At its core CGO Institute offers a range of educational/networking services which aim to support the career journey of theatre/creative producers. We tend to work online and this has been a phenomenal strength which has come out of the lockdown. To complement the original DipCP, I want to explore two areas of work, one new and one re-envigorated.
What’s New – Foundation for Creative Producing practice in the UK (FCPUK)
As we complete 4 successful 16 week intensive DipCPs and begin recruiting for DipCP5 starting Nov 2023, there has been a request for a ‘lite’ version which could be delivered in a series of classes that work time-wise for international producers from the North and South Americas
The new FCPUK offers 6x 2hr zoom workshops for a maximum of 12 aspiring or early career producers who are interested in understanding the UK scene better. We will cover: UK Arts Ecology, Marketing, Fundraising, Budgeting , Fringe Festival production and UK business structures Each participant will receive access to a resources folder, reading list, and an array of contacts and follow-up research ideas. I will lead this new programme with a selection of guest tutors who are experienced practitioners in the UK scene.
The first programme of Zoom classes will run Sun 17th, 24th Sept then Sun 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd October. 6-8pm BST / 1-3pm EDT / 10-12noon PDT. The time is designed to be accessible to the American continent/West. If there is demand from Asia/East we will schedule a new programme. The classes will be offered in English. A caption and transcription/audio service is offered alongside using Otter.Ai. We will seek to accommodate all learning styles and welcome support workers such as sign assisters.
How can I help ? – as a loyal blog reader, thank you for asking that question, you can spread the word. Here is a link to my website and I would especially like feedback and interest from those who might like to be part of the first cohort for the Foundation. Thanks so much.
What’s being Re-invigorated – Producers’ Pool
Just over a year ago I thought I was moving away from Producers’ Pool after 7 years of running it. This month I’m back to re-launch these monthly meetings (mainly on zoom) for those who want to explore how they can find colleagues who can offer wisdom, help, and contacts. Together with Lewis Forman we will explore how each producer at the gathering can offer their skills, opinions, and maybe even partnership to make a project happen. Producers are a strange and wonderful breed – they are passionate, they are business-like, and they can collaborate to ensure a project can flourish. The most joyful ones are generous with their knowledge and relish seeing their fellow independent producers succeed. Yes there is a bit of rivalry and sometimes a feeding-frenzy over a hot title, but in the main it is a small supportive group of creative beings.
Producers’ Pool is for those people who ‘make stuff happen’. If you are a producer of other people’s work then this is the place to meet other like minded travellers. Over 600 people from 15+ countries were on the database of attendees by the time we took a break in April 2022. Now let’s see who would like to join us for the inaugural reboot on Sunday 28th May zoom 4-6pm. Here’s a place to book a place.
And finally, what continues as a core programme – the Diploma for Creative Producers
Interviews are underway to find the cohort of 6-10 producers who will form the DipCP5 class and follow in the footsteps of the 32 UK and International producers who have been part of the first 4 courses. I can’t wait to receive applications for this and for the new Foundation.
And to share awareness of the pathways into producing for aspiring new entrepreneurs and employers we continue with the free 2hr Producing – Proper Job – Honest zoom workshops. The next one is sold out on 27th May, but there’s plenty of space on 11th June. Book here . I am always delighted to schedule dates with networks of future creatives. I’m with Exeter University on zoom Wed 17th and Acting Coach Scotland on Wed 31st this month.
Thanks for all your help exploring what I am up to, challenging me to make things happen, and spreading the word. The world needs more producers – let’s change the world one show at a time.