the KXT bAKEHOUSE RESPONSE TO COVID
Rather than close the doors and wait it out, bAKEHOUSE led the way with a commitment to increased investment in our Artists, through a broad program of investment in writing, rehearsing, mentoring and development. When doors opened again we prioritised emerging artists, showcasing new work and young practitioners, fast tracking new writing and providing and intense program of opportunities.
We formalised our bAKEHOUSE Residency program, and to date six seasons of work developed during this time has been staged at KXT and other venues in Sydney
We launched By Design, an ongoing initiative for designers and visual artist
We established Phone A Friend, now a part of our Step up mentoring program
We supported a group of Associate Artists as they formulated the next steps in their career development
BounceBack continued our ongoing producer support program, The Laboratory somehow managed to survive and thrive, and with the support of KX Hotel we were able to offer audiences a broad range of free and low cost events
In 2021 we kickstarted StoryLines with an extended and award winning season presented by Tiffany Wong’s company Slanted Theatre. We partnered with Laneikka Denne to launch The Monologue Collective a writers program investing in teenage playwrights. We hatched a plan for a program of queer writing, we rebooted Storytellers, we partnered with Panimo to offer unprecedented opportunities for young artists.
See below for more about the KXT Covid response in 2020 and 2021
We’re Opening the Door of KXT again. Our focus is on Artist Support and Engagement, and new work. Featuring the bAKEHOUSE Residencies at KXT.
THE COST OF COVID KXT provides unmatched support for the artistic community in Sydney. Our closure has meant the cancellation of the following • 10 full scale productions • 9 pop up seasons • 3 platform programs for new writers • 2020 mentoring team • 6 scheduled play reads (in partnership with Legit theatre) • 6 networking events (in partnership with Panimo) • Step Up: A year long program of mentoring including 9 production placements (internships); 10 foyer meet-ups; 4 artists networking opportunities
KXT was not cancelled
Rather all shows that would normally have been running during the lockdown period were postponed to a later date. Since March 2020, KXT has built on our existing artist support programs, offering opportunities and upskilling to emerging artists, writers, producers and designers.
In 2019 a total of 21,928 people attended productions at KXT. 475 artists participated in productions with additional artists participating in our many industry support programs and events. Also in 2019: KXT provided opportunities for 103 working artists in production support and technical design. KXT2020 was on track to exceed these figures.
So while we waited …
In 2021 we supported 12 producers, 7 companies, 3 designers, 10 emerging writers and 6 directors. We’ve got a couple of covid commissions in the pipeline. We continued our Covid response programs Phone a Friend and Pay It Forward, and rolled out further initiatives designed to keep us connected and moving forward together.
the bAKEHOUSE RESDIENCIES at KXT …By reopening with a broad program of Artist Support we equipped producers and companies to quickly deliver quality productions, investing in the future success of their work. Producer-led teams moved into the theatre to develop scripts, and explore and imagine new projects.
DESIGNERS …bAKEHOUSE commissioned three independent designers and artists for something a little bit special
#PAYITFORWARD …the bAKEHOUSE investment in producers and production companies, assisting theatre makers to prepare for the reopening of venues delivered significant funds for all companies, covering costs incurred and paying artists
THE LABORATORY …a bAKEHOUSE / Montague Basement partnership developed work, and offered peer networking and dramaturgical support
PHONE A FRIEND …a personalised mentoring program assisted early career artists to stay connected in the time of COVID
PRODUCER UPSKILLING BounceBack … a digital program of personalised meetings guiding producers through budgets, marketing and promotional campaigns, design, personnel, and product delivery. By running these during the Covid closure, we equipped producers and production companies to quickly deliver quality productions when trading recommenced, and invested in the success of their seasons
COVID COMMISSIONS …There wasn’t a lot of spare cash around but thanks to some brilliant private supporters and the generosity of KX Hotel, we were able to scrape together a little something to invest in a couple of very exciting new *commissioned* works.
EVENTS keen to get audiences back into the theatre as well, so we planned a number of free events at KXT, with the option to support the artists with donated tickets. LEGIT Theatre brought back KXTeethcutting; Rebekah Robertson launched ANALOGUE and our designers hosted film nights and exhibitions.
