University Associate Call

Are you Drama students who have formed a theatre company whilst studying at the University of Exeter, or are you planning to form a theatre company now?

Staying in Exeter after graduating?

Want a year of support from Exeter Northcott to help you take your next steps?

Exeter Northcott is once again looking for a graduating (or recently graduated) theatre company from the University of Exeter to join its Associate scheme, as part of its artist development programme ELEVATE.

The selected theatre company will begin their association with us in September 2026, receiving a year of bespoke support from Exeter Northcott, including free rehearsal space, artistic and administrative support from our staff and professional platforms for sharing new work. Associate company members will also receive free and discounted tickets for selected productions.

• It is essential that your theatre company plans to be based in or around Exeter after graduating so that you can contribute to and participate in the South West’s artistic community.
• Your company must be at least partly made up of Exeter Drama students (from any undergraduate or postgraduate programme with Drama or Theatre in the title) who are due to graduate this academic year, or who have graduated in the past 2 years (2023-24 and 2024-25 cohorts.
• The term ‘theatre company’ is used in the broadest sense. You might be a company that has roots in participatory/applied work, focuses on new writing, or has a passion for musicians. Whatever your interest, we want to hear from you!

Fri Feb 20 th 2026:
Call-out opens for expressions of interest from companies comprising final‑year Exeter Drama students or students who have graduated since 2022.

Fri March 20 th 2026:
Final date to receive applications for expressions of interest.

Fri April 17th, 2026:
Shortlisted theatre companies invited to share their work/practice with Exeter Northcott in Term
3. This can be invitations to live performances, workshops, rehearsals, or recordings of previous pieces of work.

Fri May 22 nd , 2026:
Successful applicants selected. Companies not selected for the associateship offered an optional feedback meeting with a member of Exeter Northcott’s artistic team.

Monday September 7th, 2026:
The selected company begins their formal association with the Northcott.

Please email Artist development producer Sam Parker ( ) with an expression of interest detailing the follow:

About the company
This could feature basic information about the company, short company member biographies, and any work you might have done together already.

What next? (100 words max.)
This section should tell us about your hopes for the company.

How could Exeter Northcott best support you?
Specifics on what you might need from us during your year‑long associateship and when.

A referee
Please include contact details for a University of Exeter Drama staff member who knows and can speak for your work.

Applications can be sent in written form (750 words maximum) or via video (no longer than 5 mins).

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to share their work/practice with Exeter Northcott’s artistic team in Term
3. This might mean inviting us to a show you have in the T3 Festival, or to a workshop you are running, or perhaps to a rehearsal, or sharing a digital recording of a previous project. The important thing is we get to see your company’s work.

The selected company will have a meeting with Exeter Northcott in June 2026 to make plans for their residency. All shortlisted companies not selected for the associateship will receive feedback upon request.

The selection panel will feature members of the Exeter Northcott artistic team, Drama staff from the University of Exeter, and Exeter Drama alumnae who have formed a theatre company.

If you have any questions, if you need to apply in a different format or you require any additional support, please email Sam Parker ( ).

ELEVATE is Exeter Northcott’s programme designed to ensure we are doing everything we can to support South-West artists in taking their next steps.