Open To Ideas Residency returns to Capital Theatres, The Studio
Now in it's third year, Open To Ideas, part of Open@TheStudio kicks off its residency programme this week with the first of four brand new projects.
Article Source: Capital Theatres
Last Updated: 19 March 2025 12:25
18 March, Edinburgh: Open To Ideas, part of Open@TheStudio kicks off its residency programme this week with the first of four brand new projects. Now in its third year, this unique residency from Capital Theatres continues to play a crucial role in nurturing innovation and creativity, providing Scottish theatremakers the space, resources and funding to develop brand new work.
The residencies are part of Capital Theatres’ Artist Support programme and aim to support both new and more experienced theatremakers providing complimentary rehearsal space in The Studio, Technical support and £2000 in seed funding, ensuring that theatremakers have a space to explore and experiment with new ideas.
The Residencies have been awarded to Louis Utieyin, Louis Barabbas, Isla Campbell and Amina Beg.
This month, Capital Theatres will host Louis Utieyin as he develops his first solo show, Diary of a DL Trade. Diary of a DL Trade is a one-man play about a Nigerian gay man navigating their sexuality in secrecy. Blending poetry, music, stand-up, and visuals, the show tries to give an answer to the question:” What does it cost to be your authentic self in a world of expectations.
This will be Louis’s first full project as a lead artist and he will be supported by Wonder Fools as he develops his script and performance skills.
Louis Utieyin is a comedian, theatre maker and filmmaker with a passion for developing stories around black queer characters through comedy and storytelling.
Louis Barabbas begins his residency in April and will explore ideas for new musical Wildfire Season.
Two firefighters negotiate a seemingly endless series of grass fires in the Scottish Highlands. During the quiet moments the pair strike up conversations, at first tentative, later more probing, finding areas of common ground and issues of conflict. Part Groundhog Day, part Waiting For Godot, part Two Strangers Carry A Cake Across New York, this show explores notions of belonging, vulnerability, privilege and what it is to matter in this world, all in the face of an unpredictable natural force that has no regard for any of us.
Songwriter Louis Barabbas is an on-call firefighter for the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, working as part of the Dunvegan crew on the Isle of Skye. His theatre credits as composer/lyricist include Coraline: A Musical (with Zinnie Harris) and Jocasta: A Musical Tragedy. Before working in theatre and the emergency services he was the lead singer for rock band The Bedlam Six and artistic director of independent label Debt Records.
Capital Theatres welcomes Isla Campbell in June when they will embark on the first phase of R&D on new drama The March.
In 1981, to protest the closure of Edinburgh’s washhouses, a group of working-class women staged a funeral march from Causewayside Washhouse to the City Chambers. Dressed in black, they carried a coffin marked “PUBLIC LAUNDRIES.” Isla Campbell’s Grandma was one of the pallbearers. The March (working title) is a piece of theatre exploring community, working-class women’s culture, and cuts to public services during the Thatcher era—paralleling today’s austerity.
Isla Campbell is a 23 year old non-binary writer and actor from Edinburgh, focused on telling authentic working-class Scottish stories through an accessible lens. As an actor they have appeared in BAFTA-winning FLOAT as Theo and they voice Clove in Valorant, while also being a founding member Shark Bait Theatre Company.
In July, Capital Theatres will support an experimental project Dada’s Mixtapes by Amina Aaliya Beg. This genre-blending one woman show uses tapes from her late grandfather, Mirza Islam Ullah Beg to create a show that mixes live DJing, poetry, animation and comedy to bring political and social commentary from 1984 to the present day. The tapes, which are an archive of her grandfather’s university research, touches on Palestinian land reform, institutional biases from his professors and proposes Islam as anti-capitalist.
Amina Aaliya Beg is the co-founder of ajeeb studios, a multidisciplinary artist, writer, director, poet, facilitator, and DJ using her platform to challenge social and political discourse around the representation of British Muslims. Amina has been part of the BFI Film Hub North Writers Programme (2024) and has developed and staged plays with Leicester Curve Theatre (‘Hope New Mill’, 2024) and Contact Theatre (‘My Mum Told Me Not to Marry an Atheist’, 2023).
Open To Ideas is part of Open@The Studio. Open@TheStudio is a unique, comprehensive programme of practical workshops, useful talks, R&D residencies and scratch nights designed to help those in the theatre industry: new graduates, independent artists, companies and self-producers, offering them a complete support package, from advice and networking, to workshops, free to use space and seed money.
Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres said:
“We are thrilled to be hosting our Scottish theatremakers, Louis, Louis, Isla and Amina at The Studio. We are excited to see their ideas grow and develop and to share in their creative journeys. We see this as a critical investment in the arts talent of the future, and we hope each not only has a valuable experience with us but they also have a lot of fun in the process.”
Claire Swanson, Head of Creative Engagement at Capital Theatres said:
“The Studio has become a real hub for emerging creative voices and we are so excited to host our theatremakers as they bring their ideas to life. It is a real honour to be a part of their creative journeys.
We received 155 applications for this programme and it was tremendous to see the range of creative ideas being developed by Scottish theatremakers. These four projects each have something exciting to say about where we are now and how we’ve got there. Open to Ideas offers artists the space, time and support they need to explore their ideas without the pressure to know all the answers straight away. We can’t wait to see what these theatremakers discover.”
Heather Marshall, past Open to Ideas recipient said:
“Open To Ideas allowed us to see what this project could be and, almost more importantly, could not be. It allowed us to experiment and rule out a lot of ideas until we settled on the right form for the piece. That truly is a gift- it is so rare that artists are given the space and time to play and make those mistakes.”
Anonymous participant feedback from Open@TheStudio:
“Capital Theatres is a space that artists can trust.”
“Brilliant for newer practitioners to be supported this way.”
Open@The Studio is supported by Baillie Gifford.
Image credit: Mikaela Bodlovic
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
World Gaelic Week grows as 2026 programme launched
Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) is set to grow for the fifth consecutive year as it launches its funded programme of events.
READ MORE
17 Edinburgh gyms open up to corporate fitness users in new city wide partnership
EGYM Hussle and Edinburgh Leisure unite to strengthen corporate fitness offering to help create a city 'where everyone is inspired to engage in physical activity'.
READ MORE
Edinburgh theatre redevelopment hits major milestone with funding secured from the Scottish Government to complete the main construction work
The King's Theatre has been awarded £2.5million from the Scottish Government, closing the funding gap for the main construction works needed to redevelop this much-loved Tollcross landmark.
READ MORE
Push the boat out for Valentines weekend aboard the most romantic floating hotel in the UK
The first-class crew aboard the UK's most romantic floating hotel will be stepping into the role of 'Romance Concierge' to elevate the guest experience this Valentine's Day weekend.
READ MORE
King Pins Edinburgh opens bookings and offers free bowling for a whole year
Guests can now book to play the Crown Jewels of Bowling at King Pins from 13th February and be in with the chance of winning £250 of free bowling.
READ MORE
Doddie Beir kicks off at Aldi in supermarket exclusive ahead of Six Nations Championship
The special-edition craft beer from Cold Town Beer raises vital funds for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, supporting its mission to find a cure for MND.
READ MORE
New Abacus restaurant brings Scottish Mediterranean dining to the Southside of Edinburgh
Abacus, the newly refurbished bar and restaurant at The Scholar Hotel, has opened, offering an all-day dining experience where seasonal Scottish produce meets Mediterranean influences.
READ MORE
The Palmerston and Sotto to swap restaurants in aid of MND Charity
On Monday 9th February, Edinburgh restaurants Sotto and The Palmerston will swap restaurants to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease charity 'My Name'5 Doddie Foundation'.
READ MORE
The Leddie celebrates Burns with a paired Balvenie supper
The Leddie Hotel in Aberlady is celebrating Burn’s Night in true Scottish style on Friday 23rd January, with a one-night-only themed supper in partnership with The Balvenie.
READ MORE
Mowgli Street Food Introduces the new 600 calorie Lite Tiffin
Healthy, hearty and great value at just £15 per person - Mowgli's new Lite Tiffin launches this January.
READ MORE
Return to Middle Earth as The Lord of The Rings Trilogy celebrates its 25th anniversary at Vue
One of the most iconic and beloved fantasy trilogies of all time, The Lord of The Rings, is returning to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
READ MORE
From suite to studio: The Balmoral unveils bespoke in room reformer pilates
In partnership with FÔLD, The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel, is proud to unveil its latest pioneering wellness innovation: reformer pilates delivered to your suite.
READ MORE
A night for poetry, pipes and plates: Burns Night at Duck & Waffle Edinburgh
When poetry meets plate and tradition meets indulgence, Burns Night 2026 comes alive at Duck & Waffle Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Summerhall Arts announce CATALYST: Art as Activism, four new solo exhibitions for 2026
Summerhall Arts presents CATALYST: Art as Activism, a season of four solo exhibitions that position contemporary art as a sustained, embodied form of resistance.
READ MORE
A Burns Night under the stars: Dynamic Earth reimagines the traditional supper
This Burns Night, Dynamic Earth invites you to step into the stars for an evening where tradition meets the galaxy!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival opens submissions for Global Ink 2026
Submissions for Global Ink 2026, Edinburgh International Book Festival's flagship international forum for Festival Directors, are now open.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble spotlights future string stars with Musical Encounters
Scottish Ensemble begins an exciting 2026 with the return of their Young Artist programme, helping to develop the next generation of Scotland's young string players.
READ MORE
Celebrate love with your PAWfect Valentine at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting pet parents to celebrate Valentine's Day with their beloved furry friends in selected stores across the country!
READ MORE
Enlightenment an immersive experience set to transform McEwan Hall in Edinburgh
Swiss art collective PROJEKTIL will bring its vivid light and sound show to Edinburgh from 31st January, following acclaimed runs in Glasgow, Liverpool and Leeds!
READ MORE
Primary schools in Scotland given chance to win specifically curated Burns Supper from Aldi
Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils across Scotland the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival launches 2026 programme with over 100,000 tickets on sale
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the full programme for 2026's event with 560 shows in 40 venues across the city from 11th - 29th March, and over 100,000 tickets now on sale!
READ MORE
Top Scottish chef to host floating Captains Table experience onboard luxury Edinburgh hotel
One of Scotland's leading chefs will be hosting a collaborative Captain's Table experience onboard Edinburgh's five-star luxury floating hotel, Fingal, on Wednesday 4th February.
READ MORE
National Centre for Music appoints Director of Partnerships
Scotland's National Centre for Music bolsters founding team with new Director of Partnerships.
READ MORE
Celebrate Burns Night 2026 at Flight Club
If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Burns Night this year, head to Flight Club!
READ MORE
Everything you need to know about Celtic Connections 2026
The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.
READ MORE
Zizzi launches their January Birthday Jackpot
Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!
READ MORE
Litter picking dog charity aims to remove 44 million pieces of rubbish in 2026
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Open Workshop kicks off the New Year with hands on courses to build new skills
New year, new skills. Edinburgh Open Workshop is kicking off January with a hands-on programme of creative courses designed to help people turn resolutions into reality!
READ MORE
Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Famous faces share their DofE Award memories in celebration of their 70th anniversary
Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links