Get Involved as a Performer

We have now finished programming for the period September 2008 - March 2009. The deadline for applications for our next annual Menu (for shows touring between Sept 2009 and May 2010) is January 14th 2009. You can apply to us by completing the application form below.

How do we get involved?

Live & Local recommends companies and artists through an annual Menu published in February. This contains performances of all shapes and sizes, art forms and for all types of audiences. Our local promoters choose up to three shows from this menu for the following year.

Firstly you have to get into the Menu but this does not generally guarantee performances as thereafter you have to be chosen by the local Promoters. We will either (1) reserve specific dates with you, which would be confirmed or otherwise by mid May. Or (2) we would offer you as generally available and get in touch to books dates by mid May. Or (3) occasionally we will commit and contract specific dates at the time of publishing the Menu.

How do you select the performers for inclusion in the Live & Local Menu?

Live & Local selects performances through recommendation and research, using information gathered from other touring schemes, our promoters, mainstream venues, showcases, other companies and by investigating unsolicited information sent to us. Also, if you are touring in the Midlands, please let us know. Where possible, we or our Promoters try to see shows we are considering for the Menu.

You should have the capacity to engage positively with Live & Local Promoters and their target audiences, and be able to resolve the technical, marketing and administrative challenges inherent in non-mainstream venues and have high production values that are not compromised by performing in Live & Local venues.

Not having done this type of work before does not discount you, although companies offering different, entertaining shows which are appropriate and sympathetic to the venues and volunteers we work with are more likely to be considered.

What about the venues?

The majority of our venues are voluntary-run organisations serving a distinct local and small rural (some urban) catchment area. They organise a maximum of 3 Live & Local events per year and have few resources apart from time, enthusiasm and an unequipped, non-theatre venue with 150 seats or less.

Their stages are rarely suitable for drama therefore we are often dealing with flat floor spaces and need to know how you would overcome the inherent sightline problems.

When do you make decisions?

We start shortlisting from mid December and make final decisions about what will go into our Menu by mid-January each year. The Menu is printed and distributed in late February and it covers the season from September of that year to Spring the following year.

Because of the number of applications we receive, we are only able to follow up those who we are definitely interested in featuring in our Menu. One of the main reasons we don’t select companies is to avoid duplication in the menu, and we always welcome applications for the following year.

Find out more about us.

To enable you to find out a bit more about Live & Local, please study the downloadable Fact sheet before you apply – you may find that we’re not right for you or that you’re not right for us!

Company Enquiry Form: Live & Local application form.
Fact Sheet 10: Information for artists and companies who are considering putting themselves forward for work on the Live & Local community performance scheme.
Fact Sheet 13: Guidelines for providing Company print.

Live and Local - Surprising Shows In Surprising Places