Showcase comments
Published 1 October 2008
Here are a few comments from those who have attended a decibel Performing Arts Showcase:
"As an established company, Showcase was a good place to network with existing contacts and make a few more. We were fortunate enough to make some contacts in the USA, which resulted in a sold out run at Crossroads in New Jersey, one of the USA's leading theatre's for Black work.”
'''Ed Higginson, Producer, Rasa Theatre'''
“Taking part in the Showcase enabled us to deliver our aims and connect with a wide and relevant audience. Our project, MI21, has since been supported in its development by a venue outside our region (South East) and is now a ready-to tour piece of work. This has been a phenomenal outcome in such a short space of time.
'''Indy Hunjan, Director, Kala Phool Ltd'''
"Contact has been a host venue for decibel twice, and in 2007 we sent a group of staff and artists to the Showcase to scout for talent. The Showcase is a great opportunity to see new work, hear about plans from artists and companies, and to explore new ideas. Contact has been proud to see many of its key artists featured in decibel, and we always come away from the Showcase with new ideas for programming and future collaborations."
'''John McGrath, Artistic Director, Contact Theatre'''
“I came to decibel to meet other artists, producers and directors; to be inspired, to network and to be challenged and provoked on how I view things.
The highlights for me have been ‘those meetings in the corridors’, those unexpected gatherings where ideas are formed…the shows… connecting with people I haven’t met before from international locations and seeing new work.
decibel has created something that will carry on, people have connected over the years and it’s now time that the people here take advantage of the connections that they have made."
'''Yani Ray, Birmingham'''
“We came to decibel07 not to present work, but to see what was going on in the scene, meet people make connections and put faces to names. It has been really good to chat with people - not just with promoters- but also with artists, to share best practise and ideas.
We would love there to be another one (decibel event) is anyone listening? I think it would be a really valuable thing to happen."
'''Cat Bailey, Funny Fabric Company'''
“I came to decibel to see as much work as I possibly could in a short space of time, because I don’t have the time or the money to get round to see as much work as I would like to. This is a great opportunity for me to see a lot and refresh the base of companies that I work from, introduce myself to new work and keep my knowledgebase up to date. The week has been great! Exhausting! Shellshocking! I have met some people that I might book; I’ve met people that are not suitable for my venue but whose details I will definitely pass on to others who may be able to book them.
The highlight of the week for me was Shades of Brown which was fantastic, Akademi dance piece was brilliant and I liked brothatalk a lot."
'''Amanda Saunders, touring and programme director, Steven Jones Theatre, Scarborough'''
“It’s been a great opportunity to network, and I have made many contacts this week. decibel has really worked for me."
'''Yulsander, Japan'''
“decibel has been an incredible opportunity for me to meet world-class performers and directors. I am not very good at networking or talking about my work, but there were many opportunities to talk honestly about what we do and it generates a kind of power. People were genuinely interested in making friends and helping each other get to the next stage."
'''Stacy Makishi, Artist'''
