Applications are now OPEN for students and staff to propose an event for PLAY! Festival 2025.

Proposals will be considered by a panel of department leads: Dr Rebecca McCutcheon (Drama Lead), Dr Chris Hogg (Media Lead), Prof. Mary Dullea (Music Lead) and Dr Nathan James Dearden (Festival Lead Curator). 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 in the week beginning 12 May 2025.

Important 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, 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, film, talks, lecture-recital, debate and media.
• 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 your 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 Monday, 5 May 2025. 
• Any enquiries regarding the festival or application process should be addressed to: nathanjames.dearden@royalholloway.ac.uk. 

Need inspiration?

Not sure what to propose or in need of a collaborator? Then join us for our PLAY! 2025 Co-Lab Mixer on Wednesday, 2 April 2025 between 6.30pm - 8.00pm in the Katharine Worth Building to meet other potential collaborators, and to dream up a new project to be featured at PLAY! 2025. You will also have the opportunity to meet departmental specialists to troubleshoot any initial ideas you want to bring to life. 

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.