Volcano is looking once again to commission five performers to make individual short performances (around 30 minutes) at our Swansea High Street venue in April and May. This is the fourth year of this freelance commission series, which began in 2022 as Solo Duets for the Future. The idea behind this initiative is to encourage performers to develop new performance modes in front of small, enthusiastic audiences.

We’ll be shaking up the brief a little this year – instead of asking you to choose from a smorgasbord of performance spaces, we’ll be introducing some formal constraints (or “obstructions” – think Lars Von Trier / Jørgen Leth, but less cruel and demanding).

Your performance must use The Room.

The Room will be an unadorned set built onstage, with four walls and various windows. It will measure approximately 4m x 4m. It will have access at several different points. It can be adapted to your performance idea, using set dressing, painting, lighting choices, and various audience configurations. You will have a menu of objects and furnishings to choose from.

We’ll be looking for five pieces that use the set in different and imaginative ways. The performance can be about anything you wish, but (as in previous seasons) we will be looking for work that looks outward rather than in, that communicates with audiences, and that points to the future rather than dissecting the past.

Please read the FAQs before applying! When you’re ready, please submit your idea. If you have a question that isn’t answered in the FAQs, please drop us a line with your queries.

We review and shortlist applications on a rolling basis, so please get your application in as soon as you are ready. The provisional deadline is 8 March. However, applications may remain open beyond the deadline at our discretion.

Are you a young person aged 14-21 with a passion for music, creativity, or event planning?

This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary! This year, volunteers from the village will be organising a small summer music festival to support local artists & talent, and we’re inviting YOU to help shape the event from the ground up.

This isn’t just any festival – it’s a community-led project designed to support local artists while empowering young people to learn, grow, and make an impact. Whether you dream of being on stage, behind the scenes, or promoting the event to the world, there’s a place for you here.

We’re offering hands-on workshops and opportunities to develop skills in:

And that’s not all! This is your project, so we want to hear your ideas. What do you want to learn? What do you want this festival to look like? Let’s make it happen together.

Why join?

Free pizza and guardians welcome

Date and time: Wednesday 26 February, 6pm

Location: Rhosneigr Golf Club

Join our Open Rehearsals in Bristol, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Cardiff or London!

Is playing with a Regional NOYO Ensemble for you? If you’re interested in joining from September 2025, a great way to find out is to join one of our Open Rehearsals in person or online in January, February and March 2025.

This is your chance to watch a rehearsal, meet some of the Music Leaders and musicians in your region, and ask any questions you might have.

Open Rehearsals are relaxed and will take place where we rehearse, in accessible venues.

Applications for Regional NOYO Ensembles will be open from 14 February – 31 March 2025 for 11-25 year-old musicians.

We also welcome applications from young disabled people with musical potential who might not yet play an instrument but control eyegaze technology or head trackers in a way that could transfer to playing the Clarion accessible instrument.

Details of NOYO Open Rehearsals in Bristol, Birmingham, Bournemouth, London and Cardiff can be found below:

Bristol NOYO Ensemble, Beacon Music Centre, BS10 5SJ

Birmingham NOYO Ensemble, Birmingham Symphony Hall, B1 2EA

Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble, The Spire, Poole, BH15 1DF

London NOYO Ensemble, Milton Court, EC2Y 9BH

Cardiff NOYO Ensemble, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, CF10 3ER

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