Young Performer Programme
For our Young Performer Programme, we are inviting submissions from groups and organisations who work creatively with a majority of participants aged under 25, as well as independent performers aged under 25.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for multi-artform live and digital pieces to be presented on one or both of the following dates:
Saturday 8th June 2024 – as part of our family-focused opening day taking place in indoor and outdoor locations across Aberdeen
Saturday 15th June 2024 – as part of our teenage-focused event taking place across the Music Hall building and beyond
There is no set theme for Light The Blue, however we’ll be most excited by ideas and stories that feel relevant to young people and put them at the heart of the creation process.
Programmed acts will be encouraged to be climate-conscious in their approach – using recycled materials as much as possible, for example.
Who are we looking for?
You might be a youth theatre, a dance group, a community group or an independent artist. You might meet regularly or be bringing a group together specially for this project.
We are particularly interested in hearing from those who work with young people from diverse and marginalised backgrounds.
We actively encourage like-minded organisations to submit proposals as collectives and will also identify opportunities to encourage collaboration between groups based on the proposals we receive.
Whilst the majority of the programme will be made up of groups based in Aberdeen and the North East, we are also keen to hear from those based across Scotland.
Artforms
As long as the idea involves a creative artform and the majority of participants are under 25, we’d love to hear from you. Ideas which involve young people as decision-makers in the process will be favoured.
We are particularly keen to programme (but are not limited to) the following artforms:
- Theatre – devised and scripted
- Live music
- Dance and physical theatre
- Circus
- Short film
- Installation
We will be posting another call-out in the coming months for visual artists interested in exhibiting their work during the festival.
Original work will be favoured, but we will also consider new interpretations of existing material. We are unlikely to programme a piece that has been presented at a previous Light The Blue.
We are particularly interested in hearing ideas that challenge the conventions of youth arts sharings and we will work collaboratively to support more experimental approaches.
Length
We will consider pieces/sets of 5 minutes or longer. The majority of selected pieces will be programmed as part of multi-bill and promenade events, however there may be some capacity for standalone events.
Due to the nature of the events envisaged, we are unlikely to programme pieces longer than 30 minutes – get in touch with us before submitting if this applies to you.
We will be posting another call-out in the coming months for groups interested in proposing live and digital pieces of 2-3 minutes in length as part of a new project.
Venue
We will be keen to know if your piece could be performed in:
- A studio space
- An auditorium space
- An indoor public space
- An outdoor public space
- A site-specific/unconventional space
If you have a space that could be used for festival activity, we’d love to hear from you.
We are happy to consider digital work, although live performances and in-person installations/exhibitions will be prioritised.
What can we offer?
Programmed artists and groups will receive:
- A free programming slot as part of Light The Blue 2023
- Technical support for rehearsals and performance
- Free access to most events across the festival programme
- Marketing & PR support as part of our wider festival campaign
- Producing and marketing support from our experienced team
- Networking opportunities for practitioners
A contribution towards transport costs may be available to selected groups.
What’s the application process?
Please submit your proposal by Sunday 11th February 2024 at 11pm via our online form.
The form asks for information about your group/organisation/work, the piece you’re proposing and its suitability for Light The Blue.
We are happy to consider proposals in alternative formats. Please contact jordan.blackwood@aberdeenperformingarts.com to discuss.
What happens after the deadline?
We will accept proposals until Sunday 11th February 2024 at 11pm. Any submissions received after this time will not be considered.
All proposals will be reviewed and discussed by members of our Creative Engagement team as well as a panel of Young Advisors.
We will be programming throughout February and early March. We are unlikely to have the capacity to programme all proposed works – we will select proposals that excite us and our young panel the most, and that support our ambition to create a diverse and relevant festival programme.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of our selection process by Friday 8th March at the latest.
Will there be any further Call Outs for this year’s festival?
Yes, we are currently planning two further call-outs for proposals in the coming months. Keep an eye on the Call Outs page of our website for them going live.
Any questions?
If you have any questions or you’re not sure if your idea is suitable, contact Jordan Blackwood, Light The Blue Creative Producer – jordan.blackwood@aberdeenperformingarts.com.
