Are you an artist testing the boundaries of what theatre can be?
Independent companies have always been at the forefront of theatrical innovation, with ideas generated and nurtured on the fringes driving the evolution of the art form. These ideas might at first seem wild and impossible, requiring time, space, and access to often cost-prohibitive equipment and materials to experiment, test, fail, and refine.
This past year, New Diorama has undertaken a major period of upgrade and renewal to our technical infrastructure, and we're ready to celebrate by inviting artists to push our theatre to the limit. We believe in a future where design isn't an afterthought, and where independent artists have access to the resource they need to to weave all of the tools of theatre making into their processes from the earliest stages.
Across winter, we are partnering with HOME in Manchester and The Centre for Performance, Technology, and Equity (PTEQ) at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama to launch an ambitious pilot programme of technical R&D residencies, putting access to space, kit, and mentorship in the hands of bold and innovative theatre makers.
We are on the lookout for six projects to support this year, with the specific focus areas and interests of each host organisation outlined below.
The Offer:
Eligibility:
This opportunity is open to independent theatre companies, ensembles, or collectives developing new projects in which design and technology are a core part of the intended theatrical form and are critical to the R&D process. You will be expected to have specific guiding questions or enquiries around design and the use of technology that will drive your experiments during your residency week.
We are particularly interested in supporting companies using devised, collaborative, or non-traditional making processes for whom access to space and equipment is critical for testing ideas. We're also interested in approaches from collaborations in which designers are the lead artists and/or the makers approach devising from a multidisciplinary, design-driven perspective.
The programme will best suit projects at earlier stages of development (including brand new ideas), and is not intended as an opportunity to finish work that is near completion.
We will reserve 50% of the residency spaces for companies led by artists who are currently under-represented in the programmes of the partner organisations and the wider theatre sector.
In order to maximise the impact of this resource, NPOs and commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
Selection Process:
Applications will be shortlisted by the artistic team at New Diorama Theatre, and final selections will be made in collaboration with the artistic teams at HOME and PTEQ.
The selection process will focus on the necessity of the technical infrastructure to the project idea, the rigour of the R&D question(s), the suitability of the project to the host organisation's artistic remit and expertise, and the variety and balance of the projects within the chosen cohort.
New Diorama Residencies:
New Diorama Theatre is a leading studio theatre in Central London, the first of its kind dedicated entirely to the growth of collaborative and devised theatre, with a particular emphasis on supporting independent companies and ensembles.
The residency will take place in the Theatre with the following weeks on offer: w/c 18th January 2027 & w/c 25th January 2027.
New Diorama is particularly interested in supporting devising companies using our new technical resources — including projection mapping, live-feed video, and a motorised lighting rig — as tools for experimentation and discovery. NDT is especially keen to hear from projects where design and technology are integral to the making of the work: shaping its theatrical language, dramaturgy, and form from the outset.
HOME Residencies:
HOME is Manchester's premier multi-arts centre, collaborating with UK and international artists across theatre, cinema, and visual art.
The residency will take place in Arch 1 at HOME Arches, a bespoke artist development hub designed to support artists across a variety of disciplines in Greater Manchester, with the following weeks on offer: w/c 1st February 2027 or w/c 8th February 2027.
HOME is particularly interested in supporting artists based in Greater Manchester exploring the potential of cinematic languages, moving image, and projection as design tools for theatrical storytelling, with projects sitting at the intersection of theatre design and cinematography.
PTEQ Residencies:
The Centre for Performance, Technology, and Equity at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama is a research centre in Central London that brings together researchers, practitioners, and industry partners to champion equity-driven and innovative approaches to performance technology on a global stage.
The residency will take place in one of PTEQ's studio spaces onsite at Royal Central, with the following weeks on offer: w/c 25th January 2027 or w/c 8th February 2027.
PTEQ is particularly interested in supporting artists exploring cutting-edge performance technologies such as spatial audio, live coding, motion capture, robotics, immersive projection design, VR, and more. PTEQ is especially keen to hear from artists who have not previously been resourced to work at scale with these technologies.
Apply Now!
Applications for the programme are now open. The deadline to apply is Thursday 8th October at 11:00pm.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by Friday 13th November.
For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!
