FAQ where can I develop my talent?
How can you develop your talent after graduating? Would you like to work for established companies, go touring with your graduation performance, make new plays with your own collective or maybe combine all of these?
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Support by funds
Talent development of young artists is an important part of cultural policy. The Performing Arts Fund NL has a special regulation 'Nieuwe makers' (new makers) for young talented makers to grow further within a longer-term trajectory (up to two years), in collaboration with groups, venues and festivals. There are several other organisations that focus on talent development. Such as the AFK and Bureau Broedplaatsen, who developed the 3Package Deal for young talent.
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Production houses and workplaces
Production houses and workshops support young, beginning theatre makers and provide a bridge to a professional practice. They can act as (co-) producer, offer professional advice and a stage to perform.
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Theatre companies
The large subsidized companies have been given a mandate to support young talent. For example, the Nederlands Dans Theater gives workshops for young dance talent and Scapino Ballet Rotterdam organizes an intensive Young Talents Program. International Theatre Amsterdam has, among other things, a grant, the International Ibsen Fellowship, for young directors and supports alliance partners in the professional fields. Some groups focus specifically on young artists, such as the Nieuwkomers, part of the Dutch theatre group Orkater. Also, the Dutch National Opera, Nederlandse Reisopera and Opera Zuid are collaborating on a talent development program in which an annual co-production is made. They work with international and young Dutch or Dutch-trained singers and young theatre makers, composers and artistic teams.
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Theatres
The theatres themselves do not offer a lot of opportunities for young makers, but there are certainly initiatives to be found. However, theatres still offer opportunities for young theatre makers. Twelve theatres work together with young artists under the name of The Coproducers. Bellevue Lunchtheater provides a springboard for young talent in writing for performances. Also at Plein Theater and Podium Mozaïek is room for young professionals.
Festivals
Festivals can not only offer a stage, but they sometimes also act as co-producer. They are an important link in the development of talent, but because of the temporary format of a festival the artistic guidance often is temporary as well. Atelier Oerol offers young theatre makers and artists to develop site-specific performances. Over het IJ Festival offers the Makers Counter (Makersloket) and Festival Cement de Makers Monday (Makers Maandag). As a young maker you can network here and get help in business, production, advertising and artistic developement.
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Pitch your own performance
If you want to work independently, you can create and pitch your own performance. Create a preview of your performance, invite programmers and tell them about the scheduling of the show. If a programmer is interested, make a proposal that fits their venue and continue the negotiation.
Getting help
As a young maker you need partners that can support you with a network and professional and artistic knowledge. Find a party that fits your needs to increase the chance of a good collaboration. Make sure you know who to approach and how to present yourself well.
Intermediaries can also offer interesting partnerships. Such as the Via Rudolphi office, who are organizing a tour with three graduation performances under the name Debuut. Or ROSE stories, a collective of storytellers, producers and talent developers who take young makers under their wing.