PERFORM Residency

PERFORM - Performer Residency

Deepen your craft through Gecko’s unique physical and emotional performance language.

Perform is Gecko’s immersive professional development residency for performers looking to expand their physical storytelling, emotional range and ensemble practice. We offer 2 distinct Perform residencies for Emerging and Mid-career artists. Through restaging sequences from Gecko’s repertoire, participants explore breath, voice, character, rhythm and musicality as powerful tools for expression.

Led by Gecko’s highly experienced devising performers, our residencies are uniquely curated experiences and richly collaborative spaces to connect, play and make art within a safe community where honesty and vulnerability is encouraged and championed.

WHO ARE THEY FOR?

This programme is suitable for artists who are interested in deepening their physical theatre performance skills and experience. We are always excited to work with open hearted, curious, creative and collaborative individuals.

We offer 2 distinct Perform residencies:

Emerging Artists (aged 18–25): In training or recently graduated
OR
Mid-Career Artists (aged 25+): Seeking to refine and evolve their practice

Participants must be comfortable with highly physical, collaborative work.

Our residencies are only open to applicants who have not previously taken part in a Gecko Residency. For artists who wish to continue their professional development with us, we also run returners residencies and other opportunities for further development which will be sent directly to you rather than advertised publicly.

Gecko is committed to diversity, inclusion and equality within the arts and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

Our week-long PERFORM residencies explore the performance techniques Artistic Director Amit Lahav implements in his productions.

You can expect to learn:

Embodied character development and ensemble work
Musicality and tempo as dramaturgical tools
Supported access to emotion and inner narrative
Rehearsal of choreography from Gecko productions
Reflective, playful, and rigorous exploration

Participants will be nurtured and challenged in their artistic decision-making and the residency will culminate in the creation of a short ensemble piece, putting what you have learned into practice.

*Please be aware that some of the work has a strong emotional component. Please get in touch if you wish to discuss this further.

WHAT WILL I GAIN?

Practical tools to enrich your creative toolkit
Deeper understanding of Gecko’s devising process
Expanded artistic confidence and clarity
Connection to a new network of collaborators

UPCOMING RESIDENCIES

Mid-Career Artists: Monday 8th - Friday 12th December 2025
Emerging Artists: Monday 15th - Friday 19th December 2025

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

£500/ £400 Student/NEET (incl. VAT)
A finance plan is available to spread the costs.

WHERE WILL IT TAKE PLACE?

CLOD Ensemble, C2, Design District, 3 Cripps Yard, Soames Walk, London SE10 0BQ

ARE THERE ANY BURSARY PLACES AVAILABLE?
Equality, diversity and inclusion are central elements of Gecko’s essence, supporting our vision of deepening human connection through physical, visual, visceral and ambitious performance and participation.

“This is the best my disability has been treated in any of the training I've done…it means so much to me that I had such a smooth and joyous time.” - Spring ‘23 Residency Participant

Gecko is committed to creating opportunities for those who are underrepresented in the arts and we are particularly keen to receive applications from artists from the global majority, those from a lower socio-economic background, d/Deaf, neurodivergent and disabled artists. Therefore, we will be offering bursary places for this residency which covers the fee, accommodation and subsistence. Please note, participants will need to arrange their own travel. If you would benefit from this opportunity, please complete the appropriate section of the application.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A PLACE?
Places are via application only and will be selected based on experience and suitability for this programme.

You will need to fill out our application form with the following information:

Uploading a CV or equivalent
Uploading a recent headshot
Uploading a short video (no longer than 3 minutes) telling us a bit about yourself, and detailing why you want to take part in the residency and how it will influence your training and professional development.
Your reason for applying for a bursary place, if applicable
Equality and Diversity section

Application Deadline: Tuesday 14th October 12pm
All applicants will receive an outcome by Monday 20th October