identifies as Black British, Black African or Caribbean.
Through fortnightly workshops the Black Writers Collective develop their own skills as writers through workshops, sharing of their own work with each other and public audiences, as well as hearing from invited industry guests. Previous guests have included Charlotte Bennett of Paines Plough, and writers and performers Nathan Bryon and Tyrell Williams.
“Thank you for giving us a space to explore, trust ourselves as writers and continued support!”
The Collective is free to join, although we may begin to operate a waiting list if there is a lot of interest.
We meet every other Monday from 7 – 8.30pm, both in person at Southwark Playhouse and online.
