1. Application & payment

1.1    The deadline for applications to participate in the Cycle is Wednesday 7 October 2020 at 10am. 

1.2    Once your Company has been accepted onto the Cycle, you will be invoiced for your fee.  

1.3    The NT will accept a maximum of 300 UK-based applications for Connections 2021.

1.4    If the NT receives more than 300 applications, it will select companies to ensure a balance of participating groups by age range, type of group and geography, and between those who are new to Connections and those who have taken part before. It will also consider how Companies intend to involve young people in backstage and off-stage roles. The allocation of places is at the National Theatre's discretion, and the NT's decision is final.

Due to restrictions on capacity and resources we are able to offer places to 300 Connections companies for the 2021 cycle. Every year we are significantly over-subscribed with applications and our policy is to prioritise offering places to state schools and youth theatre groups, in order to reach young people who may not have previously had much opportunity to see, make and take part in theatre. Where independent schools can demonstrate in their application that they are partnering with other state schools in their area in a meaningful way, we will take this into consideration.

1.5    Connections companies will consist of young people aged between 13 and 19 years old.

1.6    You must provide one main Company Contact, through whom all communication will be sent.

1.7    All Companies who apply will be notified about whether their application has been successful by mid-October 2021.

1.8    Successful Companies will be sent further information upon receipt of payment, and a log-in to the Connections Community, a secure online community containing Connections resources.

2. Scripts

2.1    Scripts will be available to download from the Connections Community as soon as you have been accepted on Connections 2021. This access is for your Company only. The Scripts may only be copied for use by the Company and must not be passed on to any other person or organisation. An online form will be available for you to select your two preferred Scripts. This must be completed and returned to the NT no later than 30  October 2020. The NT will confirm your Script allocation with your Company Contact shortly after this. 

2.2    Companies will be selected to perform each Script to ensure variety at Partner Theatre festivals. The NT will do everything possible to ensure you receive one of your preferences; however there may be some instances this is not possible.

2.3    The NT strongly encourages each Company not to start rehearsing their Script until after the Directors' Weekend as the Weekend will assist in making artistic decisions in line with the writer's intentions for the piece.

2.4    If, as a result of conversations at the Directors' Weekend, a new version of the Script becomes available, this will be emailed to the Company Contact.

3. Child Licensing

Where required by the local authorities of all of the young people in your Connections company, the Connections Director is responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses for company members taking part in both your Home Performances and Partner Theatre Festival performance.

4. Directors' Weekend, 11 – 15 November 2020

4.1    Attendance at the Directors' Weekend is compulsory for your Company's Director. If your Company's Director fails to attend the Directors' Weekend the NT may, at its discretion, terminate the Company's involvement in Connections 2021. In such circumstances, no refund shall be paid.

4.2    If you would like a second Director to attend the Weekend and we are able to accommodate this there is an additional fee of £10 which must be paid before the Directors' Weekend.

4.3    Each Company will arrange and pay for travel and accommodation for their Director to attend the Directors’ Weekend.

5. Home Performances

5.1    Involvement in Connections 2021 entitles your Company to the performance rights of your selected Script for up to five performances at your school or youth theatre between February 1st - March 15th 2021. Your Production cannot be performed for any purpose outside of the Connections 2020 Cycle. If your preferred home performance date falls outside this range, please contact the Connections team. 

5.2    Your organisation will be responsible for the costs incurred when staging your Production.

5.3    Each Company will specify its choice of Home Performance dates. The NT must be notified of the Company's performance dates by early January 2021 to allow the NT good time to arrange a Connections Mentor Director to attend your Production. If a Connections Mentor Director cannot attend your selected Production date, a suitable alternative date will be sought. If the NT has not received your Production dates by the deadline in early January 2020 it may not be possible for a Connections Director to attend your Production. 

5.4    Your Company Contact will receive Development Notes approximately ten days after your Production.

6. Partner Theatre Festivals

6.1    The NT will allocate the Company to a Partner Theatre, the allocation of Partner Theatres is at the NT's discretion and the NT's decision is final.

6.2    The NT and the Partner Theatres will endeavour to enable all Companies to perform once at a Partner Theatre festival.

6.3    If a Connections Director has not attended the Company's Home Performance due to late notification of dates, it will not be possible to transfer to the Partner Theatre festival.

6.4    If it is not possible for your Company to perform due to theatre scheduling or other restrictions, the NT will discuss alternative options with your Company Contact.

6.5    If performing at a Partner Theatre festival, you must adhere to all guidelines, health and safety and other policies requested by the theatre and theatre manager.

6.6    You will be responsible for coordinating travel arrangements and covering all costs incurred when performing at your Partner Theatre festival.