The National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) has launched a search for performers, artists and companies for their bi-annual rural touring showcase festival, New Directions, which will take place at Falmouth University’s Academy of Music and Theatre Arts next year. New Directions 2016 will take place 5 – 7 July 2016.
New Directions introduces delegates to exciting high quality work suitable for rural touring and similarly to introduces a range of new artists and companies to the rural touring network. They describe the showcase as “being made for the curious and characterised by a spirit of adventure”.
Following on from their successful work for New Directions in both 2012 and 2014, China Plate have once again been engaged by NRTF to curate a programme for the 3-day event. With the aim of selecting bold and exciting work from a diverse range of artists that reflect the breadth and diversity of work presented by the rural touring network, the organisers are seeking applications from all disciplines undertaking innovative work across the spectrum of contemporary theatre and dance.
Whilst actively seeking to engage with artists new to rural touring and to work with emerging artists, the organisers also hope to feature established companies who are already familiar with rural touring but who are working on exciting, fresh new ideas and have aspirations to increase their reach to rural audiences.
Companies that are developing work ready to tour to UK rural venues following New Directions from Autumn 2016 through to Autumn 2018 will be prioritised. Whilst the working group are particularly looking for tour ready work, a limited number of shows in development will also be considered.
The showcase programme will be selected by a working group of China Plate, Cairn to Cove (the Rural Touring Scheme for Cornwall and New Directions 2016 co-hosts) and NRTF.
Companies interested in applying to be a part of New Directions should visit the NRTF website www.ruraltouring.org. Applications should be submitted by 14 February 2016 with successful applicants being notified by the end of March 2016.