We are committed to supporting Artists to navigate their way through making Theatre for Young Audiences, exploring brand new ideas and finding new voices for the sector.
Polka develops and stages work for 0-12 year olds, with a focus on work that is inspiring, memorable, relevant and unique. Our audiences are children, and we make work for them as audiences of now, not future adult audiences for tomorrow.
We prioritise support for artists, from all creative disciplines, currently underrepresented in the sector. This includes those marginalised due to ethnicity, disability status, gender identity, sexuality, age and socio-economic status. We pride ourselves on a commitment to accessible work, and having an accessible building.
Check out the strands of support we offer below, and how you can get involved with Polka’s artistic programme.
Getting Programmed at Polka
Polka co-produces around 7 productions annually, and invites between 15-19 companies to stage their work in either our 300 seat Main Theatre, or 95 seat Adventure Theatre.
If you have a production you would like us to consider for programming, please invite us to see it by emailing [email protected]. We will only programme work that we have seen – this can include development phase.
Programming Policy: Polka caters for ages 0-12, so all work must be suitable within this age range. Our programming priorities include work that feels relevant in 2024, is memorable and inspiring, has exceptional production values and puts child audiences at its core. A lot of this work is made directly with children’s input. Work that is accessible, inclusive and original are key programming factors.
Creating Theatre for Early Years – a new course from Polka and Page One Theatre
We are excited to present a new 10 week evening course for adults exploring how to make theatre for an early years audience. Join Chloe Stephens from Page One Theatre and guest speakers from Polka’s Producing and Artistic teams to develop your skills in this practical and joyful course.
This course is perfect for any artist at any stage of their career looking to expand their knowledge of devising work, of Early Years theatre and its crucial place in the theatre ecology and for artists who are passionate about increasing access to theatre for the very youngest audiences.
Polka Playwriting Award
New for 2024.
We’re proud to announce the Polka Playwriting Award, which will champion exception playwriting and the importance of creating new work for Young Audience. We want to celebrate writers, discover bold stories and new voices, and we encourage writers at any stage of their career to apply.
Applications are currently closed. For the 2024 winner, please read the blog here.
For more information view the page below.
Generously funded by The Garek Trust
Supported by Cockayne and London Community Foundation
Award Partner: Methuen Drama
Artist Development Funding: Catapult Programme
Polka’s Catapult Programme consists of two seed funding strands, which are designed to platform underrepresented Artists and to help bring brand new ideas and concepts to life. Both programmes are open to Artists at any stage of their career, and from any creative discipline.
First Steps: For brand new ideas for audiences of 0-6 years
Next Steps: For taking that first draft or second R&D to the next stage for audiences of 0-12 years
Both strands offer mentoring, training, free rehearsal space, scratch performance opportunities and tickets to Polka productions.
View our 2024 Catapult Programme Artists here.
The next round of applications will open in 2025.
Shadowing/Assisting Opportunities
We are often approached by Artists who have never made Early Years Theatre, or Theatre for Young Audiences before, to shadow or observe R&D, rehearsal or tech processes.
On Polka productions or co-productions we are sometimes able to accommodate requests for this. If you are interested in a particular age group, or style of theatre for 0-12 year olds, we are open to expressions of interest in observing. Please send a CV and specific request to our Senior Producer, Kate, by clicking the button below.
Rehearsal Room Hire for Artists
Polka offers a reduced rate for rehearsal hire for our Nest and Clore Studio spaces.
Check out our hires pack below, or get in contact with our Commercials & Hires Officer for more details.
Associate Artists
We’re excited to present our Associate Companies
These artists encompass the very best of unique, innovative and trailblazing theatre and we’re thrilled to have them become associates and advocates of Polka’s work. Meet the three companies below.
Access
We are committed to removing barriers to anyone with access needs. Most areas of our building are accessible, including our rehearsal room, meeting rooms and stage.
We have an accessible dressing room and an accessible toilet backstage. Both our stages are accessible via level access and a lift.
We are continuing to work on improving our access across the building wherever possible and will always do our best to accommodate anyone who works with us. If you can’t find what you need, please ask.