Call-out for performers for Rough Mix

 5- 16 February 2024

What is Rough Mix?

Rough Mix is a paid creative lab for practising artists from any discipline. Developed and run by Magnetic
North, a theatre company that specialises in creating new work and encouraging multi-art form approaches,
this will be the fourteenth edition of this unique programme. We are delivering this year’s Rough Mix in
partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival as part of a range of activity in the area in 2024.
Rough Mix encourages boldness and innovation in the work of the artists who take part by giving them a
unique opportunity to have a creative interaction with artists from different disciplines in a focused and
supportive atmosphere. It is curated and led by Magnetic North’s Artistic Director Nicholas Bone, who has
developed a distinctive and widely-respected approach to developing new work and creating links between
artists and art-forms. Previous participants include playwrights, choreographers, visual artists, film-makers,
and composers. Previous editions of Rough Mix have been run in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Peebles,
Perth, Auckland, Stirling and online.

Rough Mix brings together 4 lead artists, each with a new idea to develop, 2 collaborating artists and an
ensemble of 5 performers. Each lead artist spends time observing, assisting or collaborating on the other
artists’ projects as well as working on their own project. Rough Mix culminates in a low-key, low-tech
sharing of work in progress to an invited audience.
Rough Mix 2024 is in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and will take place in person at
Cample Line.

“Exactly what I wanted and needed. A development experience in a safe space with a dynamic and interesting group.”
Sara Sharaawi, playwright

What sort of performers are we looking for?

We’re creating an ensemble of five flexible, open performers from theatre, performance and dance
backgrounds. The performers will be working with artists from different artforms trying out new ideas or
new ways of working. Experience of improvisational or development work would be helpful; an open mind
and a willingness to get stuck in are essential.
We are looking for a mix of skills in the ensemble, including performers from a text-based theatre
background, physical theatre performers, dancers, and performers who can sing or play an instrument.
Performers will be paid a fee of £600/week. Working time is 10am-5pm Monday-Friday, plus the end of
project sharing on Friday 16 February.

We are particularly interested in hearing from performers who are based in Dumfries and Galloway.
If you live more than 25 miles from Cample Line we will also pay travel costs and, where appropriate,
provide accommodation. We have a separate budget for access costs and are available to discuss access
needs at any stage of the application process which feels right for you

How does it work?

The 4 lead artists all bring to Rough Mix an idea or starting point for a project, or a new approach they are
interested in exploring. At the start of the fortnight they will introduce their project to the other artists and
the performing ensemble.

During the residency, each lead artist will have dedicated time to work on their own idea as well as the
opportunity to observe and collaborate with the other artists. The collaborating artists and the performers
will work with the lead artists to develop their ideas. We will be working across two spaces at Cample Line,
typically in different combinations of people in the first week, with teams for each project becoming more
defined in the second week as the projects take shape.

How to apply

Please read this section carefully to make sure you send the right information with your application.
Rough Mix will take place at Cample Line from 5 – 16 February 2024. You must be available for the whole
fortnight in order to take part. We will be working from 10am-5pm (GMT), Monday to Friday and also
during the evening of Friday 16 February.
You apply by filling out a short application form.
You will be asked to tell us why you have the relevant experience to take part in a process of this nature
and what skills you will bring to the group. You will need to provide:

● An outline of your previous work and experience (up to 300 words)
● A CV

The online application form is here.

The closing date for applications is 10am on Monday 4 December 2023; all applicants will hear back from
us by Friday 15 December.

All applications will be read and discussed by Nicholas Bone (Artistic Director), Anna Hodgart (Producer),
Ellen Renton (Artist Development Administrator) of Magnetic North and Simon Hart (Director and CEO) of
Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival. Final decisions will be made in consultation with the lead artists.

Questions?

If you would like this information in an alternative format – large print or audio transcription – or want to
make your application in an alternative format, please contact us at
artistdevelopment@magneticnorth.org.uk

If you have any questions about Rough Mix or the application process, please email
artistdevelopment@magneticnorth.org.uk for advice.

“The time gave me a space to re-think ideas in an environment that was truly sympathetic to experimentation. Such opportunities are truly so rare.”
Marisa Zanotti, choreographer/film-maker