The Producer Pathway scheme, supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, is Unity’s 6-month-long support programme for early to mid-career Producers based in Liverpool City Region who are ready to take the next step in their producing journeys. 

In 2021/22 we welcomed the first cohort to what was then known as Level Up Producers. 6 brilliant producers and producing companies embarked onto the scheme to level up their producing skills. 

We’re running the programme again for 2023! 

The importance of feeling confident and capable in your ability to produce can make all the difference for self-producing creatives. We hope that the Producer Pathway scheme will make a big impact on our Producers, as well as the next wave of Merseyside artists who will benefit from their mentoring and guidance. 

 

What is it? 

Free to take part, Producer Pathway is designed to offer participants several benefits which will enhance their careers. As part of the scheme, participants will benefit from the following: 

• numerous social events with other Producer Pathway participants
• x2 intensive weekenders (see below for details)
• 1-to-1 mentoring support from Unity’s Associate Producer
• peer learning from other participants
• Creative’Pool membership benefits
• a network of producers local to Merseyside

 

Who is it for? 

Artists who are looking to develop their careers are who we’re looking for. You might have some specific goals in mind, or simply wish to learn some new skills. If that’s you, then this is for you! 

Whether you’re an individual artist, independent producer, a company or a collective, you are welcome to apply to Producer Pathways. The opportunity is geared towards artists who would consider themselves early-to-mid-career. 

Artists must either be making work or planning to do so. Participants may consider themselves producers or self-producing artists already, or they might be new to the idea of producing their own work. Though the scheme will largely focus on training of theatre related formats, we would encourage non-theatre artists to apply to as there are many overlaps in learning. 

Participants must be either scouse, Merseyside-based, or Merseyside-trained; with a view to some of their future practice being developed in the Liverpool City Region. 

In the application form, there is an opportunity to for you to tell us about your specific wants and needs for development as producers. The programme of workshops, mentoring and training is carefully tailored to these needs. There’s also a real emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and mentoring, and we hope the group will continue to support and champion each other long after the course is over. 

 

When is it? 

The schedule is as follows: 

Meet & Greet: a chance for successful applicants to meet, have a drink and watch Algebra by Stuart Crowther on Thursday 9th March 2023 at Unity Theatre. Meet at 18:30 for the 19:30 show start, there is also an optional post-show discussion. 

Weekender One: Friday 24th March & Saturday 25th March 2023.  

Weekender Two: Friday 9th June & Saturday 10th June 2023. 

Approx 10:00-17:30 each day, TBA.

Mentoring with Unity’s Associate Producer will be arranged on an ‘as required’ basis, with a view of holding at least 2 sessions for each artist.

 

What are the weekenders? 

Designed as an opportunity for intensive learning with little outside distraction, the two weekenders are the main feature of Producer Pathway. Participants will gather on both dates to take part in industry masterclass workshops from professionals in the creative industries. You can expect sessions on topics such as: touring theatre models, financial management, touring logistics, sustainable producing, inclusivity, access, coaching and more. You will gain skills and develop the confidence to take you to the next steps of your producing journey. 

For those participants who require childcare, we will be able to offer a creche facility on request. The opportunity is unpaid, but participants’ reasonable travel expenses can be claimed. 

 

What did the 2022 cohort say?

• 100% would recommend the course to others
• 97% of Creative’pool artists feel there are more producers/artists with producing skillsets in the city thanks to the programme
• 100% of them feel they have a better understanding of producing thanks to the programme

“Huge opportunity to develop and connect with other artists in the region. Greatly developed confidence in my own abilities as a producer and taught many skills in an non judgemental environment.”

“It has given me the confidence and skills to be able to develop my career as a producer”

 

How do I apply? 

Applications to be a Producer Pathway participant can be submitted via: 

• Via application form which you can find by following this link. You may wish to work on your answers offline, and then paste your answers into the form once you are ready to submit. 
• Via video. Please provide answer to all of the questions in the application form. 
• Via letter posted to George Soave, Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG. Please provide answer to all of the questions in the application form.
  

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday 26th February, 23:59

We aim to inform participants of whether they have become a Producer Pathway participant by Thursday 2nd March. 

 

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