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PLAY! Festival 2026: Event Proposal

PLAY! Festival 2026: Event Proposal

Applications are now OPEN for students and staff to propose an event for PLAY! Festival 2026.

Proposals will be considered by a panel of specialism leads: Dr David Bullen (Drama and movement Lead), Dr Maeve O'Connell (Media and digital technologies Lead), Prof. Mary Dullea (Music Lead), Prof Joe Harris (Spoken word, creative writing, and languages), and Dr Nathan James Dearden (Festival Director).

Successful proposals will each receive one assigned rehearsal/set-up slot (in event venue) and final event/performance slot. Any additional rehearsals are to be organised independently by the event proposer.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by Friday, 15 May 2026.

Helpful information

Please read carefully before submitting your application:

  • Events should be between 15 - 55 minutes in duration.
  • Use your creativity and imagination: you may want to rethink the event set-up, how the audience might engage with your event, or collaborate with a friend to devise an interestingly themed session? This is your opportunity to showcase you, your group's hard work and talent, or a chance to test-drive your ongoing research.
  • Festival events will take place in either the Boilerhouse Auditorium, Windsor Building Auditorium, Moore Building Auditorium, Herringham Room, Chapel, Picture Gallery, or at one of our local partner venues – successful applicants will be allocated a suitable venue dependent on their needs and event details.
  • We welcome submissions from all art forms, including - but not limited to - concert performances, open air or promenade performances, contemporary, classical and world music and theatre, opera, dance performances or workshops, installations, tours, spoken word, film, talks, lecture-recital, debate and media.
  • We encourage applications from those who wish to collaborate across disciplines and research interests.  
  • All events will be free admission to all and will be advertised to the general public.
  • Successful applicants will be allocated a date/time for their event to take place, a suitable venue, a front-of-house manager, and we will endeavour to provide you with any operational needs you outline in your application. We will not be able to provide you with a collaborator or accompanist, as we are looking for you to cater for this in your event proposal. 
  • Applications for PLAY! event proposals close at 12.00pm on Thursday, 7 May 2026. 
  • Any enquiries regarding the festival or application process should be addressed to the Festival Director: nathanjames.dearden@rhul.ac.uk.

Apply now

Complete this short form by 12.00pm on Thursday, 7 May 2026: https://forms.office.com/e/8Cp5JK3Kv4

Please note that the selection panel aims to host all submitted proposals, however with limited space and time we may ask proposers to amend their application and/or event details.