Barbican Theatre have selected a number of local artists to be Thrive Associates for 2019/20. The artists selected will benefit from a period of structured support from the company until October 2020, helping them take significant steps in their development.

The three Thrive Associates for 2019/20 work across theatre and live performance, and are drawn from Plymouth and the wider area.

Sian Keen, Alice Higginson-Clarke, Laura Doble from Scratchworks Theatre Company (Credit: Scratchworks Theatre Company)

Scratchworks Theatre Company is an  all-female theatre ensemble creating original stories using a mix of skills. Siân Keen, Co-Artistic Director said:

“We are thrilled to be a part of Barbican Theatre’s Thrive Associate programme. Since our first performance with them in 2015 to them supporting our most ambitious production to date (The Snow Beast, 2018), we have developed a great relationship over the years, so to become an associate feels really exciting. We look forward to what else this new partnership brings”

 Cal Moffat & Plum Grosvenor-Stevenson from Drake’s Drummers

Drake’s Drummers Theatre Company is a theatre company creating fast paced comedy accessible to all. Producer Plum Grosvenor-Stevenson said:

“We’re delighted to be named as one of the Thrive Associates for 2019/20. We hope being part of the scheme will allow us to reach the next stage of careers with the company and help push us to create our best work yet, with support from the amazing team at the Barbican Theatre.”

Lana Van Anna

Lana Van Anna is a drag queen who use sketch comedy and political satire in her work. Lana said:

“Being supported as a Thrive Associate is such an exciting opportunity. I have always been told that for my artistry to be recognised and celebrated I will have to move out of the city – I want to prove people wrong! I’m digging my heels in and building a career here, and Barbican Theatre’s will help celebrate Plymouth’s fantastic drag scene.”

Speaking about the selection of this year’s Thrive Associates, Barbican Theatre’s Creative Producer Dan Baker said:

“In recent years, the number of artists in and around Plymouth and the quality of their work has increased dramatically – this is reflected in the fantastic artists we’ve selected to be our first Thrive Associates. Each of the artists selected are at a point in their careers where they are ready to make the next step, and we are committed to helping them turn that step into a leap – we can’t wait to see what the next year brings, and are excited to be able to champion local artists and to offer genuine support.”

Each Thrive Associate will benefit from significant support from Barbican Theatre, including mentoring, funding, rehearsal space and performances. The Thrive Associate programme heads up the Thrive artist development programme at Barbican Theatre, launched in autumn 2019 and made possible through support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

More information regarding Barbican Theatre’s work, including the Thrive programme, can be found here