We also run a regular training programme The Optimists, for emerging artists, creative practitioners and aspiring producers, and a free training programme – Young Producers, for 16–21 year olds.
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China Plate in partnership with Warwick Arts Centre present
The Optimists Spring 2023
The Optimists offers an introduction to the craft of producing professional theatre and art projects and demystifies the financial, administrative, and organisational aspects of producing. Drawing on China Plate’s extensive experience, the Optimists provides knowledge and insight on the practicalities of making, funding, touring, and promoting your work.
This foundation course will consist of ten sessions taking place over 9 weeks for up to 20 participants. Launching on Saturday 13th May at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Dates: Sessions will take place between Saturday 13th May – Saturday 8th July 2023
Location: 8 x online on Thursday evenings (6-9pm) and 2 x extended in-person on Saturdays (2-6pm)
Course Cost:
Bursaries covering the full cost of the course will be available to those who have faced racism, discrimination and/or cultural barriers due to their ethnicity, disability, D/deafness, gender identity or socio-economic background – see application guidelines for details.
Who is it for?
The course is suitable for emerging producers, administrators, artists, creative practitioners, etc who are hoping to develop their skills as professional producers, or as a producer of their own work, in the subsidised arts sector.
The course is open to those working across different art forms (e.g., dance, live art, spoken word, etc) but has a particular focus on producing and touring live work in the theatre industry.
Participants should have at least 12 months of professional/industry experience in the arts sector – it is not aimed at those who have recently graduated or who are completely new to working in the arts sector. This course is not appropriate for those with more than 3 years of professional experience working as a producer.
“The knowledge, guidance, and resources (given) over the complete course are simply amazing. I have grown as an artist, producer, and all-round theatre-maker, and learned a plethora of transferable skills along the way.” – Optimists Alumni
Application guidelines and FAQ’s are available to download below, which provide further information about the course. Accessible formats are available, including a BSL & captioned introduction, audio introduction and large print formats.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A BSL & CAPTIONED INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE COURSE.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AN AUDIO INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE COURSE.
Deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Monday 17th April.
Click on the ‘How To Apply’ button in the top right hand corner for more information on how to submit your application.
Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 28th April. Spaces on our Optimists courses are usually oversubscribed, and due to the number of applications received, we are unfortunately unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
If you have any questions, please contact our Training & Development Producer Kristina on [email protected]
Please ensure that you have read the application guidelines in full before applying.
Applications should include the following:
Completed application form/questions.
CV/information about your work.
Equal Opportunities Form (optional); click here to access the form.
You can apply for a place on The Optimists course using one of the options below:
Option 1: Click here for the online application form.
Option 2: Download the application form from our website here and email it directly.
Option 3: Write your application directly into an email using the questions from the application form.
All emailed applications can be sent to [email protected]
Please write ‘Optimists Application / your name’ in the subject line.
The application includes the opportunity to upload video/voice files or filmed BSL sections if preferable – please refer to the application form here for guidance.
The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Monday 17th April
Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 28th April.
If you need any help with your application or would like more information, please refer to our FAQ’s here or email [email protected]
We’re recruiting for a Producer!
We’re looking for a skilled and creative Producer to join our friendly, versatile team. This person will take the lead on producing touring theatre work at different scales, as well as helping us to find and develop new ideas for national stages.
At China Plate we work with different Producers in different ways, and not all of us come from theatre backgrounds. This Producer role, however, does require theatre or relevant live performance experience. It would suit someone who enjoys taking a leadership role – managing creative teams and deciding the direction of travel for projects.
Our company values are important to us, so we’re looking for someone who is passionate about inclusion, care, and environmental responsibility, and who will be excited to think about how we can practically embed these values in the work we do. We’re also exploring how we can work together with people in Birmingham and beyond to find new ideas for projects – so we’d love to find a Producer who is as comfortable in community workshops as they are negotiating contracts.
To apply, please download our job pack below and submit your application by midday on Tuesday 18 April.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 9 May in our Birmingham office, with the potential of second interviews held remotely.
The salary bracket for this role is £31,000 – £35,000. We’ll consider the job description in light of the successful applicant’s skills and experience, and make them a salary offer within the salary bracket.
We have offices in Birmingham (Digbeth) and London (Whitechapel). Home/remote working proposals will be considered, but some in-person office and project presence necessary.
China Plate are a Disability Confident Committed employer and will offer access support to interviewees as well as to the successful applicant as required.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AN AUDIO INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE ROLE
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A BSL & CAPTIONED INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE ROLE
An easy read introduction about the role is also available below.
If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! If you have any queries or would like to set up an informal chat about the role, please contact our Executive Director Chloe on [email protected]
To apply, please send a covering letter of no more than two sides of A4, or a video or audio recording of no more than 5 minutes, explaining:
Why you are interested in the role
How you fulfil the person specification
Any other key experience you would like to tell us about relating to the responsibilities of the job
Please also include your CV, or a separate video or audio recording detailing your previous employment experience and any qualifications.
Please send your application to [email protected] with the subject line Producer Application by midday Tuesday 18 April.
Please also help us by completing an Equal Opportunities form using this link – https://forms.gle/QNqXn4Vn6HN5J4hj7 – this data is anonymous and will be used to help us monitor who our job opportunities are reaching.
All candidates will be notified by phone or email to confirm whether they have been shortlisted. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 9 May at our Birmingham office, with the potential of second interviews held remotely.
If you are offered the role, we will ask you to provide two professional references we can contact. We will also need to confirm that the successful candidate has the right to work in the UK prior to contracting.