Do you want to develop your skills as a performer, try new things and explore where your creativity could take you next?

Next Stage is a 14-week artistic development programme for 16 young refugees and asylum seekers. Across the programme, you will work with professional artists and facilitators, take part in masterclasses, experiment with different artistic approaches, develop your own ideas and work alongside other young artists.

The programme will give you time and space to explore what kind of artist you might want to become - without needing to already know the answer.

The programme will culminate in a small sharing of work created by the group.

When?
Every Sunday from October 11 to January 31, 2027

What time?
10:30am - 4:30pm

Where?
Siobhan Davies Studios, St George’s Road, SE1 6ER

We are looking for young people who:

Aged 18–30
Currently seeking asylum or have refugee status
Based in London
Able to attend all 14 sessions
Creative and curious, with an interest in performing
Excited to explore your creative potential and develop your voice as an artist
Interested in collaborating with other young artists

You do not need to have formal arts training or professional experience to apply. We are not looking for the most experienced or polished performers. We are interested in your curiosity, creativity, potential and willingness to develop.

How to apply?

The application has two parts:

Part 1. An application form with some short questions to answer. You can either submit the answers as a video (no more than 3 mins) or written answers.

Part 2. A short creative task video

- What interests do you creatively?
- What drew you to the Next Stage programme?
- Can you tell us about your favorite theatre / film / TV series / book you have seen? Like giving us a recommendation!
Photo upload
Upload a photo of yourself - if you can.
Share something that gives us a sense of you as an artist.
This could be:
- a short monologue
- a poem
- a piece of your own writing
- a piece of dance
- storytelling
- or something else that you have created or chosen.
You can choose a piece from our suggested materials [from this google drive here], or perform something of your own.
You do not need to make a professional-looking video. A phone recording is absolutely fine. We are interested in you and your creative ideas, not the quality of your filming.
If making a video is difficult for you, you can let us know and we can discuss another way for you to apply.