Stage One has announced the 10 producers selected for its Bridge the Gap programme for 2026/27, a year-long initiative dedicated to supporting underrepresented voices in commercial theatre producing.
Launched in 2018, Bridge the Gap is the only programme of its kind in the UK, providing emerging producers with training, mentoring, networking opportunities and financial support as they progress towards careers in commercial producing.
The new cohort includes Daniel Swift MBE, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Concrete Youth, whose credits include the OffWestEnd Award nominated Winter Wonderland and Sensory Cinders, the first West End production created specifically for learning disabled audiences.
Also joining the programme is Sadé Davis, founder of G.A.P Entertainment, whose producing work spans theatre, television and film, alongside Alfie Joe Sanders, founder of ALJO Entertainment, whose recent credits include The Abnormal Familiarity of Us at Theatre503 and the Beautiful World Cabaret series.
Katherine (Meiyu) Guo, founder of At Once Productions, has also been selected. Her work focuses on bold new writing and culturally specific stories centred on women, queer artists and underrepresented voices.
The cohort is completed by Regina Braithwaite, Morgan Brame, Jaemin Yu, Annis McGee, Lekan Lawal and Posy-Bluebell O’Rourke, representing a broad range of experiences across theatre, live performance, immersive work and commercial production.
Through the programme, participants will receive bespoke monthly workshops, one-to-one mentoring from established commercial producers, personal coaching, access to Stage One workshops, networking opportunities and eligibility for the Bridge the Gap Kick Start Grant worth up to £5,000.
Joseph Smith, Chief Executive of Stage One, said: “Our new Bridge the Gap cohort is an exciting and talented group, and we look forward to seeing their skills, confidence and careers continue to grow. As Bridge the Gap enters its eighth year, one of the programme’s greatest strengths remains its alumni network. It is inspiring to see meaningful relationships develop through the programme, from informal peer support to more formal co-producing partnerships. Stage One is proud to see Bridge the Gap continue to go from strength to strength.”
Former participant Anousha Karim praised the programme’s impact on her career, saying: “Bridge the Gap and Stage One have been transformative for my career. Alongside my placement at Kiln Theatre, Bridge the Gap gave me invaluable insight into producing through workshops with experienced professionals across the industry, as well as funding to invest in my own development. Just as importantly, it welcomed me into an incredible network of producers and introduced me to a cohort of peers who continue to be a source of support, advice and encouragement. I am now the Assistant Producer at Kiln Theatre, and the programme has equipped me with the knowledge, confidence and community to continue building my career.”
Bridge the Gap is supported by Theatre Development Trust, John Gore Organisation, Sonia Friedman Productions Ltd, Runaway Entertainment and Disney Theatricals.
More information can be found here.
