Performer and Facilitator Role (Paid)

Application Deadline – 13th June 9am

Are you an emerging performer, passionate about working with young people and creating bold, socially engaged performance?

The Knotted Project Theatre Company are recruiting 3 x Early Career Artists (ECAs) aged 18–30 to join an ambitious co-creation project in West Cumbria during Summer 2026, before touring to Barrow in October 2026.

This is a paid opportunity focusing on developing talent, the creation and performance of a new production, and nurturing the next generation of young creatives in Cumbria.

 

About the Project

This project has two core aims:

• To co-create a production with local young people before performing alongside them in Summer 2026. This production will then morph and adapt to a new group of young people in October 2026. We hope to empower local young people to express their authentic views about their place, identity and lived experiences through performance.
• To employ and nurture local Early Career Artists who can become part of the creative infrastructure of Cumbria for years to come. 

Key Details

• Role: Performer and Facilitator Role (Early Career Artists)
• Fee: £3200 total fee inclusive of travel. 

Key Dates:

• Workshop Audition – Monday 22nd June or Tuesday 23rd June (Travel Contribution Paid)

West Cumbria Rehearsals 2026 

Frizington and Whitehaven Locations

• Week 1 – 23rd, 24th, 
• Week 2 – 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th July. 
• Week 3 – 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th August
• Week 4 – Production Week – 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th August
• Performance – Saturday 15th August 

Barrow Rehearsals 2026

• 14th, 21st, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 31st October
• Performance – Sunday 1st November.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking 3 x applicants who:

• Are aged 18–30
• Are based in Cumbria and want a creative career here
• Have experience in theatre-making, performance and/or facilitation
• Are passionate about working with young people
• Are collaborative, passionate and ambitious
• Are excited about socially engaged and place-based storytelling

We aren’t looking for the finished article… this is an opportunity for The Knotted Project to meet some amazingly talented young artists with a willingness to learn and develop throughout the project. Ideally candidates would;

• Be able to drive
• Have an Enhanced DBS Certificate

 

What You’ll Be Doing

You will:

• Join our creative team for rehearsals and performances in West Cumbria in Summer 2026 and Barrow in October 2026
• Train in The Knotted Project’s established Co-Creation Methodology
• Develop facilitation and collaborative devising skills
• Work in a rehearsal studio alongside young people from West Cumbria
• Form part of the cast, performing within the final production alongside young people

Together, we will devise an ambitious 45-minute production through a collaborative and dynamic process. The work will be shaped by:

• The lived experiences and local knowledge of young people
• Creative techniques and professional skills brought by the ensemble
• Consultation with community partners and youth voice initiatives

The final production will tell the story of what it is like to be a young person in West Cumbria. The cast of ECA’s will then tour the production to Barrow, connecting with a new group of young people and adapting the production to reflect that new cast. 

 

What You’ll Gain

Through this project, you will:

• Strengthen your facilitation and ensemble devising skills
• Gain high-quality co-creation and performing experience
• Increase your employability within the cultural sector and make new professional relationships
• Join and extend our alumni network of Early Career Artists
• Open potential routes to future employment with The Knotted Project and our partners

We are committed to attracting and retaining creative talent within Cumbria and are excited to offer this opportunity to connect with passionate young creatives. To support the development of the selected candidates, we will also be offering.

• Free Headshots from a professional photographer
• Showreel Footage 
• Industry connections, tailored to you and your interests where possible

Why This Matters

This is a chance to:

• Help shape a new model of co-creation
• Tell urgent important local stories
• Develop your career in a meaningful way

If you’re ready to grow as an artist while helping young people find their voice, we want to hear from you.

 

To Apply

To apply, please email your response to the following points in no longer than 2 x A4 sides. 

• An introduction to you and your creative training / career to date
• Why are you excited about this opportunity and what do you hope to gain from being involved?
• What skills would you bring to our creative team? (EG. Are you a trained dancer? A writer? A skilled puppeteer? A musician? An experienced workshop facilitator? Etc)
• Please share your Instagram / Social Media handles, or website if available

 

Please send your application to Simon at info@theknottedproject.co.uk no later than the Application Deadline – 13th June 9am

All applicants informed of initial decisions by 15th June.

Applicants may then be invited to attend a workshop style audition in a Cumbrian Location with Directors of The Knotted Project, Simon McElligott and Natalie Morrell, as well as Director of Everyone Here, Kieran Sheehan.

Auditions on 22nd or 23rd June in Cumbrian Location tbc.

Final decisions shared with all applicants no later than Friday 26th June

 

If you’d appreciate a casual chat to discuss your suitability for the role before applying, we’d be happy to arrange that. Please email Simon at info@theknottedproject.co.uk to request a short phone call.

 

ADAPT is supported using public funding through the National Lottery by Arts Council England and is produced by The Knotted Project.

This opportunity is made possible with support from a range of valuable partnerships. With thanks to Everywhere Everything Everyone CIC, Everyone Here CPP, See It To Be It Place Partnership, Rosehill, Full of Noises, Brewery Arts.