Seven Dials Playhouse Opens Applications for Artist Development Programmes
Seven Dials Playhouse has opened applications for the next round of its artist development initiatives, First Steps and Next Step. Both funded programmes offer theatre-makers time, space, and financial support to develop new work, with paid development at Equity minimum rates and free rehearsal facilities.
Launched earlier in 2025, the initiatives aim to give artists at any stage of their careers a chance to experiment, explore, and refine projects. The first cohort included productions ranging from gig theatre and puppetry to psychological drama and queer musical comedy.
“First Steps gave us the space to fail forward,” says Taylor Ayling, co-director of Defenestration. “It allowed the work to breathe — and in doing that, it allowed us to grow.”
Cal-I Jonel, writer of There’s a Mouse in the Kitchen and a Next Step participant, adds: “It felt like the initiative is literally designed to facilitate the natural next step for this piece. I felt welcome here because this is exactly what my project needed.”
Katie Pesskin, Creative Director of Seven Dials Playhouse, said the programmes are designed to make artistic development sustainable and accessible. “These initiatives are about more than the individual projects; they’re about creating a culture where experimentation is valued and supported. We want to give artists the time and resources to take their next creative step.”
Applications are open from 3–27 November 2025. Full details and the application process are available at www.sevendialsplayhouse.co.uk/artists.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
