Applications are now open for A Pleasance Scratch on 18th & 25th November!
The Pleasance is proud to support a large number of developing artists every year through our various Pleasance Futures initiatives, and our scratch nights are an opportunity for you to have the first glimpse at what these talented theatre makers are creating next.
We offer the free opportunity to perform on our Main House stage, free rehearsal space, free photography and mentoring through our theatre department.
We provide:
Each project should:
Deadline: Friday 25th September, 6PM
For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!
We’re looking for six short plays, and actors to perform in them.
LEG BREAKERS is a scratch night. It's an opportunity for writers to push themselves, to try new things, or just give it a go. It’s open to anyone, whether this is your first play, or your hundred and first.
This time we have a prompt that the scripts should be written to. It goes like this: A threshold has been reached. A decision must be made, or a step must be taken. This is the most important moment of their life or lives, but this doesn’t have to be clear.
If your script is selected, it’ll be performed at the event in front of a supportive audience. We provide dramaturgy, rehearsal time, and you’ll also receive audience feedback.
WRITER CALLOUT:
We’re looking for six original short plays up to 15 minutes. This is roughly 13-15 pages in size 14. The plays should be inspired by and written to our prompt. Fresh, scrappy pieces are encouraged - just hit us with your best shot.
PROMPT // Leg Breakers 002 - THRESHOLD
A threshold has been reached. A decision must be made, or a step must be taken. This is the most important moment of their life or lives, but this doesn't have to be known to them.
Bonus points if you include a joke that makes nobody in the audience laugh.
We're looking for bold, strange, heartfelt, funny, furious, and everything in between when exploring the prompt above. Most of all, we want it to sound like you. No stress, no worries, no judgement, just hit us with your best shot, and we’ll love it no matter what.
Please submit your script as a PDF, in a clear and legible font such as Arial or Garamond, size 14. Submissions must be in the English language, as we don't currently have the capacity to translate work. We encourage restraint in terms of cast size, to a maximum of 4 characters.
Each selected piece will be performed by our team of actors, with dramaturgical support, photography, and video footage provided, so you’ll get a real sense of how your work lands in the room. While our actors might not exactly fit the specific casting for your piece, we invite you to treat this as a chance to explore and play, rather than something restrictive. All writers will also be required to share marketing copy about their script as well as contribute to our website advertising the evening with content about their plays and their work so far.
Deadline: Friday 2 October 2026
Fee for selected writers: £250
Date of event: Friday 27 November 2026
We welcome writers at all stages — whether you’re brand new or have a few scripts under your belt. We believe new writing is vital to the survival of theatre, and to capture the strange time we’re living through.
If anything’s unclear or you’ve got questions, drop us a line at info@cloudburstltd.co.uk.
PERFORMER CALLOUT:
We are looking to assemble a team of Greater Manchester based talent who are passionate about bringing new writing to life. We're currently looking for four performers and are keen to hear from recent graduates, anyone who considers themselves to be emerging and those often underrepresented on our stages.
Leg Breakers is an encouraging and supportive environment for creatives to connect and develop new work.
Please submit your Bio, Website, Spotlight or Showreel Link for consideration.
Application Deadline: Friday 2 October 2026
Rehearsal Dates: 25, 26, 27 November 2026
Performance Date: 27 November 2026
Fee: £420.00 (3 days @ £140 per day)
If anything’s unclear or if you’ve got questions, drop us a line on info@cloudburstltd.co.uk.
This is a paid opportunity. Deadline is October 2nd 2026.
For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Fearless. Collaborative. Powered by young voices. Generator is ThickSkin’s ambitious company for young professional theatre makers, designed to launch the next generation of fearless talent.
The Generator Company will create a brand-new piece of theatre — devised from the ground up, in collaboration with our Artistic Director. Developed and performed at our studio in the heart of Wigan, this show will spotlight raw talent, local stories, and ThickSkin’s trademark visual and physical style.
Sign up to our open auditions for this paid opportunity to perform in ThickSkin’s Generator Company.
Places are allocated on first come first served basis until full.
ThickSkin is looking for ten talented young performers aged 18-25 to join our Generator Company next Spring. Over two intensive weeks in Wigan, you’ll create and perform a brand-new theatre piece, while fully immersing yourself in our innovative creative process.
KEY INFO:
DEADLINE: 17 Nov 2026
For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Want to do more creative freelancing work, but not sure where to begin?
Why not book in a 1 hour 121 with our team to receive personalised support? Maybe you need some support navigating HMRC and self-assessment or would like some pointers on how to organise yourself as a freelancer - get in touch, let us know how we can help and book in a 1 hour 121.
KEY INFORMATION:
Artsadmin offers free one‑to‑one micro‑mentoring for UK‑based artists, producers and creatives working in contemporary performance, socially engaged and live art practice at any career stage.
Creative Support Sessions are friendly, one-to-one conversations with a member of Artsadmin’s team where you can explore your ideas, develop projects, and talk through any professional questions. They are informal, confidential, and tailored to your needs.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Sessions usually last 45–60 minutes and each artist can access one free session per year. You can use a session to:
Sessions can be delivered either online via Microsoft Teams or in person at Toynbee Studios in East London, subject to staff availability. We can provide closed captions for online sessions. We aim to make these sessions as accessible as possible. Let us know your access requirements when booking, and we will work with you to support your needs.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Creative Support sessions are for artists, producers, and creatives working across contemporary performance, interdisciplinary arts, and socially engaged practice. We work with people at every stage of their careers, offering practical guidance, space to reflect, and opportunities to develop sustainable creative practices.
For more information and to book, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Want to feel completely connected to your physicality on stage? Explore how movement works as a powerful storytelling tool in contemporary performance. Whether you are an actor, dancer, or poet, this project will unlock your full physical confidence.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN:
WHO IT'S FOR:
ESSENTIAL INFO:
For more information and to sign up, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Explore where physical skills meet contemporary storytelling in the exciting world of circus theatre.
Whether your background is in theatre, dance, circus or cabaret, expand your creative toolkit, discover how to build imaginative narratives, and collaborate with other performance makers to create something entirely new.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN:
WHO IT'S FOR:
ESSENTIAL INFO:
For more information and to sign up, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Looking to hone your stage skills? Whether you’re interested in acting, dancing, or just performing on stage, this weekly Theatre Drop-In gives you space to stay creative, build confidence, and explore new approaches to performance.
Each session offers a fresh focus, from improv and ensemble work to devising and cabaret. Led by experienced facilitators who’ll help you experiment, play, and develop your craft in a supportive, relaxed environment. You can join every week or drop in whenever you can – each session stands alone.
WHAT DO I GET BY TAKING PART?
WHO IS TEACHING THE PROJECT?
Phao May is a Movement Director, Director, Choreographer and Facilitator, working across stage and screen in London. She attained a foundation in Acting from RADA in 2014, and later an MA in Movement Directing and Teaching from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2022. She has collaborated with Soho Theatre, The Bush, and National Youth Theatre and created work for Edinburgh Fringe and The Vaults. Her creative work spans plays, devised work, commercials, music videos and live comedy, working with trained actors and musicians, community groups and comedians.
Isaac Jordan is a theatre director, writer and facilitator. His work focuses on the intersection of community heritage, theatre and storytelling: exploring ways to celebrate and strengthen everyday communities. As well as working with the Roundhouse, he has collaborated with organisations including the Natural History Museum, SPID Theatre, the Pink Singers, UCL, Half Moon Theatre and Richmond Theatre.
Plus guests! We will also have guest tutors for some sessions who will bring their expertise from different elements of theatre and performance.
DO I NEED ANY PARTICULAR SKILLS OR EXPERIENCE TO TAKE PART?
You don’t need any specific skills, but this will be most relevant to people who have done at least a bit of theatre or dance before. Open to all levels – we welcome back people who have attended previous terms.
HOW TO JOIN:
This is a drop in session, just come to the front desk of Roundhouse Studios and pay £2 on arrival. It’s first come first serve with limited spaces so we ask that you arrive fifteen minutes before the start time at the latest to sign in. Latecomers will be admitted only if there is space.
ESSENTIAL INFO:
For more information and to sign up, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Ready to bring theatre’s most iconic showdowns to life safely? From the dramatic to the comedic, this half-term project will teach you the fundamentals of stage combat and how to use them to perform some of Shakespeare’s best-known scenes.
You don’t need to be an expert in Shakespeare to take part or have any previous combat experience. Our facilitators will guide your own discovery of the world of Shakespeare and art of stage combat!
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN:
WHO IT'S FOR:
ESSENTIAL INFO:
For more information and to sign up, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Do you have a passion or idea and want to start your own business? Gain the confidence, knowledge, skills, and techniques to start your own business and become self-employed!
Our self employment programme has been developed specifically to cater to the needs of young people with disabilities and autism.
We can arrange individual or small group sessions in any of the following areas:
We can support you to develop bespoke self-employment advice that matches your skillset passions and talent!
Contact Caroline for more information:
For more information and to refer yourself, click the Opportunity Info link below!
