Applications for our 2025 Residencies are now CLOSED

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Apply by Monday 4th August to be one of our four 2025 Residency Artists, receiving two weeks of paid development time to take your performance project to the next level, plus a work-in-progress sharing in a black-box studio theatre. 

This year, two of our residencies are specifically aimed at artists living in Enfield, which has historically had less cultural investment and engagement than other London boroughs. The remaining two residencies are open to all artists within convenient travel distance of Central London. 

We have partnered with The Dugdale Arts Centre in Enfield to host work-in-progress sharings from all our residency artists, after their two-week development period at Theatre Deli Leadenhall Street.

We are once again using random selection as part of our decision-making process. Two eligible applications will be randomly selected (including one from Enfield), and the other two residencies will be selected via a panel. This process is designed to eliminate any factors that may work to exclude or erase artists from our opportunities. If anything has ever stopped you from applying before, it’s time to throw your hat in the ring! 

Theatre Deli’s 2025 Residency programme is supported by Arts Council England. 

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"I had completely underestimated the impact this residency could have both for the project and myself personally. Having the space and support allowed us to revisit a draft of a play I thought I could never finish, spend time with actors and then receive dramaturgical support with ripping it apart and putting it back together."
- Lilac Yosiphon, Access Residency Artist 2023

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What is the offer?

We are offering four residencies in total. 

Each Residency Includes: 

• £2,000 Residency Artist Fee

• Up to £500 Personal Access Costs

• 2 weeks in-kind rehearsal studio space at Theatre Deli Leadenhall Street

• £200 materials budget

• A sharing for an invited audience at The Dugdale Arts Centre main studio. 

• Mentoring support from Deli staff on areas such as dramaturgy, producing, marketing, fundraising and project management.

• One year Theatre Deli Studio Membership (worth £75). 

"Dugdale Arts Centre is excited to be partnering with Theatre Deli on their artist residency programme and support this fantastic opportunity for artists to develop their practice, connect with new audiences, and bring fresh creative energy into Enfield." - Sarisha Kumar, Venue and Cultural Programme Manager, Dugdale Arts Centre

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Who are the residencies for?

Our residency programmes are for artists who make work for performance including but not limited to:

• theatre • storytelling  •  dance  •  movement   •  performance art   • circus   •  experimental work  •  art activism  •  installation  •  interactive  • immersive

What is the timeline for applications?

The applications are open now and close on the 4th August, 10am

All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application before selected artists are announced. We regret that we will not be able to provide feedback on applications.

We expect this round of Residencies to happen before the end of this year.

How are we selecting artists?

All applications will be reviewed for eligibility. 

Eligible applications will be entered into a random draw, and two residencies (including one Enfield residency) will be selected in this way. 

Finally, a diverse panel including Theatre Deli staff, trustees and artists in our network will select the remaining two residencies. We will base our decisions on the potential quality, novelty, and impact of the work you want to develop, with reference to the diversity of people making work across the performing arts sector, and across Theatre Deli’s artist network and programme. 

Why random selection? 

Every year we receive many more applications than we can select, and the standard of applications is very high. Our previous experience with using random selection for some of our residencies proved popular with applicants, leading to a higher number of applicants overall, and lots of new artists introduced to Theatre Deli.

This is not an attempt to gamify or trivialise our opportunities - it is rather an acknowledgement that decision-making around limited resources is deeply complex and inherently flawed, that we want to support more artists, and that we are interested in almost all of the applications we receive, regardless of our selection processes. 

If you would prefer, you can opt out of the chance to be randomly selected in your application. 

Important information on Residencies

Please note that dates for residencies are flexible but always subject to availability. We intend for this round of residencies to take place before the end of this calendar year. Artists are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.

Please only apply for once and for one project. All applications will be entered into the draw for the randomly-selected Classic Residencies. 

How to apply?

Applications are now CLOSED

Alternatively, if you would prefer to submit an application by voice note, please answer the following questions in an audio recording of no longer than 5 minutes, and send it by email to [email protected].

• Tell us about your project, and how audiences will experience it (250 words max)
•  If you have begun work on this project, please provide details of activity to date. (200 words max)         
•  Why are Theatre Deli and this residency opportunity a good fit for this project? (200 words max)
•  Use this space to provide one link to your website or an example of a previous project/work if desired.
•  As well as using random selection, we are actively selecting artists to ensure a wide range of identities are represented. Please use this space to share information about which individuals and communities are involved in your project. (200 words max)
• If you are a resident of Enfield, please tick here. We will ask for proof of address if you are selected for one of the Enfield residencies.  

Any Questions?

Here is everything you need to know about a Theatre Deli residency, including frequently asked questions. 

Need to talk it through? Book a Deli Drop in to speak with a member of the team.

We are committed to making our application accessible to everyone and we realise that some people may find some barriers when applying. This is why we would like to offer Access support for those who might need it. If you require support or would like to discuss more, please contact [email protected]