Can international companies take part?
International companies will be able to attend the Directors' Weekend, but will not automatically receive a visit from a Connections Director, development notes or the opportunity to perform at a Partner Theatre Festival. If you would like a Connections Director to attend and are able to finance their trip yourself, then we are happy to organise and administrate this. If possible, we will also try to accommodate your company at a Partner Theatre Festival, but priority will go to UK companies. The fee for international companies is still the same as for UK companies.
Other than the fee, what other costs are involved?
The costs incurred will vary from company to company. These could include travel, accommodation, rehearsal and production costs and venue hire. There is advice on fundraising in your Connections Handbook.
Which Partner Theatre will I be working with?
We will let you know by November which Partner Theatre you will be paired with.
When pairing companies, we look at the nearest Partner Theatre to your company, as this will have an impact on travel time/cost, audience numbers at your Partner Theatre performance and the likelihood of forming a lasting relationship with your local theatre. As a general rule, we aim to ensure companies are within 2 hours travel time from their Partner Theatre, although this is not always possible. For returning companies, we cannot guarantee that you will be paired with the same Partner Theatre as you have been previously.
Is Connections a competition?
It is not a formal competition or an assessment of ability.
Connections is a showcase of the national spread and the diversity of groups taking part. The companies chosen to perform at the NT Festival are selected by the Connections team, directors and writers. One production of each play will be transferred to the National Theatre festival in London.
We do look for clarity and audibility, clear story-telling, conviction and energy in the cast, and pace. We like to see productions that have observed and realised the writer’s intentions for the play, as the NT Festival is also a showcase for the plays themselves. We are also interested in how groups respond to feedback from the Connections Director when transferring their play to the Partner Theatre Festival.
Can I enter two or more groups?
We will accept more than one application from the same company, however we won't necessarily select both applications.
What happens if I'm not accepted on to Connections?
We'll let you know in October whether your application has been successful. Even if you were unsuccessful in your application for Connections 2021, we would encourage you to apply for Connections 2022. Unless you indicate otherwise, we will also add you to a waiting list should any companies withdraw their application prior to the Directors’ Weekend.
When can I apply for Connections 2021?
Applications for Connections 2021 will open in September 2021.
How much does it cost, and are bursaries available?
The cost for new companies taking part in Connections 2021 will be at a reduced rate of £400. This is to acknowledge that, due to circumstances out with our control, there may be some change and flexibility needed for the 2021 cycle, and we hope to still make Connections as accessible as possible for any company wishing to take part. We will still offer our usual bursaries. These are given on a case by case basis, and the bursary application forms a section of the initial application form. You will be expected to write a brief summary indicating why cost may be a barrier to your participation, and how a bursary might be used. You will find out if you have been successful in your bursary application when you are notified of your place on Connections 2021.
