Started in 2003 to support the development of emerging theatre practitioners engaged in 'bold, challenging and innovative performance', last won by Kristin & Davy McGuire, never won by a circus company (but don't be put off), the Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award is now inviting applications for projects that will be created for summer 2014.
The OSBTT Award supports a company or individual to create a show either for the Pit Theatre, Barbican, or a site-responsive, non-traditional show to take place in East London. The winning show, either at the Pit, or, if site-responsive, elsewhere, will be part of the Barbican Theatre season.
The Award is open to artists from any discipline of performance, but applicants should be long-term normal residents of the UK or Ireland (3 years or more) with production experience of at least two or three fringe, or similar scale, productions in either the UK or Ireland. Well-established companies (with significant or large-scale production history and/or RFO funding) are ineligible, as are students in full-time education. Proposals must also be for new projects with no production history.
Following the open application round, a shortlist will be announced in May 2013 and, following shortlist interviews, two proposals will be picked to each receive a £2500 research and development grant. In autumn 2013 the two projects will show the findings of their R&D and one will be selected to receive the full award: a production grant of up to £32,000, a project mentor, and in-kind support from the Barbican to produce their project for summer 2014.
For more information and details on how to apply see here. Deadline is 5pm on 14 December 2012.