Touring Further Afield: Pathways, collaborations & opportunities

Practical insights for theatre and dance artists looking to develop touring opportunities, partnerships and connections across the UK. How do venues and festivals decide what to programme? When is your work ready to tour? Where can you find funding and partnership support? And how do you build relationships with programmers that can lead to opportunities? This is a practical professional development session for theatre and dance artists, producers and companies who want to expand the presentation of their work nationally and internationally, and build onwards touring, collaborations and partnerships. As part of Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland at Belfast International Arts Festival 2026 festival showcase weekend, Theatre and Dance NI (TDNI) is delighted to welcome programmers, producers, venue and festival leaders, and funders from across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to share practical insight into touring, presenting, funding and developing long-term partnerships. The session will look beyond securing a single booking to explore how artists can develop sustainable touring pathways, build key relationships and position their work for further opportunities across the island, the UK and internationally. What will you get from the session? You’ll have the opportunity to: • Hear directly from senior programmers from leading Scottish and English venues and festivals, including Summerhall Arts; Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival and National Theatre, London. • Understand funding and other opportunities available from UK organisations including British Council, Arts Council NI and Belfast City Council. • Learn first-hand how programming decisions are made and what programmers look for when considering work. • Explore whether festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe are the right strategic investment for you and your work, hearing from Ellinor Fristorp Rodén, International Engagement Officer at Edinburgh Fringe. • Build relationships with key decision makers involved in programming, touring and commissioning. • Hear from local company SkelpieLimmer Productions on navigating the journey from local to international. • Leave with practical next steps to help develop your ambitions and build connections across the island, UK, and internationally. What will the afternoon cover? Getting your work programmed and touring Hear directly from programmers, producers, festivals and venues about how programming decisions are made, what makes work stand out, when a project is ready to tour and how to build relationships that go beyond a single booking. We’ll also explore Edinburgh Fringe, showcases, networking, partnerships, co-productions and different approaches to sustainable touring. Funding, partnerships and developing your work Explore funding and support for developing and touring work, including UK and international opportunities, and partnership-led approaches. Hear what funders are looking for and how you can build national and international ambitions into the development of your work. There will be opportunities to ask questions throughout the afternoon, followed by dedicated networking time. Panellists include: • Ellinor Fristorp Rodén, International Engagement Officer, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society • Abs Reeve, Producer, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival • Liam McMullan, Associate Producer, National Theatre Productions • Seón Simpson, Co-Founder, Writer & Director, SkelpieLimmer Productions • Gina Donnelly, Co-Founder, Playwright & Producer, SkelpieLimmer Productions • Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer (Drama & Dance), Arts Council of Northern Ireland • Neil Webb, Director, Theatre and Dance, British Council • Roisin Daley, Culture Development Officer, Belfast City Council Facilitated by: • Brona Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer, Arts & Business NI Who is it for? This session is designed for theatre and dance artists, producers and independent companies who are: • thinking about touring beyond Northern Ireland • developing work with touring potential • looking for funding, collaborators or partners • interested in festivals, showcases or opportunities across Ireland, the UK or internationally. You don't need to already be touring to attend. If you're beginning to think about where your work could go next, this session will help you understand the landscape and identify practical next steps. Schedule 1:00pm – Welcome and introductions 1:10pm – Part one: Getting Your Work Programmed & Touring 2:00pm – Audience Q&A 2:15pm – Part two: Funding, Partnerships & Developing Your Work 3:05pm – Audience Q&A 3:20pm – Networking 4:00pm – Close Make the most of Spotlight 2026 TDNI Members: You can also join us for our FREE Meet the Delegates event on Friday 23 October, offering an opportunity to connect with national and international delegates as part of the TDNI and Belfast International Arts Festival International Showcase. Advance registration is required. Book your free place here. Not a TDNI member? Join Theatre and Dance NI to access exclusive member opportunities, events and discounted professional development. Part of Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland This event forms part of Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland, connecting Northern Ireland artists with presenters, programmers, funders and development partners and supporting longer-term relationships and touring pathways. This is part one of a Theatre and Dance NI facilitated broader training programme which will include opportunities to connect with key stakeholders in the Republic of Ireland, the United States and Canada. Stay tuned for these sessions in the coming months. Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland is supported by Culture Ireland, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and British Council Northern Ireland.