The City Socials are a new regular event hosted by NTW TEAM designed to bring together artists and freelancers working in creative industries theatre to chat, share, rave and rant.
Created following conversations with Cardiff-based artists, The City Socials respond to a need to strengthen networks. Artists and freelancers working in theatre are encouraged to share the successes and struggles of building a career in the arts and get to know their fellow community. Throughout the evening, there will be networking opportunities and light-touch workshops.
As part of the events, NTW TEAM has commissioned four artists to reside at each City Social venue and explore new work that is urgent, exciting and collaborative.
Following the launch event on 15 August, there will also be scratch performances as part of the next four City Socials.
Through these residencies, we are supporting artists to explore and create new work for audiences in Cardiff. The format aims to populate unique parts of the city connected to the work being made within them.
We’re supporting the selected artists with:
- £2,000 seed funding commission (for the 2-week residency and scratch night performance)
- Mentorship from specially selected individuals
- Space to rehearse and explore ideas in Cardiff
- Production support for a public scratch sharing as part of The City Socials
- Access support (up to £680 per commission)
The artists-in-residence
Writer and multi-disciplinary performer, Leila Navabi will develop a theatre piece that draws from her personal experience of conceiving a child with her partner using a known sperm donor who is one of their best friends. She says:
“I’m thrilled to be working with NTW to develop my next solo debut hour, Relay (working title). This story is not only personal but also intersectional and distinctly Welsh. Relay explores themes of queer family, Welsh identity, queerphobia in healthcare, and queer romance.”
Artist, Kyle Legall will work with actors to develop Somewhere Over the Bay Bro which explores the historical coming back to life in a walk down Bute Street. This audio walk will tell a fantasy story based on historical facts and legends on the streets where the story happened. He says:
“This project will champion local talent. Butetown is a proud example of a place that has transcended the divisions of race, it is a representation of equality, that has existed for centuries, with many races and religions living side by side. The project aims to accept post-gentrification Butetown and tell the story of now, future and past, so what and who are still here can be recognised, valued and celebrated.”
Theatre and film director, writer and dramaturg, Paul Koloman Kaiba will develop a theatre piece that centres on two parallel narratives to highlight the historic connection between the Welsh working class and their Ukrainian counterparts. He says:
“Hughesovka (working title) is a devised theatre piece that explores hope, flight, rebuilding, and community, and one that I am thrilled to work on with the help of National Theatre Wales.”
Theatre-maker, Jesse Briton will work with Cardiff Hong Kongers to develop Marginal Worlds (working title) exploring Cardiff's contemporary Hong Kong diaspora. He says:
“I couldn't be more excited to work with Cardiff Hong Kongers and our collaborating artists from Hong Kong. It's an opportunity to explore an often overlooked part of our shared history and one that has real contemporary impact. Diolch o galon to old friends NTW, and Cardiff Council, for allowing us to go on this adventure.”
National Theatre Wales’ Creative Associate, Justin Teddy Cliffe says:
“We’re so excited to be supporting these artists to explore and create new work. We think their ideas create space for necessary conversation and reflection. With each one allowing us to focus in on Cardiff as a global-hyper-local city, intrinsically linked to the rest of the world. Exploring re-location, crisis, identity, new life and the necessity of community.”
A note about National Theatre Wales
Whilst we work towards a new vision and future, we are continuing to support theatre makers, artists and creatives through NTW TEAM programmes supported by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is being administered by Cardiff Council.
As well as The City Socials, this activity includes the launch of new NTW TEAM initiatives Young Collective and TEAM Collective.
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Contact
For more information, contact NTW’s Creative Associate Justin Teddy Cliffe at justincliffe@nationaltheatrewales.org.
Event times and dates
- Thu 15 Aug - The City Social launch party at The Sustainable Studio, Cardiff
- Thu 26 Sep - The City Social with scratch performance from Leila Navabi at The Sustainable Studio, Cardiff
- Thu 24 Oct - The City Social with scratch performance from Kyle Legall at Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff
- Thu 21 Nov - The City Social with scratch performance from Paul Solomon Kaiba at Porter's, Cardiff
- Thu 5 Dec - The City Social with scratch performance from Jesse Briton and Cardiff Hong Kongers at The Sustainable Studio, Cardiff
Additional information
- Each event will run 18:30 - 21:30
- Tickets are free, booking is required at nationaltheatrewales.org/events/the-city-socials
Access
All venues will be wheelchair accessible.
We welcome emerging freelancers and early-career artists of all kinds. If attendees need support to attend e.g. BSL interpretation or travel costs, get in touch with Justin, our Creative Associate at justincliffe@nationaltheatrewales.org.