Taking place on Day-1 of Emporium on Tuesday 27 October, Early Dialogue Day provides artists/companies the opportunity to discuss plans for new work or early-stage work with programmers and presenters from across Scotland.
Applications for Early Dialogue Day are now closed.
If you have any questions about this event or the application process please contact hello@scottishtheatre.org.
If you are a venue or programmer interested in attending Early Dialogue Day please send and email to hello@scottishtheatre.org to register your interest.
What do I need to know as an applicant?
Application is open to both FST members and Non-members. Successful applicants will be offered a platform at which to present their projects at Early Dialogue Day on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at the Briggait in Glasgow. This will consist of informal 10-minute presentations given at a table with no technology other than your own laptop/tablet (if desired).
All presentations will be followed by time for feedback, questions and discussion.
All successful applicants will receive support in the form of pitching training at an in-person half day workshop, as well as one-to-one conversations with our Producer Facilitators.
The objectives of this early dialogue day are to:
- Provide a platform for artists/companies to present one proposal for future work to programmers
- Provide informal networking opportunities
- Allow space for people to have early-stage conversations about their work
- Create opportunities for artists to build touring networks for their work
- Look at developing a 3-way relationship between creator– venue – audiences
- Explore the possibilities of collaboration or co-producing
- Ultimately make companies and venues more informed and sustainable
Please note that Early Dialogue Day will not provide opportunities for presentation of work that is ready or nearly ready to tour, or for making introductory presentations on artists/companies work in general – presentations must focus on a specific new piece of work that is at an early stage of development.
Feedback from Early Dialogue Day (Showcase Day) 2020
‘My work was given the space and care throughout to thrive and to expand into the showcase experience. – I was approached on the day and on Market Day and since about my On Stage work for touring. – FST Team and the Facilitators were diligent and supportive throughout’
‘We had absolutely brilliant converations that went into surprising directions. So this was a double success – I really felt like we reached the people we needed to reach (and were equipped to reach those people given the training day and emailed materials) and I was pleasantly surprised at some other connections.’
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- The work must not have been previously produced or presented
- The work must not be planned for touring/presenting any sooner than January 2027.
- The planned production must be of a high quality in terms of performance, production values and content delivery.
- Evidence of positive independent critical and/or peer recognition of the artist’s/company’s work.
- There must be at least one Scottish Artist leading on the creation of the piece.
- The work must be planning to tour around Scotland.
- The lead artist/creator must be available to attend a half day training event in September 2026 (Festival Theatre, Edinburgh). Ideally, the artist/creator will be accompanied by their producer/main collaborator at this training event.
- The lead artist/creator (and their producer if applicable), must be available to attend Early Dialogue Day, all day, on Tuesday 27 October, The Briggait, Glasgow
Additional factors which may be taken into account in the selection include:
- Ensuring a balance of presentations across scale and type of work
- Current programming trends
- The capacity of the artist/company to follow up on touring and collaboration opportunities arising from inclusion in the programme
The selection panel will be made up of promoters and venue programmers to ensure that the projects selected will appeal to a range of delegates.
Once the projects have been selected, artists/companies will be assigned a facilitator to help to support them through the process. Following attendance at the September training session, artists/companies will have at least one further meeting with their facilitator prior to presenting work at Early Dialogue Day on 27 October.
The closing date for applications is Friday 17 July, 12 noon.
The selection will be made and artists will be notified of the outcomes in August .
Selected artists will be able to claim a small travel bursary to support their attendance at the training day and Early Dialogue Day event.
Market Day (Wednesday 28 October)
If you are selected to present work at the Emporium Early Dialogue Day on 27 October this does not automatically enroll you as a delegate at the Emporium Market Day on 28 October although your presence at that day is highly recommended.
Online booking for Emporium Market Day 2026 will open at the end of May – please see our website for further details and to register.
More information to come–check back soon!