Scratching the Itch: Scratch Night Commission, Halfpace Theatre & Ensemble Not Found

Halfpace Theatre & Ensemble Not Found are on the lookout for unconventional shows that don't fit into traditional scripted scratch nights. From devised pieces to performance art to interdisciplinary work, we want to see all the wild ideas you haven't found a platform for yet. We want things that are raw, unfinished, urgent and unexpected - we're not looking for your cleverest ideas, but rather things that truly push the boundaries of what performance can be.

We will showcase 6 pieces at a scratch night on 22 May at New Diorama Theatre.

What support you will get:
-A small bursary of £100 per performance group
-Mentorship during and after the scratch night
-Minimum of 3 hours free rehearsal space
-Tech support for your performance

You can apply as a group with an existing idea OR as an individual artist looking to get put into a 'working group' to devise a new piece for the night.

We are prioritising applications from migrant artists, but all marginalised artists are welcome to apply. Please fill out the application form no later than 2pm on Tuesday, 14 April to be considered.

This is a scratch night dedicated to early stage, non-conventional work. Please note we are highly unlikely to programme scripted pieces or work that has received a significant amount of support and/or development opportunities already.

Making It Work is an initiative aiming at building support networks with and for new migrant artists in the UK. It was started in 2023 by Ensemble Not Found and Halfpace Theatre, two migrant-led theatre companies based in the UK. Making It Work encourages migrant work in the UK by providing free & low cost workshops, mentorship, community-building events, scratch nights and showcases for migrant work. Most importantly, Making It Work is about envisioning a space in which new migrant artists in the UK feel supported and seen.

This round of Making It Work is possible thanks to support from New Diorama Theatre, Unity Theatre Trust, & Arts Council England.