CALL FOR APPLICATIONS!!
Barney Simon Residency Project at the Market Theatre Laboratory
With the support of the Barney Simon Trust, the Market Theatre Laboratory offers one residency a year to provide a space for theatre-makers to develop a new work, investigate artistic process, and take creative risks.
The artist will receive a grant of R90 000 to subsidise their project costs, including their creative team, cast, archiving and materials. In addition, the residency project will be given 8 weeks of studio space, access to the Ramolao Makhene Theatre for one week to present the outcomes of the residency (with a technician), access to the internet and some IT resources, and printing.
The resident artist will be asked to engage with the students at The Market Lab through masterclasses, seminars and ‘sharings’ of the creative process. At the end of the Residency, the resident artist will present their creative progress to a larger audience. This residency is open to practitioners of any level of experience, but you must be a practising theatre-maker.
To apply, please submit the following as ONE DOCUMENT (no longer than three pages):
- Brief history of you or your company (Who are you? Where are you based?) Note: this residency is open to individuals however, individuals part of a collective/company are also invited to apply. [Max 200 words]
- A concept note (What is your idea?) Note: this residency is looking for unique ideas situated within unchartered territory. The successful applicant will begin their process of developing the work during the residency – completed texts or finished products will not be considered. [Max 400 words]
- Motivation (Why does your idea/process require the support of The Market Theatre Laboratory?) Note: also think about how your idea/process connects to our teaching & learning space and the overall theatre-making approach of The Market Theatre Laboratory. [Max 400 words]
- How does this idea sit within your overall body of work? (How will it contribute to your existing creative work?) We are interested in how this contributes to your ongoing practice of the craft and how you are thinking about the life of the work after the residency. [Max 200 words]
- Links to support material (Should you have any videos, sound files, photos etc that support your application you can include a link for us to access) Note: We do not accept multiple documents as attachments or we-transfers, please ensure the links you submit provides viewing access and does not expire.
- A budget (Cost breakdown of how you intend to use the grant) Note: The grant is to the value of R90 000-00. No provision of a budget will deem your application incomplete.
A panel will be appointed for the selection process. The residency will take place at the Market Theatre Laboratory from February – March 2026.
Applications are due 30 November 2025, and should be submitted to thandeka@marketlab.co.za
