The Etties: The ET Creative Kitty
🎭 Introducing: The ET Creative Kitty! 🐱💰
What is the ET Creative Kitty?
It is our brand-new cash prize designed to support the fringe theatre community! The ET Creative Kitty is a growing pot of money that will be awarded to an exceptional artist or company to help them develop and elevate their show into 2027.
Why are we doing this?
We’ve been championing and shouting about fringe theatre since 2010, and it’s finally time to put our money where our mouth is!
As a fully volunteer-run organisation, we don’t have massive costs. And since we’re more popular than ever, our advertising revenue has officially outpaced our running costs. Instead of sitting on it, we want to give back to the very people who make the theatre we love.
How much is in the kitty?
Honestly? We don’t know yet! But here is how it’s growing:
- Our Promise: Since 1 May, we’ve committed at least 10% of all our advertising revenue directly into the pot.
- Venue Match-Making: We’re going to start gently pestering some of the larger, established venues to back this initiative too. It’s time for them to give a little love back to the grassroots scene. After all, today’s fringe artists are the ones who will be filling their big stages in the future!
- Community Boost: Generous theatre lovers can donate directly to build it even further.
We won’t know the grand total until the night of the Etties Live Celebration, but we’ll be keeping a public running total so you can watch the kitty grow! What we will guarantee though is that it will be at least £400, even if we have to dip deeper into our pockets to make this amount.
Who is eligible?
If you’ve staged a show during 2026 at any of our Etties-eligible venues, you’re in the running!
Whether it was a fully-fledged production or an early work-in-progress, you qualify. Better yet? There is no tedious application form and no fee charged to be included. Sending an invitation for us to review is all you need to do – by simply inviting us to write about your work, we’ll automatically consider you.
How will the winner be chosen?
Throughout 2026, our dedicated team of reviewers will be keeping their eyes peeled, nominating the artists and teams creating the most exciting, innovative new theatre. At the end of the year, the Etties judging panel will review the shortlist to select our final winner.
When is the big reveal?
The winner will be announced live on stage as part of our Etties Live Celebration at The Space Theatre in early 2027!
Want to help us grow the kitty? 🐾
Every single pound helps independent theatre thrive. If you want to chip in, it couldn’t be easier:
☕ How to Donate: Head over to our Ko-fi page here and leave a donation. Just make sure to write “Creative Kitty” in the description so we know exactly where to put it!