Hello and happy September, we hope you've had a good summer!

Thank you to everyone that came along to our Rural Touring workshop earlier this week - we hope you've found it useful! One participant said: "Really useful to get a clearer sense of the scheme’s process and it makes it easier to see what a good fit for my work might be, and to signpost others to opportunities." 

Some exciting events and workshops coming up in this newsletter from the Hippodrome and the wider Midlands. See you soon! 

We offer free last minute rehearsal spaces. Our studios can be available Monday – Friday between 10am – 5pm. Email creatives@birminghamhippodrome.com by 11am Wednesday with requests for the following week. Please drop us a message with a bit of info on what you’ll be using the space for, as well as how many people will be in attendance. This ensures we can book you into the most appropriate space available!

The Artists' Lounge is a relaxed space for Creatives to be at home in the Hippodrome with drinks making facilities, a lounge and library (open weekdays 10am – 5pm). Best accessed through our Thorp Street Reception Entrance. 

We've also now set up Hippodrome Creatives as a Community over on the Hippodrome's Instagram account! We'll be sharing the latest on what we're up to, updates on the Artists' Lounge, content and news! Click here to join!

Gathering Residency - 25 & 26 September 

We are delighted to announce that Gathering Residency is back on Friday 25 & Saturday 26 September. Gathering is a programme for Black* artists in the Midlands to develop craft and continue building an artistic community. Join us for two days of workshops, food and connection - sign up by using the button below!

When: Friday 25 September, 10:30am - 5pm and Saturday 26 September, 10:30am - 7pm

Where: Birmingham Hippodrome

*Defined as people of African, Caribbean, Afro-Latinx and African-American heritage, including people of mixed white and African diaspora heritage who identify as such.

You can find out more about Gathering and the schedule for the residency here. 

Writer's Block - Wednesday 30 September 

Monologue Surgery with Anna Himali Howard

Calling all actors: join Anna Himali Howard for a day of Monologue Surgery at the Hippodrome! If you have an audition coming up, or a speech you’d like to work on, we’re here to help. Book a slot of time with Anna to polish up a monologue of your choice and get performance-ready.

When: Friday 9 October, 10am - 5pm

Where: Birmingham Hippodrome

If you'd like to attend the workshop please fill out the form below by Sunday 27 September. If you have any questions you can get in touch with the team on creatives@birminghamhippodrome.com

Anna Himali Howard is the Hippodrome's New Work manager and an award-winning theatre and opera director. Productions include The Secret Garden (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), Kabul Goes Pop by Waleed Akhtar (Brixton House) and I wanna be yours by Zia Ahmed (Bush Theatre). She has directed at drama schools including Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and ArtsEd.

WHY YOU? WHY NOW? Workshop with Hugh Dichmont

Playwrights, theatre makers and all storytelling creatives! Do you struggle to sell yourself or your work? Has applying for opportunities left you feeling confused or burnt out? Join ScriptEM for ‘Why You, Why Now’, a facilitated peer-support workshop in which we will unpick identity, voice and what gatekeepers want. Led by award-winning playwright and ScriptEM founder Hugh Dichmont, across two social and interactive hours we will workshop:

• Defining our “artist voice”, across personal, regional and national identity
• How to grow as an artist whilst staying true to your creative passion
• Gatekeeper language: translating callouts, feedback and the jargon of theatre itself
• Pitching best-practice: what organisations are looking for, how we can stand out

With individual and group work, conversation and an optional opportunity to practice pitching, ‘Why You, Why Now’ is a fun and supportive space to build your skills and confidence, helping you to sell yourself without squeezing into a box.

For anyone who writes shows or stories, makes theatre, performance or anything in between. Everyone welcome, from beginners to professionals. Refreshments provided.

Where: Birmingham Hippodrome 
When: Monday 5 October, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Find out more and sign up here!

The Julia Rausing Sky Arts Bursaries

The Sky Foundation has launched The Julia Rausing Sky Arts Bursaries, a new programme delivered in partnership with The Julia Rausing Trust that will support 20 dance-makers across the UK with funding, mentoring, professional development and industry visibility. What you'll receive -

• A personal grant of £30k
• A project grant of up to £40k to bring your project to life
• Mentoring & professional development
• Masterclasses and industry connections
• National profile and visibility

Deadline: 9am, Wednesday 9 September

Find out more here!

Apples and Snakes - Scratch Poetry Festival

Are you a performance poet with a brilliant idea for a show? Do you have a work in progress that’s ready to step out of your notebook and meet a live audience?

This festival is a chance for performance poets to test new material, gather real feedback and build the foundation for their next full-length show. Whether you’re at the idea stage or have a chunk of new writing, this is for you. 

Deadline: 12pm, 21 September

Find out more here! 

Digital Media Academy & Ensemble 26/27 - Belgrade Theatre

Applications are open for Belgrade Theatre‘s Digital Media Academy. Ideal for aspiring filmmakers, podcast enthusiasts, photography hobbyists or someone who’s never touched a camera but loves a good story. This free programme is led by industry professionals and is designed to develop skills across the full range of digital storytelling, from first idea to finished piece. You should be 18+ and based in Coventry or the Midlands to attend weekly sessions.

Find out more here!

Deadline: Friday 11 September, 10am

The team at Belgrade are also now recruiting for their Ensemble 26/27 programme - a training opportunity for early-career performers looking to develop their craft alongside our creative leadership team. Participants will train together as an ensemble and work on two major performance milestones, culminating in a role within the company ensemble for the Belgrade’s flagship B1 production of Nanny of the Maroons. This opportunity is open specifically to performers of Black African and Caribbean diaspora heritage.

Find out more here! 

Deadline: Friday 11 September 2026, 10am

The Stage - On Tour - 24 September, 2:30pm 

The Stage is hosting their inaugural “The Stage: On Tour” event at Birmingham Hippodrome. The event will take place at 2.30pm on Thursday 24 September in Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio. The event is free to attend, but tickets should be booked in advance.

This panel discussion will give West Midlands based theatremakers the opportunity to unpick the issues that matter to them. Discussing topics including funding challenges, working conditions and issues specific to the West Midlands. The Stage hopes to uncover specific themes, giving people working in the West Midlands the chance to explore those challenges and their impact further.

Matt Hemley, Editor of The Stage will host the discussion alongside panellists from across the region:

• Corey Campbell, Creative Director at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
• Jon Gilchrist, Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Birmingham Hippodrome
• Adaya Henry, Artistic Director, Women and Theatre
• Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director, Arts Council England
• Jacqui O’Hanlon, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Creative Learning and Engagement, Royal Shakespeare Company
  

Find out more here!

If you'd like us to share any events, sharings, shows, readings or anything you're working on in this newsletter, please get in touch through creatives@birminghamhippodrome.com.

We include many opportunities in the monthly newsletter, some sent to us and some we come across online. While we do read through all opportunities included, these are not endorsements for the companies or organisations they're published by. If you have questions or there are any issues with opportunities shared in the newsletter, please get in touch with the organisations directly.

Thank you for being part of the Hippodrome Creatives community. See you soon!

Maria-Magdalena (New Work & Artist Development Coordinator)