Novo Theatre reaffirms commitment to local talent
Novo Theatre has relaunched its development programme as Novo Talent as part of a new era for the theatre company.
Novo Theatre has unveiled Novo Talent - continuing the success of the former GROW Development Programme - to support and empower freelance theatre makers in the North East.
Offering opportunities for a wide range of freelance creative, producing and production roles, Novo Talent will continue to nurture a diverse and sustainable creative workforce in the region.
Since launching in June 2023, the programme has supported seven freelance beneficiaries with paid contracts, mentoring and training bursaries.
“Novo Talent has helped me sustain a creative career in the North East. Through freelance contracts and a development bursary I have been able to develop my practice and flourish since moving back to the region.”
As well as providing expert support to individuals at all stages of their theatre career, the programme is committed to inspiring the next generation of theatre makers to explore creative careers through school workshops, assemblies and work experience opportunities.
To date, over 3,000 pupils from five Northumberland secondary schools have accessed careers activities highlighting the broad range of careers available in theatre and post-16 progression routes.
“Working closely with Novo Theatre has provided our students with an opportunity to explore career pathways in the creative sector with a particular focus on theatre.
Being a company situated very close to school has helped to break down barriers that students may have had about careers in this sector being mainly found in large cities. As a result, this has increased the confidence of our students to consider this as a viable career pathway.”
News of the revamped development programme follows the rebrand of the company from November Club to Novo Theatre - a new identity more fitting of its objectives and goals in supporting regional theatre.
“Novo Talent is embedded into our programme. The key to its success has been giving freelancers at all stages of their career meaningful contracts and control over their own CPD (continued professional development).
We want to change perceptions of who can work in theatre, the roles available, and the value placed on creative careers.
We particularly want to highlight to young people living in Northumberland and the North East that it’s possible to pursue a career in theatre right here, in our wonderful region.”