We're excited to announce a new pilot programme called LABS, a series of professional development and community-building events for theatre-makers in Scotland.
Taking place for the first time in May and June 2023, LABS will offer both introductory and advanced training in embodiment, play, storytelling and collaborative creation, and will also introduce a new forum for performance companies in Scotland making, touring, and producing their own devised work.
The first strand of this project is our Summer Training workshop, a counterpoint to our annual Winter Training, and will run every June. Over the course of three days, we'll explore movement, voice, and imagination in freeing creativity, developing confidence and resilience, and reestablishing connections between people in a rigorous and playful way. More info, dates and how to apply coming soon!
The second strand is Practice Labs and Story Labs, our new advanced training sessions. These are paid opportunities for professional performers to work more in depth with Company of Wolves. Because we are learning how these sessions need to run in the future in this pilot programme, we asking for participants who have had some experience of working with us in the past. This can include:
Attended at least one previous Company of Wolves workshop,
Performed in a Company of Wolves show, or
Trained with Company of Wolves in an educational context.
Both the Practice and Story Lab sessions have been capped at five participants each in this pilot programme, with a fee of £120 per performer per day. Please note applications for both these sessions are now closed.
Finally, the third strand is a pilot forum for a few invited companies who make, tour, and produce their own devised theatre / performance in Scotland, in what we hope will become a bigger, more regular event in future. Running a theatre company can be isolating and lonely work. There are probably lots of things we have in common, things we could share, and things we can learn from each other. Please note that, because this is a pilot programme, the forum this year is an invitation only event, which will be fully documented. By starting small and focused, we hope to learn how to shape a much wider event for more of the devised performance community going forward.
LABS is generously supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland and Take Me Somewhere.