Get Involved GROW, Development Programme Here at November Club we’re passionate about supporting a flourishing, representative workforce for theatre in Northumberland and the North East. When we’re in production our small core team can double, triple and even quadruple in size with freelance professionals. From performers to production managers, directors to designers and stage managers to sound designers, all bring skills, experience and perspectives that are integral to how we make our work and connect with communities across Northumberland. We know that a freelance career can be a rollercoaster of highs and lows, exacerbated by COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis. The 2022 Big Freelancer Survey found that more than half of theatre makers feel insecure about their jobs as a result of these factors, and 16% of respondents were considering leaving the industry. RESEARCH In early 2023 we undertook our own research through an online survey and paid focus groups to help us better understand the barriers to starting, developing and sustaining a freelance career in the North East, and what types of opportunities freelancers felt would help support them. The data is stark: 75% of survey respondents felt that there are insufficient development opportunities in the region relevant for their stage of career. The most significant barrier to career development is the financial instability of freelance working, which is compounded for those with protected characteristics who experience lack of support. Alongside more paid freelance work, respondents told us that professional development bursaries and access to opportunities such as mentoring, coaching and facilitated introductions, would help support their career development. Read more in our key findings document: GROW Freelance Survey Key Findings 2023 GROW Freelance Survey Key Findings 2023 – Plain Large Text Going forward we are renewing our commitment to and strengthening the support we offer our freelance colleagues. We’ll be doing this through GROW, a development programme offering a range of opportunities for individuals at all stages of their career, working across performance, creative and production roles. By weaving GROW opportunities throughout our artistic programme we hope to inspire people to work in theatre and help to ignite and sustain careers, contributing to a flourishing and representative workforce for theatre in the North East. Read more about our commitment: GROW Development Programme Explained GROW Development Programme Explained Plain_Large Text CURRENT GROW OPPORTUNITIES You can find out more here. Freelance Assistant Producer – Josey GROW Deadline to apply 9am Thursday 6 July 2023 Download role description Download role description_Large Print Freelance Associate Producer – New Projects GROW Deadline to apply 9am Thursday 6 July 2023 Download role description Download role description_Large Print Online Q&A Session Thursday 29 June 1 – 2pm An opportunity to speak with our Artistic Director, Joe Hufton and Participation & GROW Producer, Louise Taylor-Asheg about our current freelance call-outs. BSL Interpretation will be available. No need to register, just join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86819987378 Hot-desk at November Club this Summer 4 July – 9 August 2023 Do you ever feel like a change of scenery during working hours, without café-surfing or risking dodgy wifi? Would you like to spend some time working alongside other cultural freelancers? This summer we have free hot desking space available for cultural freelancers, and you’re very welcome to join us! Find out more here. JOIN THE GROW MAILING LIST If you’d like us to keep you updated about the programme, you can sign up to our GROW mailing list to get direct emails about opportunities. We’re really excited about having these conversations and shaping GROW in a way that supports the wonderful freelance workforce here in the North East! Manage Cookie Preferences