NTL MAKERS’ LAB | OCT-NOV 2025

A NEW COLLABORATIVE SERIES OF THEATRE MAKING WORKSHOPS FACILITATED BY ADAM DAVIES

WHAT IS THE MAKERS’ LAB?

The Makers’ Lab is an annual run workshop series at the Northern Theatre Laboratory in Manchester. It brings laboratory theatre making practices fresh from Animikii’s current projects to the work at the NTL; practices that are rooted in collaboration and experimentation, invention and re-invention, trial and error, push and pull.

The Lab gives makers, performers and anyone curious enough to challenge themselves a collaborative space to go beyond interpretation, and discover invention in their theatre making and performing. Under the personal mentoring of Adam Davies and Martha Simon (Associate Director/Dramaturg) each participant will be given the tools to dig for sources of inspiration, ask rich questions of their material, and, alongside the facilitators, co-develop and feedback their discoveries into the active research.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

At the beginning you will be given a starting stimulus. Over the series you will be introduced to (and encouraged to expand on) exercises and methods to create embodied, inventive and rich pieces of theatre performance.

The series is made up of 4 x in-studio work and 3 x online creative writing/dramaturgical sessions over 8 weeks. It is designed to give you time and space to research and craft your own pathway through the work, creating your own conclusion. You will be encouraged to give your fullest attention to your creative work and to breathe new life into your practice.

If you are a maker or a performer searching for new ways to approach your work this series is for you!

COST

£165 - FULL COST

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this year’s autumn series you must first complete an application before the deadline before being invited to pay your fees. This ensures those on low income are able to apply in parity with those who are more financially secure (therefore removing the unfairness of a first come first served process). After the deadline for applications passes the applications will be processed and successful applicants will be invited to secure your place through payment of fees in order to attend. Other applicants could be asked to go onto a waiting list by paying a refundable deposit of £45.

PLEASE BE ADVISED that to be considered for this series you MUST complete the APPLICATION IN FULL by following the link below.

DEADLINE: 22ND SEPTEMBER at 5PM. (12 PLACES AVAILABLE)

Structured Payments Plans Available: If you would benefit from spreading your payment over a longer period of time please let us know within your application.

All fees will need to be paid by 29TH SEPTEMBER unless on a pre-agreed structured payment plan.

ITINERARY

IN-STUDIO SESSION #1: 11TH OCTOBER (10am-4pm)

ONLINE SESSION #1: 15TH OCTOBER (7pm-9pm)

IN-STUDIO SESSION #2: 25TH OCTOBER (10am-4pm)

ONLINE SESSION #2: 29TH OCTOBER (7pm-9pm)

IN-STUDIO SESSION #3: 8TH NOVEMBER (10am-4pm)

ONLINE SESSION #3: 12TH NOVEMBER (7pm-9pm)

IN-STUDIO SESSION #4: 22ND NOVEMBER (10am-4pm)

MEET THE TEAM