Working Class Artists project funding
New PopularFarnham Maltings announces project funding to 4 South East working class artists.
As part of its New Popular initiative, Farnham Maltings issued a callout to working class artists in the South East region offering project funding support.
New Popular aims to develop new theatre projects which speak to and entice new audiences to theatre experiences. It hopes to celebrate popular theatre forms and reclaim these particularly for folks who may usually think that theatre ‘isn’t for the likes of them’. This strand of funding support is part of that work.
‘We are supporting artists who are telling stories which are rarely heard or can be hidden amongst the towns and villages of the South East. They are all creating projects in new and exciting ways for audiences who may not usually recognise themselves in the theatre; this includes a work created with and for Isle of Wight communities, stories of surprise and secrets from a former prisoner in Thanet, a new theatre experience celebrating suburban queer culture for Reading and theatre adventures for every kind of new parent’ Katy Potter, Senior Producer
In this year, the organisation is supporting four artists, these are:
Jessi Clayton and Amy Terry: Amy Terry is a writer/performer and researcher whose work focuses on working-class, queer and trans stories and forms. Jessi Lee Clayton is a director/writer and researcher whose work focuses on rural lesbian and queer identities. Their project, BUTCH JESSI AND TERRY THE KID’S TRAVELLING HONKYTONK FOR COMMUNISTS COWBOYS AND QUEERS, will rustle up nights of country fun all around the country leaving the best of queer joy and debauchery in its wake. Howdy, y’all.
Rebecca Brewer is an actor, writer and theatre maker. She was an Associate Artist at the Queens Theatre Hornchurch and a recipient of the MGC Futures Bursary for 20/21. She’s also a new mum. Luna the Space Explorer is a show about exploring space and making friends from far-off places. It uses stories and sensory elements to create a nourishing first theatre experience for babies under 2 and their families.
Dean Stalham, originally from Cricklewood, London, now lives and works in Margate as a community artist and writer. Born in The Underbelly- Raised in The Underworld - Lived in an Acid House - Surviving in The Art World. A 2 B 2 C.I.D will be a series of anecdotes formed into a solo performance/play that will show the true complexities of a life inside. Dean will be working with director Lil Warren to develop 4 different 40 minute monologues that contain 4 anecdotes/stories from his book A 2 B 2 C.I.D. To be performed in Kent communities.
Samuel Bossman: The Freshwater Five is a new play set to tour to coastal communities. After successful research and development at Ventnor Exchange and Quay Arts on the Isle of Wight. Sam is now developing a full production, connecting new audiences with new talent and a new play that speaks to them. Samuel Bossman is from the Isle of Wight and wears many hats as the artistic director of Deadman.
Sign off
If you’d like to talk to us about your idea and application at any stage, please email Katy Potter, Producer and we’ll arrange a phone call.