Theatre Royal Plymouth unveils new strategy to support local artists and creatives

Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) has launched a brand new programme to support artists and creatives from Plymouth and the wider South West region, helping individuals and companies to develop new work, connect and collaborate.

The reimagined Artist Development strategy focuses on three strands of work, intrinsically linked to its 50-seat studio and workshop space, The Lab. The strands comprise of Experiment; which looks at funding and programming opportunities, Fuse; which provides free opportunities for artists to connect with each other, access rehearsal space, attend workshops and engage with the arts across TRP’s three stages, and Co-Lab; which will build on TRP’s relationships with industry partners to seek further development and touring opportunities.

A launch event, hosted by TRP CEO and Executive Producer, James Mackenzie-Blackman, Executive Director, Producing and Programming, Liz King, and Associate Directors, Sara Rhodes, Malaika Kegode, John Haidar and Tom Jackson Greaves. was held on Friday 7 June. The Associate Directors said: “This launch marks a new era of collaboration between TRP and the local theatre ecology within Plymouth and the wider region. We are committed to supporting those with a passion for working in the arts, on stage and off, and those who want to grow within the industry. Our new Artist Development programme will provide opportunities for those individuals and groups, allowing us to work together and support each other to thrive.”

The new offering will include quarterly events for artists to network and forge creative collaborations with each other, TRP and other regional venues while also providing behind the scenes access. TRP is working with industry partners to support the scheme including Paines Plough, Pleasance Theatre, Projekt Europa and Beyond Face, as well as maintaining its relationships with world class visiting companies including Dance Consortium, Welsh National Opera, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and Birmingham Royal Ballet who will continue to bring their own artistic development projects to Plymouth. 

As part of the relaunch, The Lab will present emerging work across two seasons, supported by its Associate Directors and producing team, which will cultivate diverse audiences who will invest in and support the future life of new productions.

For further information about the Artist Development programme, watch the video here or visit www.theatreroyal.com/take-part/artist.