PLAYlab – Open Call

PLAYlab is a developmental platform at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, targeting artists or collectives interested in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) for children twelve years old and under.

PLAYlab aims to provide opportunities for research and development in the creation of new ideas for TYA productions. These ideas can come in the form of performances, workshops, or other forms of activities. We are excited about new ideas and ways to interact and with engage young audiences through the performing arts, and we hope to enable artists seeking to develop their professional practice in the field of TYA.

We would like to invite artists to submit their ideas for exploration by 23 Dec 2022, Fri, 11.59pm. This submission can be in the form of a short writeup that will act as an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be part of the PLAYlab platform. Shortlisted ideas will be supported through opportunities for critical feedback, an honorarium and a work-in-progress showcase. These ideas may also have the potential to be further developed for Esplanade’s various platforms.

If you are an artist or a collective curious, keen, and excited about developing new works and ideas for TYA, this platform is for you!

Yes. However, please ensure that you have full, written permissions to apply from the original rights holders which could include, but is not limited to, the artists/designers you worked with, the organisation/collective/organising body that presented your work and/or the original producers of the work.

Additionally, you should offer some information on how you would like to take the opportunity of PLAYlab to further develop your idea using the resources afforded by the platform. Do also share with us some documentation of the original iteration (photos, videos, writings etc.) for our reference.

Up to five proposals will receive the following support to develop their PLAYlab idea:

1. Up to a maximum of SGD 3,000 for honorariums and production costs, which also includes expenses related to securing your own rehearsal/meeting venues and other preparatory costs such as transport, props, stationery etc.

2. Idea presentation platform at Esplanade as part of March On 2023 for critical feedback from audiences, including practitioners, educators, caregivers, children and producers.

• Each group will be required to present a 10 to 15 minutes presentation of their proposed idea to a live audience as part of March On. The presentation can take the form of e.g. a lecture-performance, demonstration, workshop or any other presentation formats that best benefit the proposal’s objectives as part of its explorations at PLAYlab.

• The presentation will be located at the Esplanade Recital Studio in March 2023. Please refer to the schedule below for the tentative dates. All five groups will share a standardized set of basic lighting and sound equipment and some production manpower support.

• Each presentation will be accompanied by a question and answer session with the attending audiences.

• We will also organise a sharing session for each group to share their process and insights with fellow selected applicants and other interested practitioners and stakeholders as part of the final debrief and feedback process.

No.

We accept applications by email until 23 Dec 2022, Fri, 11.59pm. Upon receipt of your application, we will invite applicants to attend an in-person or online live pitch session with the PLAYlab programming team during the month of Dec 2022 and early Jan 2023.

Selected applicants will be notified by 13 Jan 2023, Fri.

The main working period for PLAYlab will fall between Feb to Mar 2023, with a final debrief/sharing session in Apr 2023.

Yes! Please email us at family@esplanade and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.