Calling Outdoor Artists: Fancy Touring with Applause in 2026?
From our friends at Applause. Applications are now open to be part of their brilliant Outdoor Touring Menu 2026 - Deadline to apply: 29 August 2025
If you've got a show that works outside, or you’ve been dreaming up something that would come alive in a park, playground or town square, this one’s for you.
Applause is looking to support up to six new small-scale shows to tour across Kent, Sussex and Essex next summer. They’re after artists and companies with experience of outdoor work who can bring bold, fun and engaging performances to all kinds of community events.
They’ve been doing this for over 15 years now and have built a fantastic network of village fetes, town festivals and everything in between. It’s a great way to get your work in front of new audiences in interesting, real-life places.
What they’re offering
There are two ways to get involved:
New commissions — up to £5,000 to create something brand new
Development support — between £500 and £2,500 to reshape an existing outdoor show
In both cases, you’ll also get a guaranteed number of tour dates, mentoring during the process, and options for rehearsal space.
What they’re looking for
Shows should be ready for the outdoors. That means flexible, easy to set up, and something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
They’re especially interested in work that:
connects with the environment or sustainability
involves communities or has a participatory element
reflects rural life or responds to cultural moments in 2026
Your show could be a short static performance (up to 25 minutes), a walkabout, an installation or something more interactive or durational. You’ll need to be able to perform it up to three times a day in all sorts of outdoor settings, and provide your own tech and set-up.
Key info
Deadline to apply: 29 August 2025
Shortlisted artists notified: by 9 September
Interviews: between 22–26 September
Shows need to be ready to tour by end of April 2026
Touring takes place between May and October 2026
Applause aims to offer at least six bookings per show
Fees per show range from £450 to £900, depending on the size of your team and the location. Dates outside the core region might attract a higher fee.
Click here for more information and to contact Applause
A few practical things
You’ll be performing in a real mix of places — bumpy fields, high streets, seafronts, playgrounds. So shows need to be easy to transport and not too reliant on venue support. Some hosts will be volunteers with little or no theatre experience, so good communication and flexibility are key.
Applause is also keen to work with artists from underrepresented backgrounds, including those from minority ethnic or migrant communities and d/Deaf and disabled artists.
They’re also asking companies to think about touring sustainably — that includes travel, materials, waste and how you can reuse or recycle parts of your show.
How to apply
Applications are open now via Eventotron.
If you’re already signed up, just search for Applause Outdoor Season 2026.
If not, head to www.eventotron.com and register first.
This is a lovely opportunity to get your work seen, meet new audiences and be part of a much-loved outdoor programme that celebrates creative, accessible, community-minded shows.
Got an idea? Go for it.
From our friends at Applause
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