Homegrown theatre, where you take centre stage

The Lakeside Theatre, at the heart of our Colchester Campus, is a performing arts theatre dedicated to putting University of Essex students and alumni centre stage.

We believe that theatre is for everyone. You don’t have to be studying drama to be a performer, actor, director, producer or technician!

In this blog post our theatre team dive a little deeper into how the Lakeside Theatre champions and develops theatre makers at Essex through our Homegrown programme.

What is Homegrown?

Homegrown is what we call our performing arts talent development programme.

ANY Essex student, staff or alumni from ANY academic discipline can put on a show on one of our stages! That’s right, if you have an idea for a performance, you can put on a show at the Lakeside Theatre.

You might be a Law student (for example) who still loves writing and wants to try out a new project on a real stage with a live audience. Or, you might have a group of friends all with a passion for the performing arts and want to put on your own adaptation of Hamlet!

If you are currently studying at Essex or are an Essex graduate or alumnus, you can apply to bring your show to the Lakeside Theatre.

How do I get on the stage?

You need to tell us about your show!

We have a Homegrown application form which anyone can complete at any time in the academic year, there is no open and close for Homegrown, although we do targeted call outs for new applications at different points in the year.

Homegrown has two “levels” that can be applied for: First Steps and Next Level.

First Steps is designed to support those who want to take their first steps into the performing arts and provides students and alumni the opportunity to try out their ideas on our studio stage.

Ideal for current students and recent graduates working on the first pieces, you will be mentored by the Lakeside Theatre team and supported with a small budget to help bring your ideas to the stage.

Even very experienced theatre makers can still apply for First Steps though! Particularly if they are looking to R&D, get feedback on or workshop new writing!

Next Level is designed to provide a bigger platform for more established student and alumni productions, with the aim of allowing students and alumni to bring a well-developed and more professional production to our mighty main stage!

Next Level productions will receive the same guidance and mentorship from the Lakeside Theatre team, but you will be expected to have an established team, production or theatre company and have ideas about artistry, marketing and performance.

A great way to take your show to a big stage and kick-start a tour, Homegrown Next Steps aims to support the professionalism of student and alumni theatre makers and provide you with a big stage to help launch your career or a production.

What makes it to the stage?

Almost anything! We love original writing and drama, but we welcome performances from a variety of genres, including; dance, spoken word, monologues, new writing, adaptations, musical performances, comedy, drag…

If you have a completely unique idea, why not run it by us first before applying. Drop us an email on arts@essex.ac.uk.

You can also find out more about the Homegrown programme and explore past productions on the Lakeside Theatre website.

How do I apply?

The application process is pretty straightforward: complete the application form, tell us about your show and which level you are applying for and we’ll get back to you with feedback and a decision.

If you’d like to talk through your ideas first before making an application, please send the Lakeside Theatre team an email on arts@essex.ac.uk.