Tales Of Two Cities - artist development programme call out

Applications now open for artist development programme for very early career theatre artists - an international partnership between Cork Midsummer Festival and The Everyman in Cork, Ireland and MAYK and Bristol Old Vic in Bristol, UK.

Tales of Two Cities is aimed at very early career theatre artists – ie with a maximum of three years professional practice. It’s for individuals or groups of artists interested in making theatre and developing their practice in forms other than playwriting. For artists who are finding their voice and figuring out how to articulate and focus their vision. Artists must be from or based in Cork. We want to support a new cohort of theatre makers to develop their practice in Cork city and county.

Central to the programme is the opportunity to see international work, develop international networks and receive guidance from international practitioners. The programme will involve travelling to Bristol to experience work, meeting artists based in Bristol and attending workshops by artists based in Bristol. Participating artists will receive a fee to cover their time for travel, workshops, mentorship, and development sessions. Additional flights and accommodation will be provided for time spent in Bristol.

Artists will also develop the beginnings of a new idea or project throughout the programme, supported by Cork Midsummer Festival and The Everyman, and mentored by professional practitioners. The work will be developed without the pressure of having to present anything to a public audience. This is an opportunity to assimilate, to dream, and to begin to create something, whilst being influenced or excited by the work of international practitioners.

We welcome applications from all early career theatre artists based in Cork and we particularly encourage applications from members of groups who are underrepresented in the Irish arts sector.

Precious Tales of Two Cities programme participants include Loom Theatre (Eadaoin Fox and Rosa Makela), Aaron O'Neill, Candy Warhol, Andrea Williams, and Izzy Dogliani.

Application Criteria - Who Can Apply?

• You must be from or based in Cork, and in the first three years of your professional practise as an artist (not counting 2020 and 2021 due to imposed restrictions).
• You must be over 21 and not currently in undergraduate or postgraduate education.
• You can be from any performance discipline – theatre, dance, music, circus, socially engaged practise, combined arts.
• You must have availability for the key dates in the programme, and be happy to travel to Bristol.
• You must be curious, open and excited about learning from other artists in order to develop your own practise and networks.
• You can be working individually or as part of a group (one application per group).

How do I apply?

Send a CV (2 pages max) and a one page cover letter explaining how you fit the criteria, a little about your practise as an artist, why this opportunity will help you to develop your practise, and what you would like to get out of the programme. We’d also like to hear about an idea that you would like to develop as part of the programme.

Alternative to a cover letter, you can also send us a 3 minute video explaining the above.

If you need any additional support with the application process, please contact us at twocities@corkmidsummer.com and we can help you out.

Please send your application to twocities@corkmidsummer.com by midday on Friday 12 April.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Key Dates and Timeline

Friday 12 April 2024 (Noon) – Application Deadline
Friday 19 April 2024 (Afternoon) – Interviews for Short-Listed Candidates

Part 1 – Seeing Work, Soaking Up Ideas, Meeting New People

April 2024
Programme starts: key meetings with other artists and CMF / Everyman teams

May 2024
Artists assigned a mentor; initial meeting with mentor to establish goals and outcomes, including setting the direction for Research & Development days

Week of 20 May 2024
Trip to Bristol to see work, meet local and international artists. (This will be 2 - 4 days during the week of 20 May 2024)

12 - 23 June 2024
Focused time at Cork Midsummer Festival (including hosting visiting artists from Bristol first weekend of the festival); to meet artists, see national and international work, and host Bristol artists in Cork

Part 2 – Putting learning and experience into action – thinking about a new project

July - September 2024
- Research & Development (time to think, research, work to put ideas together) facilitated by The Everyman & Cork Midsummer Festival
- Mentorship sessions & development week
- One development week in a studio space

Late September / early October 2024
Return Trip to Bristol

November 2024
Final meeting, bringing together all of the participants for a final sharing of thoughts, ideas and next steps

Tales of Two Cities is supported by an Arts Council of Ireland International Residency Initiatives Scheme award.