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Performance Illuminated

Supporting artists to present and develop new performance work on the Central Coast.

Central Coast Council’s theatres team is supporting artists to present and develop new performance work in Laycock Street Community Theatre and the Peninsula Theatre.

Throughout April to October 2024, the Performance Illuminated program is piloting three options supporting different stages of creative development: 

  • Greenlight Season: a program that supports artists to present new performance work through a door-split model.
  • Flashlight Access: a program that supports artists to access rehearsal space in the Don Craig Room at Laycock Street Theatre on dark days during already staffed business hours.
  • The Pen Residency: a residency program that supports artists to develop new creative work in The Peninsula Theatre.
     

Greenlight Season

Greenlight Season is an opportunity for Central Coast artists, collectives and organisations who would like to present a NEW performance work or artistic event in the Don Craig Room or The Peninsula Theatre. Through application, new performance works are selected to be presented through a door-split agreement with Central Coast Council’s theatre team. 

Key Dates:
Applications Close: 5pm Sunday, 31 March 2024
Season Pilot Period: April-October 2024

How will applications be assessed? 
A panel including Central Coast Council Arts & Culture team staff and one peer assessor, will review expressions of interest based on the following:

  • Artistic Merit
  • Artists’ or organisation’s need for support
  • Feasibility 
  • Community need or relevance

How to apply?
Fill out the Greenlight Season Application Form online. 

For questions, or alternative ways to apply, email by application deadline to: performance.illuminated@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Your EOI should include: 

  • Description of your artistic practice or organisation 
  • Who is the target audience for this work and why is it relevant to their needs or interests? Technical and logistical requirements, including proposed number of performances. 
  • Artistic statement on the proposed performance work 
  • Why do you need the support of the Greenlight Season program to present this performance on the Central Coast? How is the opportunity relevant to you or your organisation's development goals?
     

Flashlight Access 

Flashlight Access is an opportunity for Central Coast artists, collectives, organisations, and community groups to book the Don Craig Room for no-cost during the theatre’s staffed business hours for non-commercial creative activities.

Key Dates:
Requests Open: From March 2024
Pilot Period: April-October 2024

What are the eligibility criteria? 

  • Theatre is staffed on the requested dates and times (usually Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm). 
  • Don Craig Room is available on the requested date and time. 
  • The proposed activity is suited to the space. 
  • The proposed activity is not an event and users will not be directly generating income from its use. 
  •  Requests do not prevent a reasonable distribution of opportunity for other artists and organisations. 
  • Requesting user’s activities are covered by a Public Liability Insurance policy. 
  • Requesting users agree to all terms and conditions. 
  • Purpose of use relates to the Central Coast.

How do I book through flashlight access?
Fill out the Flashlight Access Request Form online. Theatre staff will check your eligibility, and call or email the contact person to confirm the booking or arrange an alternative booking. Please book one-month in advance of requested booking date. Upon first booking, all users must complete a site induction.

 

The Pen Residency

The Pen Residency is a flexibly structured artistic development residency for performers and theatre-makers. The residency aims to support the development of new performance work. The program offers in-kind use of The Peninsula Theatre in Woy Woy, and an honorarium per residency.

Key Dates:
Applications Close: 5pm Sunday, 31 March 2024
Season Pilot Period: April-October 2024

Residency Structure

  • Artists can choose a 5-day or  10-day residency. 
  •  Residency dates can be structured via arrangement with the theatres team.
  • Artists receive an honorarium: $1,255 for a 5-day residency, or $2,510 for a 10-day residency. 
    Note: The honorarium is paid per residency, not per artist involved in the residency.

How will applications be assessed?

A panel including Central Coast Council Arts & Culture team staff and one peer assessor, will review expressions of interest based on the following:

  • Artistic merit 
  • Feasibility 
  • Artist’s or collective’s need for support 
  • Community engagement if not a Central Coast resident. Central Coast residents will receive this merit automatically.

How to apply?
Fill out The Pen Residency Application Form online. 

For questions, or alternative ways to apply, email by application deadline to: performance.illuminated@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Your EOI should include: 

  • Description of your artistic bio and/or the collective’s bio (including supporting links).
  • Artistic concept or creative idea you would like to explore in the residency.
  • Outline of how the residency will support you to develop this artistic concept or creative idea.
  • Explanation of how undertaking the residency will support your professional development goals.
  • If not a resident of the Central Coast, outline the proposed ways you will engage with the Central Coast community throughout your residency.
  • Suitable structures of residency (including length and distribution of dates)
     

Find Out More

To find out more about the program, read the Digital Booklet.

 

Info Night

The Arts and Culture team will be hosting an info night for the Performance Illuminated program at Laycock Street Community Theatre on Thursday, 22 February 2024. There will be an Acknowledgement of Country, live music, drinks, and canapes.

The event is free, and RSVPs are required. To find out more and RSVP, click the following link: Performance Illuminated Info Night RSVP.
 

Apply

Applications open.

Applications for Greenlight Season and The Pen Residency close at 5pm on Sunday, 31 March 2024.

Applications for Flashlight Access will continue throughout the pilot period.

Greenlight Season and The Pen Residency applications will be assessed by a panel of Central Coast Council Arts & Culture team staff and one peer assessor.

Use the below links to apply for the programs:

If you need assistance completing your application for Greenlight Season or The Pen Residency, you can select “I would like to discuss with someone what assistance I need to submit my application” at the top of the form. Fill out the required boxes and someone from the team will contact to discuss this.

Alternatively, email performance.illuminated@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au with any questions or enquiries.


About the Peer Assessor

Greenlight Season and The Pen Residency will be peer-assessed by theatre-maker and performer Angie Diaz.

Love Central Coast

Take a look at the thriving Love Central Coast Arts scene that is waiting to export you into a world of creativity.   

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