One year ago, we launched a brand-new two-year Young Associate Artist programme.

The goal was to create a trusted, collaborative space for seven young creatives to develop their practice, learn from industry leaders, and find their footing as professional artists.

Now, at the exact midpoint of this two-year journey, our Associates have been reflecting on a whirlwind twelve months of masterclasses, international travel, and hands-on creation.

From the Rehearsal Room to Germany: A Year of Big Experiences

Over the past year, the cohort has been fully embedded in the professional arts world. Highlights included a trip to the Ruhrtriennale Festival in Germany to experience international theatre, masterclasses back home at Nyth with renowned companies like Gecko and Punchdrunk, and participating in Frân Wen’s own Research and Development (R&D) sessions for upcoming productions.

"We weren’t just observing from the sidelines, we were actively part of the process," says Creative Practitioner and Writer, Buddug Roberts.

Actor Noel Davies found this backstage access equally eye-opening: "As an actor, I’ve never really had access to early development stages before so it has challenged me and opened up my perspective on creative work."

Making together

For many of the cohort, the biggest takeaway from the first year hasn’t just been what they learned, but who they learned it with. Bringing together seven artists from entirely different disciplines - from acting and spoken word to curation - has sparked a unique creative chemistry.

For Buddug, it completely shifted how she views her craft: "It was a huge relief for me, as someone who writes and wants to be a writer, to realise this doesn’t have to be a solitary experience - it can be collaborative."

Actor and Movement Director Tom Kemp agrees, noting how the shared environment accelerated everyone's growth: "It gave me permission to meet other artists and collaborate. That was great, because every artist involved shares similar ambitions and interests."

Asking the questions

A key part of the programme is pushing the artists to challenge themselves and the industry around them. It is an opportunity to not only build skills, but to interrogate the purpose of their art.

Performer, Creative Practitioner & Multidisciplinary Artist Isa Jem,explains how the programme has shifted their perspective:

"It’s been an opportunity to develop ourselves as artists, but also to question ourselves."

What next

As the Young Associate Artists enter their second year, the focus is shifting toward putting their skills into action. The group has already begun co-creating a concept for a brand-new show together, piecing together the "jigsaw" of everything they’ve learned so far.

Ultimately, the first year of the programme has given these seven creatives the most important tool of all: confidence.

As Tom Kemp puts it: "On a personal level, it’s boosted my confidence as an artist and made me realise that I can do this."

We can't wait to see what they do next!