Creu Cymru’s Expanding Stages project is an initiative designed to support the development of Welsh theatres, producing companies, and performing arts professionals. The project aims to strengthen the capacity and resilience of the performing arts sector in Wales, particularly after challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis.
Expanding Stages – Performance and Festivals
These are themed curated visits that focus on exposing individuals to work not commonly programmed in Wales. The objectives include:
- Exploring diverse programming: Encouraging venues and individuals to broaden the range of performances they present.
- Engaging wider audiences: Creating opportunities to connect with underrepresented communities, including those with accessibility needs, black and global majority groups, and families.
- Cross-sector learning and collaboration: Bringing together venues, producers, and stakeholders to share experiences and best practices.
- Artistic and public value development: Helping members expand their artistic offerings and respond strategically to challenges.
These visits are designed to:
- Allow members to quality-assure performances or artist work before booking or collaborating with them.
- Provide peer support for innovative programming or artist decisions.
- Facilitate collaboration with producers, ensuring that programming meets the needs of venues while maintaining high artistic standards.
Expanding Stages – Conferences and Events
These opportunities are aimed at supporting the learning of members and allowing them to visit a broad range of conferences and events, focussed on professional development, sector resilience, and fostering a more inclusive, innovative, and connected performing arts community. The objectives include:
- Expanding Skills and Expertise
- Encouraging Continuous Learning.
- Supporting Career Progression
- Raising Standards Across the Sector
- Enhancing Creativity and Innovation
- Building Industry Connections
- Encouraging Peer-to-Peer Learning
- Encouraging Knowledge Transfer
2025 Opportunities
Brighton Festival 3rd-26th May
A celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and community events, Brighton Festival takes place in familiar and unusual locations across Brighton & Hove and further afield for three weeks every May.
We have 4 spaces available for £200 bursaries to attend to go towards your tickets, travel and accommodation.
Imaginate Festival 24th May-1 June, Edinburgh
Imaginate is the national organisation in Scotland, which develops, celebrates and presents theatre and dance for children and young people.
https://www.imaginate.org.uk/festival/
First- time delegate packages
To help new delegates navigate the Festival for the first time, Imaginate are offering hosted packages. We have booked 5 spaces for Creu Cymru members on Friday 30th May. These packages will be hosted by Imaginate staff and will include a welcome meeting, Festival performances and delegate events.
Friday 30 May: Blue Package
- 9:15 - Meet your host at The Traverse Theatre
- 9:30 - Beneath the Snow
- 11:30 - Work in Progress: Dorine Mugisha
- 14:00 - Not Falling
- 16:00 - Game within a Game
- 19:30 - The Pale Baron
Package includes your delegate fee and £150 towards travel and accommodation.
Number of spaces: 5
Or
If you want to curate your own journey, we have 4 spaces available for £200 bursaries to attend to go towards your tickets, travel and accommodation.
Theatre Conference 24th June, London
https://uktheatre.org/theatre-conference/
The Theatre Conference is the UK’s premier event created for the industry, by the industry. An opportunity for Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre members to come together face-to-face to shape the future of theatre at London’s iconic Southbank Centre.
Networking opportunities throughout the day complement panels and presentations, allowing members to continue the session conversations and collaborate to find solutions.
The Marketplace, open all day, allows delegates to meet the companies offering tools and technology to innovate the work that you do.
4 spaces available for £200 bursaries towards attendance.
Conditions
One bursary per organisation.
This opportunity is available to Full and Associate Members only.
All we ask in return for your bursary is a short report that we can use on the Creu Cymru website that shares your learning from the festival, event, performance or conference and a testimonial that we could use for future events.
To apply or for more information please email yvonne@creucymru.com