The Stage One bursary award is a unique award in that, unlike other arts funding, it is predominantly focused on your progression as an independent commercial theatre producer.
Stage One’s Bursary scheme exists to support independent commercial theatre producers. Unlike other grants or funding, its primary aim is to help develop you and your commercial producing career, rather than only supporting production and project costs.
The Bursary is a grant awarded to independent commercial theatre producers who have proven they are on a clear trajectory of development within the industry.
The Award consists of:
- Financial Award of up to £20,000
- Mentoring from an experienced producer or professional
- Access to a shared central London office space
Applications for the Autumn 2024 round are now open!
You will need to submit an application to Stage One to be considered for a bursary award. We open application rounds twice a year – usually in the spring and the autumn. Find out how to apply here.
If successful, you will be awarded up to £20,000 to support yourself during this period of development of your independent commercial producing career.
You will also work with the Stage One team to find an experienced professional to mentor you during the time you are receiving support from Stage One. The mentor will be available for consultation and advice, they will also sign off on your monthly report and invoices to Stage One. Further training through Stage One is also provided free of charge on specific topics relevant to your practice, as well as access to a central London office space for free for one year.
Closing 16th September at 12 noon.
Partnership with Perfect Pitch Continues
This Autumn, Stage One and Perfect Pitch are delighted to be continuing their partnership, working together to award outstanding emerging producers an increased level of financial support for both the producer and the project to allow meaningful development of new British musicals to take place.
Producers whose application is successful for the initial Stage One Bursary award and whose projects align with the aims of Perfect Pitch will be invited to apply for additional financial support of up to a further £20,000 which will also include:
- Access to low-cost development opportunities
- Subsidised workshop & rehearsal space
- Additional musicals mentorship (alongside the support provided by Stage One)
- Access to musical focussed networking events
- Access to industry pitching days to be the first to hear about new musicals in development and meet the creative teams involved e.g. BEAM festival
How to apply
You can access the online application form through the Stage One member’s page on our website. Becoming a member gives you access to our notice board where we post all about development opportunities and jobs for emerging producers, as well as links to shows currently being presented by our alumni.
Click here to access the member’s portal.
Top Ups
If you have received an initial bursary award, you will be eligible to apply for additional ‘Top Up’ awards. You can apply for a Top Up as many times as you like. The total amount you can be awarded is capped at £20,000*.
*Note: If you received a bursary or top up before Autumn 2023, you may only apply for up to £15,000 for your bursary or top up.
The application process is similar to the main award: we will ask you to tell us what you will use the money for and how it will positively impact your commercial producing career. More information can be found on the website above.