That’s a whole extra two weeks for you to submit your brilliant and creative applications to our team here at Creative Youth.

The artforms FUSE International incorporates are changing all the time. We don’t like to be prescriptive – fundamentally, if you have an idea, we want to hear about it. And whatever it is you bring, you can be assured of a supportive and energetic environment in which to present it. We have a wide range of spaces available during the festival, from small cabaret spaces to large scale auditoriums so whatever scale you feel ready to work to, we’re happy to help.

We are taking applications through Eventotron – an online festival platform – for all submissions. If you have any queries or any specific access requirements in regards to either the application process, your idea/project or anything else then please do not hesitate to get into touch with our team by reaching out at FUSEprogrammer@creativeyouthcharity.org

All resources to assist with your submission can be found here.

As the UK’s largest multi-arts festival for performers under the age of 27, FUSE International brings together some of the brightest young talent from around the world for 10 extraordinary days of theatre, music, comedy, dance, circus, visual art and more. It is a celebration of new voices, raw talent, ideas in development.

FUSE International welcomes an inventive and challenging spirit where young people of today can raise the issues that influence their lives, and make this festival their own. If you’re over 27 but your work is directed at young audiences, we’d love to hear from you too.

FUSE International takes place every year in summer in the stunning historical location of Kingston upon Thames, London.

The artforms FUSE incorporates are changing all the time. We don’t like to be prescriptive – fundamentally, if you have an idea, we want to hear about it. And whatever it is you bring, you can be guaranteed an inclusive, supportive and energetic environment in which to present it.

KEY DATES
Deadline to apply: 9 January 2022
Programming decisions: March 2022
Tickets on sale: May 2022

HOW TO APPLY
Before applying through Eventotron, we encourage you to first on our website, and read our festival resources page. This tells you everything you need to know about applying to be part of the festival, and provides helpful information such as venue sizes, services and costs, and FAQs.

If you have any questions about applying to be part of FUSE International 2022, speak to our programming team on fuseprogrammer@creativeyouthcharity.org.

The piece centred around youth violence and its entanglement with social inequality, aiming to look at the root cause of its rise. With a cast comprised of young people, ‘Just My Boy’ is a powerful call to action from the demographic most affected by this issue: young people.

The combined use of Physical Theatre and harrowing projected CCTV footage of youth violence was distressing yet necessary to convey the harsh reality of this growing societal problem. Early in the piece, parallels were drawn between knife crime today and that in Macbeth and how in both instances the desire to murder is driven by desire for power and respect amongst peers, emphasising how long this issue has really been around.

At one point in the piece, the young actors create caricatures of current politicians, parodying each of their opinions and attitudes towards youth violence and gang culture conveying how it is almost comedic how such a pressing issue is disregarded by the government and wider society.

The chilling verbatim used from those affected first-hand by youth violence further opened the eyes of the audience to the harsh reality of gang culture and its glamorization in today’s day and age through social media and music.

The use of spoken word at the end of the piece undoubtedly resonated with every audience member: ’26 hours in labour, and only 4 minutes to watch him die’. ‘Just My Boy’ gives a voice to marginalised communities directly affected by youth violence and its call to action will certainly stick with its audience for a long time.

At the outset of the play, we are introduced to Wendy Darling and her brothers sleeping peacefully before the mischievous and charismatic Peter tumbles in joined by his fractious sidekick ‘Tink. The fact that the roles of children were played by young people contributed greatly to the playful and imaginative tone of the play. As an audience member I particularly enjoyed how the ensemble played a key part in the production, not only using physical theatre to bring Peter’s shadow to life, but also creating seamless transitions between the real world and ‘Neverland’.

All of the lead actors were phenomenal, but personally for me, Captain Hook was a huge standout performance. He perfectly maintained the pace of the play, all the while creating a frightening atmosphere with occasional drops of humour keeping the audience engaged and on edge. Some other honourable mentions were the protagonists Peter and Wendy themselves, the actors perfectly capturing the charisma and mischief of Peter and the innocence and empathy of Wendy.

From Stage Combat to mermaids and fairies, Coombe Academy of Performing Arts welcomed the audience into ‘Neverland’ and the imagination of children for one unforgettable evening.

– Review by one of our young reviewers, Sophie Lambert.

This is not a decision that we have taken lightly but, as I’m sure you realise, we have to act in the best interests of the companies and individuals taking part, our audiences, our volunteers and our staff. We also wanted to make this decision as early as we could in an ever-developing situation. We now feel, as more and more countries take decisions to isolate, that there is little likelihood of the Pandemic receding at such a scale and rate for the Festival to go ahead in its current form.

These are unprecedented times and we have made what we regard as the best judgement for health and wellbeing. We know you will share in our disappointment but hope you appreciate the unique circumstances that have led to this decision.

This naturally has implications for the charity and we are working now to develop plans that allow us to continue our work and begin planning for IYAF 2021.

We know that you appreciate the importance of creative and cultural activity in fostering positive relationships and opportunities for all. We will be working towards being ready to emerge with activity as soon as the environment allows.

We appreciate your support, patience and understanding in these unprecedented circumstances.

Thank you

Creative Youth and the International Youth Arts Festival

“As the new Director of the International Arts Festival (IYAF), I like to think I have taken on one of the most important jobs in the arts right now.

We’re a multi-arts festival celebrating theatre, music, dance, comedy and visual arts created by and for young people – who we define as being 26 and under. Since 2009 we have provided a platform for emerging talent from around the world to present their work in a safe and supportive environment, free from the excessive financial burdens that typically accompany the Edinburgh Fringe.

Previously, we have taken the ‘international’ part of our name as a given. Who wouldn’t want the best young artists from across Europe and beyond to visit our shores? But in light of current political events it feels more and more like a manifesto.

Last year, for the first time, we encountered major issues securing visas for some of our visiting companies. And we were not alone – festivals from Glastonbury to Womad reported similar problems. There is surely no need to spell out the message this sends to our international colleagues.

This year, in response, we have had to start arranging visas at a much earlier stage and I’m glad to say we have been largely successful. But who is to say what the state of play might be next year, especially if the much-touted ‘no deal’ solution to Brexit goes ahead?

We urgently need to repair some of the damage the UK’s international reputation has suffered, and the arts have a huge role to play in this. Now more than ever is the time to be opening our arms to cultural organisations from overseas, sending an unequivocal message that they are welcome here.

I’m so proud that, as we welcomed people to IYAF 2019, we are leading the way in doing precisely that.”

– Petra Jane Tauscher

Kingston comes alive every summer during IYAF, and we hope you have enjoyed the Festival as much as we have. We will be sharing photos and videos from the events on our Facebook page over the next few weeks. Please share your memories, photos and videos with us – we’d love to hear about your Festival experience!

The winners for IYAF 2019 are as follows:

Best of IYAF Theatre
Grafting by Jamie Woods in association with Fine Mess Theatre

Best of IYAF Comedy
Ellen Lilley

Best of IYAF Children & Family
Jack and The Beanstalk by Lyngo Theatre

Best of IYAF Music
The Bolders

Best of IYAF Dance
The Wizard’s Tale by Vital Signz Dance

Best of IYAF Short Performance
Wovoka’s Prophecy by Caitlin Barnett

Best of IYAF International
A Place of Knowing by Intsusa and TheatreDuo

Best Emerging Company
Rendered Retina Theatre Company (with Form)

Audience Choice Awards
Blood Wedding by TransformArts!
Grip by Nothing2Perform
Monsters & Me by Nya Paraplyteatern and STiC-er Theater