What’s your favourite tech-week snack?
As the Romeo & Juliet team move onto stage ahead of Saturday’s first preview, and I remind myself that Skittles are not a balanced meal, we’re getting even more excited about how the production’s shaping up. Take a look behind the scenes videos and rehearsal photos, or an interview with director Ellie Hurt, if you want to get a feel for what we’re making.
We’re also deep in rehearsals for Syncopated, our new co-production with Talawa in the Playhouse Studio – and have an open casting call for our upcoming Young Writers’ Showcase! It’s all going on…
Our other big news is that we’re buzzing to be one of three theatres partnering with RTYDS on their Associate Artistic Director Residency for directors from working class or low socio-economic backgrounds. Details on how to apply below.
And, for writers, a reminder that we’re accepting proposals for our Seed Commissions prompts all through this month!
All the usual monthly Meeting Points for our creative community are back after the summer break, including monthly Creative Co-working (with free tea and coffee!) and some great free Production Process workshops – and Freelancers’ Mixers for both Romeo & Juliet and Syncopated. Plus the Writers’ Room is open again!
Lastly, a huge congratulations to Nathan Crossan-Smith and Chloe Wyn (director and designer, The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure), who have both been nominated for this year’s Stage Debut Awards!
Hope to see you at a show or event soon,
Tommo
New Works Associate
Meeting Points
Loads of reasons to come and hang out with us at the Everyman over the coming months:Creative Co-working.
First Thursday of the month (2 Oct, 6 Nov, 4 Dec), from 11.30am. Drop into the Writers’ Room for chats, advice and free tea and coffee!
Production Process.
Confirmed workshops so far this autumn are:
Fundraising beyond the Arts Council
with Ros Gordon (Development Manager) and Ros Thomas (Finance Director)
Thursday 25 September, 1-2pm.
This workshop will explore alternative fundraising strategies, including approaches to individual donors, and trusts and foundations – as well as knowing your own worth in a budget.
Working with young people
with Hayley Lindley-Thornhill (Head of Young People & Community)
Thursday 23 October, 2-4pm.
This practical workshop will explore top tips, tactics and exercises for co-creating with young people, ensuring that they have artistic agency in the work you make together.
Registration is via our website. If you sign up for a place, please let us know if you can no longer attend. Places are capped, and we want to make sure that no-one misses out who wants to come.
Freelancers’ Mixers.
The next Mixers will be:
Wednesday 17 September (Romeo & Juliet, Everyman)
Tuesday 23 September (Syncopated, Playhouse Studio)
Wednesday 19 November (Jack and the Beanstalk, Everyman).
Register here.
Jobs & opportunities
Open Casting Call: YEP Writers’ Showcase
Everyman & Playhouse
Deadline: midnight, Sun 14 September
We’re looking for confident multi-rolling actors to dive into the brilliantly varied worlds and styles of this year’s YEP Writers’ showcase pieces.
We’re particularly interested in hearing from transfeminine actors for one of the pieces, so please do get in touch if that’s you – or help us spread the word!
All roles are paid at Equity minimum.
Fair Play Associate Creative Director
Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme (RTYDS)
Deadline: 10am, Thurs 18 September
RTYDS are a cornerstone of the industry for emerging directors, and this new programme is designed to give mid-career directors or theatre-makers from a working class or low socio-economic background a paid 18-month residency (up to £35,000pa) to develop as an artistic leader.
There are three host theatres – and we’re one of them! (You could also apply for Bristol Old Vic or Leeds Playhouse… but we’d feel pretty betrayed tbh).
This is a truly fantastic opportunity.
Seed Commissions
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse
Deadline: 9am, Mon 29 September
Seed Commissions give writers the chance to pitch a new play in response to creative provocations from the Artistic team and two of our Associate Companies, with £1,000 on offer to three playwrights to develop their idea!
You might be thinking empathy, the importance of art and/or local myths & legends – but we want to see what innovative, thrilling and theatrical ideas you’re cooking up…
Become a mentor
Arts Emergency
Deadline: Mon 29 September
In 2025, young people from privileged backgrounds are four times more likely to make it into the creative industries than their peers and only 16% of people in the arts and humanities come from a working-class background.
The fabulous Arts Emergency are looking for volunteer mentors across Merseyside to tackle these inequalities at a grassroots level. If you work in the arts and creative industries, and can set aside just one hour a month to support a creative, curious, ambitious young person, register your interest in becoming a mentor.
On my radar
THEATRE
I Am Steven Gerrard
Epstein
11-13 September
A beautiful, funny and poetic monologue about masculinity, belonging and – yes – Steven Gerrard, I loved this when I saw its original run at Hope St.
Written by ex-Playwrights’ Programme and YEP Writer Sean McLoughlin, and produced by the inimitable Tip Tray Theatre, this should be lovely. (AND you’ve got a discount, you lucky things: use SG15 for £15 tickets).
WORKSHOP
New Writing with Davina Moss
St David’s Building, Mold / Theatre Clwyd
2-5pm, Tues 16 September
Davina Moss (Literary Manager, Sherman Theatre) is leading a session for Theatr Clwyd on developing new ideas for stage, exploring how to spark ideas with the potential to become a play, and offering techniques to create bold and original characters.
This will be great for writers, directors, dramaturgs, and anyone with an interest in the creation of new writing – well worth a trip across the border.
FESTIVAL
BlackFest 2025
Various Liverpool venues
22 September – 30 October
BlackFest is back with a vibrant programme of music, theatre, film, dance, visual arts, literature, comedy and community events – all somehow responding to the theme of ‘Masculine energy, Masculinity’.
There’s something for everyone here, so make sure you check it out.
Mix Up is a new, free, playwright-only forum in which you set the agenda, to talk about what matters to you – and address the sessions Open Question: What would you change about theatre (for no money)?
Following the ‘Open Space’ method, this session is designed to support advocacy and community between playwrights across the UK. Building on their pilot event in July, it’s a space to build new connections, get support, learn from one another or even just moan a bit.
Ongoing offers at the Everyman
Writers’ Room
For those who haven’t spent time in it, the Writers’ Room is available for your use during open hours. With a library of fantastic scripts, it’s a great place to come and be inspired, do some co-working, or get round a table to read a new play.
For quiet working: just drop in! We encourage artists to work alongside one another – but, if the room is booked for a group, you’re welcome to work in the Theatre Bar.
For group reading or discussion: email me to book in advance.
Note that Fridays are currently booked by regular groups. If you want to check availability on a particular day, feel free to email me or call Box Office.
Street Café discounts
Did you know we have discounts for theatre professionals in the Everyman Street Café? Well, we do!
You can get 10% off food and non-alcoholic drinks if you’re:
- a paid-up union member of BECTU, Equity, Independent Theatres Council, Musicians Union, Stage Directors UK or the Writers Guild,
- having an Arts Emergency mentoring session, or
- participating in New Works activity (e.g. Production Process workshop, Creative Co-working, etc).
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