At Birmingham Hippodrome, we work to support local artists and companies.
We believe in Birmingham and the West Midlands, and want to do everything we can to make sure that the creative talent of our region is able to develop, thrive, and make careers from a base here.
Our New Work & Artist Development team has been created to make the Hippodrome a vibrant and supportive home for West Midlands creatives with regular activity on weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, seasonal and annual cycles.
All of our opportunities are for Creatives who are 18+. You can check out the Take Part page for opportunities for Young People.
Hear more about the team and their work by checking out the video below!
Live Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Hippodrome Creatives
For artists, producers and creatives living or working in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Origins Festival
Celebrating new work at Birmingham’s newest theatre festival in May 2026!
In Good Company’s FROM SCRATCH!
Join In Good Company and Birmingham Hippodrome for a night of new fresh work from artists in the Midlands. Part of our Origins Festival on Tuesday 12 May.
Creatives Networking Breakfast
As part of Origins Festival, join us for a Creatives Networking Breakfast on Friday 15 May to create connections and chat to fellow creatives. This will be a relaxed space to come together and meet the New Work & Artist Development team, as well as industry guests from the Midlands.
Upcoming Workshops
Making work for Outdoor Arts Festivals with Matt Evans
In this workshop Matt Evans will talk you through how you can develop ideas for outdoor/public space, commissioning, key production realities – thinking about weather, environment, technical limitations and working for mixed and first-time audiences. You do not need to have previously made work for outdoor spaces to attend this workshop. On Wednesday 29 April.
In Good Company One to One Artist Support
As part of our Origins Festival, join In Good Company for a 1-2-1 Artist Support Meeting at Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday 12 May.
Embodying Text and Exploring Character with Cherrelle Skeete
On Wednesday 13 May join actor, writer, and cultural producer Cherrelle Skeete for an insightful practical workshop into embodying text and exploring character. This workshop is open to all but particularly suited for actors and performers. Part of our Origins Festival.
Writing what and who you know with Daniel Bailey
As part of our Origins Festival, join us for a practical writing workshop for new and established theatre-makers to create characters and scenes from lived experiences on Thursday 14 May.
Approaches to directing new writing with Katie Posner
On Friday 15 May join Paines Plough’s Co-Artistic Director Katie Posner as she leads a free session on her approach to directing new writing, providing a valuable insight in how a play makes its way from the page to the stage. Part of our Origins Festival.
Artist Manifesto with Lou Robbin
What does it mean to be an artist at this time? To devote our efforts to the process of creation through noise, fear and scarcity. Yet, our art is a necessary act of revolution. In this Artist Manifesto workshop, we’ll connect with our bodies, clarify our values and declare the intention and direction of our practice. Your art is worthy of a north star. Part of our Origins Festival on Saturday 16 May.
Ongoing Projects
Connect: South Asian Artists
A two day residency for South Asian artists to meet, network, and develop their practice together.
Gathering
Birmingham Hippodrome, MAIA and Talawa are working together with a growing cohort of local Black artists to develop craft and support an artistic community.
Hippodrome Origins
Hippodrome Origins is an 18-month artist development programme for creatives in the West Midlands who make theatre.
We welcomed our first cohort in November 2024, and they will be sharing new work in Spring 2026.
New Earth Theatre Maker Academy Plus
A six-month part time course for Midlands based East Asian and South East Asian performers and theatre makers in partnership with New Earth Theatre.
Writer’s Block
A scratch night for artists to test early ideas to a supportive audience.
Playspace
Playspace allows a different artist or team access to space at Birmingham Hippodrome to explore an idea.
Workshops
We offer a programme of workshops for Creatives, focusing on developing craft and expanding skills.