Theatre Investment Fund Limited (stage One)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,171,508 (charitable activities expenditure 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified (applications twice yearly)
• Grant Range: Up to £20,000 (per bursary award)
• Geographic Focus: UK national (UK-based producers only)

Contact Details

Website: www.stageone.uk.com

Email: enquiries@stageone.uk.com / [email protected]

Phone: 020 7557 6700 / 020 7557 6737

Address: 32 Rose Street, London, WC2E 9ET

Pre-application Support: Contact the bursary team at [email protected] for questions about applications

Overview

Theatre Investment Fund Limited (operating as Stage One) is a UK registered charity (271349) founded in 1976. With an annual income of over £1.2 million in 2024, Stage One has supported theatre producers for nearly 50 years through educational programmes and investment schemes. The organization's mission is to further education by promoting and extending public knowledge and appreciation of the performing arts, particularly dramatic and theatrical works. Stage One focuses specifically on developing independent commercial theatre producers in the early stages of their careers. In an average year, the charity generates £220,000 in bursaries for independent producers, provides 11 paid placements across the UK, and offers 40 workshop places. Over the last five years, Stage One has supported 80 new producers through its bursary scheme, awarding £430,000 in new bursaries and £320,000 in top-up grants.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Stage One Bursary - Up to £20,000

• Awarded to independent commercial theatre producers on a clear trajectory of development within the industry
• Unlike other grants, primary aim is to develop the producer's career, not just support production costs
• Includes mentorship pairing with experienced professionals
• Applications open twice yearly (spring and autumn) via online Members Area (free to join)
• Successful recipients receive monthly consultation and access to free additional training

Top-Up Grants - Additional funding up to £20,000

• Previous bursary recipients can apply for additional funding
• Total lifetime award capped at £20,000
• Can apply multiple times until cap is reached

Perfect Pitch Partnership - Additional up to £20,000

• Producers working on new British musicals may be considered for additional support
• Provided through Stage One's partnership with Perfect Pitch

Small Scale Commercial Investment (launched June 2019)

• Commercial investment (not grant) for small-mid scale producers
• Note: Stage One recommends new producers explore the Bursary programme first

Priority Areas

• Independent commercial theatre producers in early career stages
• Producers looking to upscale work from fringe to mid-scale venues
• Producers juggling full-time work with independent projects
• Producers with elements of productions under their belt needing guidance
• Long-term aspiration to become full-time independent commercial theatre producers
• Under-represented backgrounds in theatre production (strongly encouraged)
• New British musicals (eligible for additional Perfect Pitch support)
• West End and major touring productions

What They Don't Fund

• Producers not UK-based or not producing work in the UK
• Applicants without right to work in the UK
• Applicants under 18 years of age
• Projects without commercial viability potential
• Producers not demonstrating clear trajectory of development in industry

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Deborah Lincoln (appointed November 2022)

Chief Executive: Joseph Smith (nearly 10 years in post)

• Co-owner, Smith & Brant Theatricals
• Producer for Rocket Stage
• Quote: “For many people producing is something you stumble into... Producing can be a stressful and sometimes lonely business so knowing that there is an organisation that trains, supports and nurtures people through the initial stages of their careers inspires me.”
• Quote: "First and foremost it's about community. Secondly it's about good practice."
• Quote: “The real work of Stage One will reach fruition in 10 or 20 years when participants will be running our industry.”

Director of Development: Elizabeth Duducu (12+ years fundraising experience, previously Almeida Theatre and Soho Theatre)

Marketing & Programme Manager: Olivia Polglase (American theatre marketer and producer)

Council Members include:

• Aidan Grounds (Rodeo Productions)
• Becky Barber (Jonathan Church Productions)
• Eleanor Lloyd (Eleanor Lloyd Productions)

The charity has 12 trustees and 4 employees. No trustee receives remuneration. The organization is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and recognized by HMRC for gift aid.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Join Stage One's Members Area (free) at www.stageone.uk.com
2. Complete application form via Members Area
3. Upload PDF version of CV
4. Applications open twice yearly (spring and autumn)
5. Review bursary guidelines (available in PDF, Word, and audio formats) before applying

Recommended: Read “About the Bursary Award” section thoroughly before applying

Decision Timeline

Applications reviewed twice yearly with specific closing dates. Exact decision timelines not publicly specified, but applicants should monitor their Members Area, Stage One's website, social media, and newsletter for updates and notifications.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In the last 5 years, 80 producers have been supported through the bursary scheme. Applications are competitive.

Reapplication Policy

For Successful Recipients: Can apply for top-up grants multiple times until reaching the £20,000 lifetime cap.

For Unsuccessful Applicants: Specific reapplication policy not publicly stated. Contact [email protected] for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from Stage One

• Demonstrate trajectory: Show you are on a “clear trajectory of development within the industry”
• Commercial viability: Demonstrate the commercial viability of your project
• Budget detail: “The bursary panel would like to see a detailed budget that outlines how you will utilise your award and that does not necessarily have to reach the max amount”
• Focus on development: Unlike other grants, Stage One wants to see how the award will develop YOU as a producer, not just fund a project
• Be honest about aspirations: Tell them “who you are and what your producing career looks like now” and “what your commercial producing aspirations are”

Ideal Candidate Profile

Stage One encourages applications from producers who are:

• Juggling full-time work with independent projects on the side
• Have elements of a production under their belt but need guidance bringing it to fruition
• Looking to upscale work from fringe to mid-scale venues
• Have long-term aspirations to become full-time independent commercial theatre producers

Recent Recipients Examples

Spring 2025: Alex Deacon, Sam Butters, Nassy Konan, Mwansa Phiri, Danielle Manson, Ben Kernow, Andy Bewley, Andrew Keatley, Alice Barber

Notable Recipients:

• Liam Gartland: Founded Liam Gartland Productions in 2021, produced revival of LIFT at Southwark Playhouse
• Benjamin Alborough: Revived THRILL ME: THE LEOPOLD AND LOEB STORY at Hope Theatre, received multiple 5-star reviews
• Joyce Fraser: Produced plays for Black Heroes Foundation including The Story of John Archer and The Story of Claudia Jones at Battersea Arts Centre
• Samia Djilli: Bridge the Gap programme graduate bringing North African commercial production to UK
• Nisha Oza: First recipient of Small Scale Commercial Investment, produced "World's End"

Key Language and Terminology

• “Commercial producing” (not subsidized or non-profit theatre)
• “Trajectory of development”
• “Independent producers”
• “Career development” vs. “project support”
• “Upscaling” productions
• “Community” and “good practice”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Career focus, not project focus: Stage One uniquely prioritizes developing YOU as a producer over funding specific productions. Frame your application around your career trajectory and professional development needs.

• Commercial viability is essential: Demonstrate clear commercial potential. Stage One supports producers in the commercial theatre sector, not subsidized or amateur theatre.

• Show your journey: Applications are twice yearly (spring/autumn), so time your application when you can demonstrate recent progress and clear next steps in your producing career.

• Budget strategically: Don't feel obligated to request the maximum £20,000. Show thoughtful planning about how the award will support your specific development needs.

• Community matters: Joseph Smith emphasizes Stage One is “first and foremost about community.” Show how you'll engage with and contribute to the broader producing community.

• Long-term thinking: Leadership thinks in 10-20 year horizons about developing future industry leaders. Position yourself as someone with sustained commitment to commercial producing.

• Diversity encouraged: Stage One “strongly encourages individuals from under-represented backgrounds to apply” and runs specific programs (Bridge the Gap) for under-represented producers.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Arts Council of England
• Backstage Trust
• THE MACKINTOSH FOUNDATION
• The Keith Howard Foundation
• Garfield Weston Foundation
• THE HOWARD FOUNDATION
• National Lottery
• THE FOYLE FOUNDATION

References

1. Stage One official website - Bursary Programme. https://stageone.uk.com/bursary/ (Accessed 13 October 2025)

1. Stage One - About the Bursary Award. https://stageone.uk.com/bursary/about-the-bursary-award/ (Accessed 13 October 2025)

1. Stage One - How to Apply. https://stageone.uk.com/bursary/how-to-apply/ (Accessed 13 October 2025)

1. Stage One - About Us. https://stageone.uk.com/about-us/ (Accessed 13 October 2025)

1. Stage One - Investment Schemes. https://stageone.uk.com/investment/ (Accessed 13 October 2025)

1. Stage One - Meet the Team. https://stageone.uk.com/about-us/meet-the-team/ (Accessed 13 October 2025)

1. Stage One - Interview with Joseph Smith. https://stageone.uk.com/interview-with-joseph-smith/ (Accessed 13 October 2025)

1. Stage One - Bursary Recipients. https://stageone.uk.com/bursary/meet-the-producers/ (Accessed 13 October 2025)

1. Charity Commission - Theatre Investment Fund Limited (271349). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/271349/full-print (Accessed 13 October 2025)

1. 360Giving GrantNav - Theatre Investment Fund Limited. https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/GB-CHC-271349 (Accessed 13 October 2025)