Submissions
How to submit work for PILOT Nights
Next Submission deadline 9am on the 30th October 2008.
Before making an application please read through the Information for Artists (below). PILOT Nights receive an ever-increasing number of applications. We cannot hope to programme all of these. For this reason your ability to meet the criteria is extremely important.
Please apply using the online form (below). We cannot receive any applications or supporting material by post.
Information for Artists
PILOT Nights provide a space where artists making devised theatre can develop their practice in an informal and supportive atmosphere.
Originally set up to support West Midlands based artists PILOT Nights now accept applications nationally. PILOT Nights believe firmly that in order to support regional development it is as important to bring in theatre makers as it is to book regional work. However, where there is a wealth of strong applications some priority is given to artists making work in the West Midlands.
The Work
PILOT Nights are designed to support work-in-progress showings. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed piece will be developed and so has a future beyond a showing at a PILOT Night.
PILOT Nights are designed for theatre makers. In the case of artists working in performance art, dance or other performative fields, they must be able to demonstrate that their work has an emphasis on a theatrical experience for the audience. Where this is not the case we would recommend applying to events more suited to the needs of your particular practise.
PILOT Nights will accept applications from artists who have worked collaboratively with a writer and have work to show. We do not however accept scripts alone. For those with scripts we suggest contacting the Birmingham REP or SCRIPT, the West Midlands agency for dramatic writers (www.scriptonline.net).
The Venue
PILOT Nights are in residence at The Theatre, The Custard Factory, Birmingham. This is a one hundred seater, end on black box studio. Work must be suitable for this space. We can provide basic lighting, sound and projection support. Applicants should not rely upon complex technical support as time and recourses are limited.
Timetable
Depending upon the needs of individual companies, participants can expect a short get-in/ rehearsal time (usually one – two hours) at the venue on the day of the performance. A technician and members of PILOT Nights will be available to assist during this time.
Financial Support
Participating artists will receive a small bursary towards their work’s development at a rate of £75 per work and an additional £50 for each extra performer. Companies will also receive a contribution towards travel expenses assuming that each will travel to Birmingham in the most cost-effective manner.
Application Form
There are two steps to the online submission process - step one is for information about you and your project and the second step allows you to send an image to support your submission. Please note that in step one we ask for website and/ or links to video footage or further images of your work. Such documentation is extremely useful in terms of our assessing your application and should be included wherever possible. However we appreciate that not all artists will have a website or online footage and we do accept applications without. Similarly information concerning press coverage is useful but not compulsory.