Supported Studio - Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres

We’re opening up our Playhouse Studio for three new productions! So, if you’re a company or creative team with a show you want to make, we want to hear from you.

Through this programme, we’ll support you to produce a new show in the Playhouse Studio, as well as providing a mixture of in-kind and direct funding.

What's on Offer?

As part of Supported Studio, you’ll get:
• A production in the Playhouse Studio. You’ll be part of our curated artistic programme, with a run from Thursday to Saturday (inc. matinee) run.
• Free space for two weeks. We’ll give you a week of rehearsal space, plus a week for tech, dress and show, free of charge.
• Technical staffing. We’ll fund a Stage Manager for your two weeks in the Studio, and a technician for your show week.
• 100% net box office income goes to you.

We’ll also support your team with:
• Funding applications. We’ll read over your funding applications (e.g. to Arts Council England), offering feedback on crafting a compelling narrative for the project.
• Dramaturgy. Our New Works Associate will offer dramaturgy on text and production, as required.
• Administration. From contracting to PRS applications, our in-house team will work with you to ensure smooth running of the project.
• Marketing. Our marketing team can help with image, copy, social media campaign, etc.

This equates to over £2,000 of direct funding and over £6,000 of in-kind support as a starting point for your funding application(s) to make up your total budget.

What are we looking for?

Eligibility

There are some criteria which must be met:
• The majority of your core creative team must live in the Liverpool City Region. This opportunity is for artists making their careers locally (see FAQs for further details).
• The production must be studio-length. We take this to mean 70mins maximum length, with no interval.
• The project must not have previously had a full production. However, scratch or work-in-progress performances, readings and other one-off iterations are all acceptable.
• The project must be made for theatre. This includes scripted and devised plays, musicals, physical theatre pieces, etc. – but excludes cabarets, revues/sketch shows and stand-up.
• Everyone working on the project must be 18 or over.

Guidelines

• The Studio is a 60-70 seat auditorium set in thrust, so you may wish to take this into account. It’s not a space for a large design, and sightlines should be considered (e.g. if you’re thinking about heavy use of projection). Technical specifications are available here.
• All artists should be paid for their work. We don’t have a limit on size of team, but we expect you to consider how to ensure fair remuneration across the project.
• In the current funding climate, it may be worth considering a contingency budget. If you’re unsuccessful in securing an Arts Council Project Grant, for example, how might the project still take place?

Decision-making

When we decide which three projects to take forward, we’ll be looking for:
• A vibrant piece of theatre for the Playhouse Studio.
• A core creative team with the experience to successfully produce work with us. You should have a core team together when you submit your application, and be able to demonstrate an appropriate experience level for making work at this scale.

How do I apply?

Apply via this online form, with the option to upload video or audio files for questions needing longer responses.

On this form, we’ll ask you to tell us about the project and the core creative team.

You can view the questions in advance here (also available in large text), and submit longer answers either in written form or as a video/audio file.

We’ll also ask you to add one supporting document. This may be:
• a script
• a portfolio of previous work (e.g. images, reviews, etc.), or
• stimuli for a devising process (e.g. articles, questions, images, etc.)

There is further information about applications in the FAQs, below.

Dates

Application process
Applications. Open Thu 8 May, close 9am Mon 9 June.
Invitations to interview. w/b 23 June.
Interviews and final decisions. w/b 7 July.

Fundraising and planning
We’ll begin working with companies immediately on funding application(s) and production planning, with a view to submitting ACE applications in late August.

Performances
Exact weeks will be agreed with the successful companies, in early 2026.

FAQs

We hope that the information here may help with further questions. However, if you still aren’t sure about something you can book to attend one of our online Q&As, or email us newworks@everymanplayhouse.com.

What counts as the ‘core creative team’?

This depends slightly on the type of project (the team for a scripted piece may differ from something devised, for example), but a core team means there’s someone with responsibility for organisation (e.g. a producer), creation of material (e.g. a writer or lead artist) and shaping the performance (e.g. a director). We know some roles may overlap, or be phrased differently, but hope this gives some useful guidelines.

What’s an ‘appropriate experience level’ for our team?

We don’t need a certain number of credits, or number of years in the industry – just the evidence that you can make the production you’re proposing.

Can creatives be listed on multiple applications?

I’m a writer with a great script but no creative team – can I still apply?

We ask that a core creative team is attached to the project at the point of application. You might consider sending us your script via the Open Submissions window, or applying for a Seed Commission or a place on one of our writers’ programmes.

Is there a limit on cast size?

No, but do note that the Studio stage is 4x5m, and that we have enough dressing room space for 3 people to work comfortably. (More space may be available, depending on the size of visiting company in the Main House). You should also consider the financial implications of your company size.

How long should my supporting document be?

Please submit scripts at their full length (we’ll read approx. 10-15 pages in the first round of decision-making), and up to 10 pages for portfolio/stimuli).

What counts as Liverpool City Region?

Can I apply if I live somewhere else?

The majority of your core creative team must be based locally, but there’s no restriction on the wider team. As part of our support for the local creative ecology, though, Supported Studio prioritises artists currently living and making work in Liverpool City Region.

Can I apply with a musical?

What if my ACE application is unsuccessful?

Our timelines should allow for two rounds of applications, but we’ll also support you to create a contingency budget to ensure that the production can go ahead regardless.

Where can I find technical specifications for the Studio?

Photograph at top of page: Raven by Abigail McKenzie. Photo by Jazamin Sinclair.