This Autumn, we throw open our doors for a bold celebration of artists. From world premieres to scratch nights, rehearsed readings, masterclasses and industry panels, Open Works Festival is where stories are born and the future of theatre is shaped.

As part of Open Works 2026, there will be a series of Performance Ready slots. This is an opportunity for professional theatremakers and theatre companies local to Sheffield Theatres to have fully-realised projects programmed as part of the festival.

Open Working

To support the development of new work in our region we will be running Open Working, a series of workshops focused on making and producing skills. There will be opportunities for up to 25 people to join Open Working, with participants randomly selected from all eligible submitted applications to all of our Open Works opportunities.

By submitting to Performance Ready, you will automatically be entered into consideration for Open Working.

What are the Performance Ready slots?

The Performance Ready slots are opportunities in the festival for artists and companies to share fully-realised projects with audiences.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for exciting and innovative productions from professional theatremakers and theatre companies that are suitable for programming as part of Open Works 2026.

We are looking for work that is under 90 minutes in length.

What will successful submissions receive?

We expect Performance Ready production to have specific needs, and we expect each arrangement to be flexible according to those needs.

As a starting point, the default offer is:

• A fee of £650 versus a 70/30 Box Office Split in the artists’ favour per show.
• A Sheffield Theatres technician to support get-in, technical operation, and get-out.
• Invitations and discounts to workshops and events as part of Open Works 2026.

How to apply

Please follow the link below to the Expression of Interest form.

The Expression of Interest Form will require:

• Your name, pronouns, and contact information.

• Information about you and your creative practice.

• Information summarising the content and narrative of your project.

• Information summarising why your project is suitable for programming as part of Open Works 2026.

We will also require:

• A tour pack, or equivalent information, for your project that includes technical specifications.

• A link to production shots, a video recording, or equivalent information for your project.

Submissions for Performance Ready close at midnight on Sun 22 March 2026.