We are thrilled to announce the three artists we will be working with 2024-25 as part of our FRESH Programme – alongside some exciting CPD Opportunities for Artists this Summer.
FRESH is a unique initiative aimed at supporting three innovative artists or companies who are redefining the performance landscape. The programme welcomes risk-taking and experimental approaches that foster inclusive and vibrant creative experiences.
The Point is dedicated to helping visionary artists bring their ground breaking ideas to life with comprehensive support from our dedicated team.
Announcing our 2024-25 FRESH Artists
GymJam Theatre
“We live by creating and telling stories that are visually stunning, creating stories that are movement led and contextualised with social soundscapes, telling stories that challenge the expected, and are urgent in nature.” GymJam has three core members; Gavin Maxwell, Will Townsend and Rachel Mary. Alongside associate company members; Bar Groisman, Emilie Largier, Risha Silvera and Micheal Lynch.
Lizzie Jones
“Puppet Back Up are giant puppets and painted visuals that highlight social issues, often performing in public spaces with the help of our network. I initially design the puppets, paintings, and scripts, while my partner Les collaborates on development, participation, and connections. The puppets act as activists, and we support their message. Our team gathers for meals and rehearsals before performances, inviting community involvement for spontaneous, raw events. Focused on climate action this year, we introduced a new puppet, Migratory Bird, and launched the 'Pets Against Pollution' performative campaign. For the past two years, we've hosted monthly creative sessions on various themes for peers and our network.”
Jack Parris
“Based in Brighton, I am a writer, performer, and director creating comedic, physical, and musical works. I direct large ensembles, lead workshops, write plays, perform physical theatre, and have composed songs. Currently, I am exploring interdisciplinary collaboration, where physical performers and musicians improvise to create spontaneous dramaturgy, events, and stories. I like to design games and play structures to facilitate cross-disciplinary improvisation, fostering the creation of innovative work through the meeting of imaginations. Whenever I get the collective together - and whoever joins the group - we go by the name ‘Bunkum’.”
Summer CPD Opportunities
Vamos Emerging Artist - Mask Taster Session
Tuesday 18th June
2 - 5pm | FREE
Come and learn Vamos Theatre’s approach to mask work, creating physical character and devising non-verbal theatre that connects and moves audiences. the UK’s leading full mask theatre company, wants to train and inspire the next generation of 18-24-year-old mask performers from diverse communities across the UK, so are inviting you to take part in a mask taster session.
From the taster days, the company will bring together a group of emerging and early career artists for a FREE residency in summer 2024, held at 101 Outdoor Arts (near Newbury) 10 – 13 July 2024. The residency offers participants four days of intensive training, exploring how mask can work in outdoor performance, as well as on stage.
Professional Classes
Monday 17th June & 15th July
7.15 - 8.30pm
Our regular professional level dance class for dancers in training, dance graduates and professional artists. Led by local professional dance artists.
We're thrilled to announce that this monthly class will now be held by ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, in partnership with The Point and delivered in collaboration with local dance artists.
Co-Creation with Ned Glassier – Workshop
Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th July
10am - 5pm
An exploration of the key principles and practices of co-creation that span different art forms and uses. The course includes how to create crucial relational foundations within a mixed cohort of professionals and participants, and key steps in collaboratively creating a play, artwork, campaign, product or idea together.
Ned’s courses are practical, engaging and discursive, with lots of accessible exercises and a strong emphasis on collaboration, kindness and care. Participants will spend a lot of time playing, talking, making their own work and thinking deeply about practice.
