What a delight to take part in the recent Juice platform at the University of Exeter!
As a long-term regional partner of the Applied Drama programme in the CDF department, we have worked for years in partnership to support training and development in the SW ecology. This long-term collaborative partnership has been vital in supporting early-career theatre makers, Teaching Artists and theatre companies to root and flourish in the SW. It’s exciting to plan ahead and dream forward in terms of what else COULD be possible in terms of links with our higher education partners. Big thanks to the University of Exeter for making this space possible!
The Juice events on 1 and 2 June 2026 felt like a celebration of the live connectivity between higher education and the professional arts & culture world – a vital gathering space and opportunity to mentor and support the next generation. It was inspiring, connective, and galvanising.
This event brought together 30+ creative industries partners, staff from the university, students and freelancers from across the SW over two days of events at Thornlea and Roborough Studios.
One of the Juice events was a co-hosted Practitioner Call-Out Workshop, which took place on Monday 1 June. This was followed by a performance platform of curated student performance work, with short excerpt pieces selected by Professor Emily Kreider, and mentored by staff members Evelyn O’Malley, Nikki Sved and Wendy Hubbard. The performances had tech support from the magnificent CDF Technical Team, which includes Jon Primrose and Francis Parker (pictured below).
It was a delight to watch the student performance work, which included solo and duo performances as well as an MA Theatre Practice performance I Can Walk In Water by Genny Holloway, and a performance of Eclosion by 7-hander ensemble The Little Troupe. This piece was from the Practical Essay module, which is a final capstone course at the end of the third year of study on the Drama degree at Exeter.
The second day of Juice activity included a range of information and advice sessions, covering topics as broad as ‘Fundraising & Grant-writing’ through to ‘Being a Freelancer’ through to ‘Touring and Programming’ and ‘Tech and Production’. Juicy!
These sessions were supported by industry guests from over 20 regional creative industries organisations – what a gift to have so much expertise gathered in one room!
It’s rare to be able to gather with so many of our SW industry partners in one space, and it felt like the common centre of the event was the mutual belief in the importance of nurturing and supporting the next generation to enter into the creative industries. There was so much sound advice, wisdom, care, warmth, and humour in the space. We know it’s not easy – but we left the event feeling inspired by both our SW industry partners and the students who show so much exciting potential.
It was a delight to also see recent alumni there as well as current students, including graduate company Red Clay (featuring Doorstep Arts alumni too!). What amazing progression stories these are!
Specialist Applied partner organisations The Pelican Project and The Turning Tides Project brought their expertise in how to set up a creative organisation, alongside experienced voices from Beyond Face, Exeter Northcott, Rough & Ready Theatre, Jam on Top Theatre, Libraries Unlimited and Prom Prom. It was great to also see partners from Villages in Action, Scratchworks, Alibi, Barbican Theatre Plymouth, and Almeida Theatre.
Special thanks are due to partners Theatre Royal Plymouth and Exeter Northcott, whose specialist expertise about early career artist development was invaluable advice to students on the day. Where organisations have particular staff members supporting talent development and artist development, we can see some real impact and ripples taking place in the local ecology around supporting early-career folks. This is inspiring and exciting to witness.
And a final big thank you to Georgie and Alana – the student volunteers who made everything flow and who hosted with such warmth and professionalism. All-stars!
We look forward to taking part in this event again in future years as an industry partner. Big thanks to the CDF department at the University of Exeter for hosting the gathering. Here’s to next time!
Juice Platform Video – view here!