New Perspectives Reveals 14 New Associates for 2026/27 Training Programme

New Perspectives have announced the 2026/2027 cohort for their New Associates year-long programme, now in its seventh year, which offers bespoke support, training and mentorship from the award-winning Nottingham-based company. Over the course of a year, the cohort of 14 associates will work closely with the New Perspectives team, industry guests and each other to develop their work and career, learn from and share skills and gain valuable insights into leadership and governance.

The 2026/27 cohort of New Associates, selected from 49 applicants, are Fred Baker, Daron Carey, Keilah Chambers-Turner, Susan Earl, Laura Goulden, Fran Hess, Linh Huynh, Laurence James-Davis, Rehannah Mian, Olivia Newton, Georgina Saunders-Fazzani, James Sweeney, Finley-Rose Townsend, and Esther Warren. For more information on the cohort, please visit: www.newperspectives.co.uk/Pages/Category/our-current-new-associates

The programme addresses the lack of opportunities for early- and mid-career artists in an historically underfunded region: a 2024 study found that local government arts funds amounted to £3.79 per person, far lower than the English regional average of £7.14, and only 14 organisations were receiving ACE funding, amounting to £5.21 per person, 15% lower than the average. As well as developing their practice, New Perspectives last year supported New Associates and alumni to independently secure over £800,000 in funding from Arts Council England, providing employment opportunities and directly sustaining artistic practice in the region.

Building a vibrant community of artists is at the heart of New Associates; tackling isolation and providing connection through its peer network, the programme continues to strengthen the creative infrastructure of the East Midlands with each cohort it supports. 

The New Associates each receive bespoke support, with elements of the programme shaped around the needs of each cohort, along with key support needed for artists to take a crucial next step in their career. Opportunities made available over the year include:

• links to industry 
• masterclasses, 1-2-1 support and mentoring
• funding guidance
• touring advice and guidance 
• creative networks and opportunities for collaboration 
• access to staff and board expertise 
• opportunities to observe company rehearsals and readings 

Confirmed industry guests for this year so far include: Daniel Bailey, theatre, TV and film director and formerly Artistic director of The Bush Theatre; Olivier award winning actor Julie Hesmonghalgh; new writing publishing powerhouse Nick Hern Books; award winning writer for stage, screen and radio Ian Kershaw; and Johanna Taylor, Senior Producer at The Yard. 

New Associates has supported and developed over 80 artists since its inaugural cohort in 2019, with alumni success from the last six months including:

• Elan Butler: Currently in Punch at Nottingham Playhouse
• Jessy Roberts: Currently Resident Assistant Director at Donmar Warehouse  and was Associate director of (the) Womandirected by Angharad Jones for New Perspectives  
• Charlotte Vickers: Assistant director Guess How Much I Love You at the Royal Court
• Natalie Simone: Finalist of JMK award
• Omar Khan: Associate director of Punch
• John Booker: Writer of LAD, produced by Fifth Word directed by Daniel Bailey
• Samson Hawkins: Writer of Top G's Like Me at Royal and Derngate Northampton directed by Jesse Jones 

Artistic Director, Angharad Jones said, “We are enormously proud of our talent development programme that has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. I truly believe that the artists who come through this programme represent the artists and cultural leaders of the future. As a region that is historically underfunded this scheme aims to ensure that artists from the East Midlands have a place and a voice within the arts ecology nationally, as well as the skills and confidence to own that place. We are also committed to helping provide and find routes to employment which is how careers are really sustained. In the last year we have provided employment for alumni in roles including as actors, assistant/associate directors, AV designers, stage managers across New Perspectives professional productions as well as inviting up to two alumni to join our board of trustees.”

Participation Director and programme lead Jayne Williams said, “New Associates is a great way for us to connect with talented artists who bring as much to New Perspectives as we offer them. Having worked as a Freelancer in Theatre for almost three decades, I know how tricky it can be to arrive, stay put and thrive in this industry, especially if you're from a working-class background. So, with this programme, we cut through the jargon, demystify the process and do our best to level that Playing Field.”

Actor and 2024/25 New Associate Grace Carter said, “New Perspectives has given me the confidence, learning and experience to keep going, keep putting myself forward for more employment opportunities in the industry, and to actually start getting paid for my creativity.”

New Perspectives theatre company continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK's most dynamic touring theatre companies, combining regional reach with national impact. Based in the East Midlands and touring extensively across the country, over the past 53 years the company has built a reputation for producing bold, contemporary work that resonates with audiences far beyond metropolitan centres while maintaining a strong presence on major stages. Its touring model ensures high-quality theatre reaches rural and underserved audiences alongside urban venues. Recent productions have included (the) Woman by Jane Upton (national tour, Park Theatre 2025) which secured three Off West End Award nominations, a major rural tour of Make Good – the Post Office Scandal Musical in a co-production with Pentabus, The Swearing Jar (rural/ Studio UK tour 2023), Model Village (rural tour 2023), and The Great Almighty Gill (Edinburgh Festival & UK Tour 2022).