Create Tour Connect (CTC) is a new innovative partnership project commissioning, developing and touring theatre and drama across the rural touring network in England. CTC supports the regional creation and touring of new work and connects this with a network of partners dedicated to small-scale touring.
Community touring is facing an increasing lack of suitable performance work, particularly 2-4 hander drama and theatre which is relevant to contemporary rural audiences. This is evidenced by the current touring offers available nationally and is caused by a multitude of factors including the pause in production during pandemic, high costs associated with making and touring currently and the lack of available funds to underpin them.
CTC addresses this by developing a nationwide network of localised commissioning consortia that will work together to source and develop new, relevant, multi-hand touring products and strategically maximise its reach and impact through a joined-up approach.
CTC is a unique collaboration of over 18 partner organisations from the rural touring network, with four regional hubs (consortia) covering the North, Midlands, South West and South East. They represent a diverse range of small-scale community spaces including village and community halls, libraries, pubs, and other locally led venues. Each regional hub will offer a commissioned opportunity for new contemporary theatre and drama pieces for national touring. Dorset's rural touring charity Artsreach is the lead organisation for the South West regional hub.
South West Theatre Commission
In partnership with our rural touring friends at Carn to Cove (Cornwall), Beaford (North Devon), Villages in Action (Devon), Take Art (Somerset) and Air in G (Gloucestershire), we are delighted to outline details of a commission for a new piece of touring theatre from a South West based company or artist as follows:
Commission Details
- Proposal for a new piece of theatre relevant to contemporary rural adult audiences (3 hander + 1 tech).
- Fully funded 36 date minimum tour across the UK network (Sept-Dec 2026)
- The company / artist must be based in the South West region of England as defined by Arts Council regions. (Commissions for artists based in the South East will be announced at a later date).
- The company or artist must demonstrate understanding of or experience in touring to community spaces
- Availability to develop a new show and tour across the network in autumn 2026
Timescale
- Application Deadline: 29 August 2025, 12 noon
- Shortlisted interviewees informed:w/c 15 September 2025
- Interviews (online): w/c 22 September 2025
- Decision: early October 2025
- Development period: (tbc during 2026)
Download the full details below, including information on development and touring fees available:
How to apply
Applications will be via the Eventotron online platform.
If you are already registered with Eventotron you can apply to Create Tour Connect – Southwest by searching under Festivals & Seasons.Otherwise, you will need to register first.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals or companies, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, social background, religion and/or belief.
We want to hear about:
– you/your company and the work you do
– your proposal and your experience or understanding of rural and community touring
– your budget and touring fees (using the template in the downloads above)
– your approach to sustainability
If you feel more comfortable applying by video or voice recording, please contact Applause: office@applause.org.uk for further information.
If you have any questions about this commission call out and want to discuss your application before applying, please get in touch by emailing info@artsreach.co.uk