Box Office: 01902 321 321
Email: arena@wlv.ac.uk

  1. University of Wolverhampton
  2. Arena Theatre
  3. Artist Development
  4. LEAP Festival

LEAP Festival

We are delighted to announce that our call is now OPEN for submissions to LEAP Festival at the Arena Theatre, Thursday 29th February 2024 – Saturday 2nd March 2024.

In our commitment to developing artists and communities across Wolverhampton and the local region, LEAP Festival will showcase brand new work each evening for which a seed commission fee will be paid to artists and companies. The festival will also be Pay What You Feel, ensuring it is affordable for all pockets and those who wish to attend.

We are seeking to commission two brand new pieces of work to be performed the evenings of Friday 1st March 2024 and Saturday 2nd March 2024. 

Details of submissions and the call are below:

  • Submissions of pieces which are roughly 40 – 60 minutes in length.
  • Works will be performed either the evening of Friday 1st March, or Saturday 2nd March.
  • Works can be from any of the following disciplines: theatre/drama, dance, or spoken word.
  • Fee of £1,000 each, payable to the two successful submissions.
  • Full marketing support provided to the two successful submissions.
  • Full technical support provided to the two successful submissions.

Deadline for submissions is Friday 12th January 2024 at 5.00pm.

To apply, please send either the full script – or a ten page extract – in Word or PDF format to both Neil Reading, Artistic Director of the Arena Theatre, at Neil.Reading@wlv.ac.uk; and Sam Fleming, Education and Outreach Manager at the Arena Theatre, at Sam.Fleming@wlv.ac.uk. Alternatively, if you are submitting a dance piece, please send along either a video of the full piece, or a ten-minute video of an extract from the piece.

We are also asking writers/choregraphers or companies to attach their C.V, or any supporting evidence, to applications. Alternatively, applications can also contain a short video of writers/choreographers and companies introducing themselves and the script, or the work of the company.

If you have any access enquiries with regards to the application or process, please e-mail us above and we will ensure we make reasonable adjustments so you can fully participate.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions, and we will be happy to help.

We look forward to hearing from you!