New Diorama's free rehearsal complex to offer all spaces via lottery

New Diorama Theatre’s free rehearsal and development complex will make all spaces available via a lottery when it opens in central London next month.

The 20,000 sq ft NDT Broadgate hopes to support more than 80,000 creatives over the course of a year, offering 29 rehearsal spaces to artists free of charge.

All applications to use the space will be chosen via a lottery, the theatre has now announced, in what it has described as a "radical departure from most artist opportunities".

New Diorama’s artistic director David Byrne said: "The last thing we need right now is more opportunities that force artists to compete against each other, and more rejections for creative projects.

"Therefore, all eligible applications made through NDT will be chosen by lottery – with no request being artistically judged or assessed in any way. While many would see this as a risk, it feels like just what this moment is calling for."

Applications are now open for space between August 16 and December 22. New Diorama said the application process will take less than 10 minutes, with applicants not needing to write more than 200 words.

NDT Broadgate is located near Liverpool Street Station, on a site provided through a partnership between the theatre and commercial property company British Land.

It is hoped that the initiative will help develop hundreds of new theatre projects over its year-long lifespan, while New Diorama has linked up with four associate companies that will be based at the space throughout and will be given the opportunity to gift further space to artists in their networks.

NDT Broadgate also offers dedicated support to theatre designers.