We know there are a variety of talented and creative people in Derby and we cannot wait to hear from you!
The Process:
- There are several ways you can apply to be involved using the forms below, then our community panel will meet to choose a selection of participants from those who have applied.
- All applications will be considered and successful applications will be contacted by Saturday 6th December 2025.
- All selected participants/groups to perform will receive £50 (per group regardless of number of performers) towards costs related to their performance. (Please note: This only applies to Variety show artists, fashion show acts, DJ’s and open mic opportunities only.)
- AGE: All of the below opportunities are for participants aged 18+ however, we will accept applications that are multigenerational including participants under 18 years of age if they are performing alongside adults.
- Safeguarding: Please note Derby Theatre does not provide chaperones and accepts no responsibility for these provisions or licences (if required) for those under 18 years old. We do expect all groups to comply with these rules and regulations and it is your responsibility to provide chaperones and appropriate provisions per child in compliance with our Derby Theatre safeguarding policy and the UK law should you have performers under the age of 18. These procedures are the full responsibility of each group to provide, including gaining video and photography permissions. If you do not comply with these rules or do not provide adequate chaperones, parental or guardian care then Derby Theatre has the right to pull your performance at anytime and not allow you to perform as part of safeguarding regulations.
- Performances will be in the evening, you must be available all day for a technical rehearsal. Times TBC.
Click on the Call Out below to see more information and how to apply.
Call Outs
Main Stage Variety Show
This could be performers, singers, poets, dancers, musicians or more!
We are open to receiving applications that showcase any skill, talent or performance medium but please keep in mind the requirements below:
- Time slot up to 5 minutes
- Whilst some arrangements can be made for instruments, props or equipment to be used on stage, please bear in mind this is a variety show and therefore large scenic changes may be a challenge. We need to ensure smooth transitions between performers coming off and the next going on so please take this into consideration in your application and let us know what your act requires and if you need anything pre-setting e.g. drum kits, a piano etc.
- If you are a singer and/or part of a dance group we would welcome you to apply to perform together but individual applications are still accepted.
- Family friendly content
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Main Stage Fashion Show
Join us for a celebration of style, culture and talent from around the world!
This colourful, bright and vibrant event is all about celebrating local people, creativity, and the rich cultural diversity that brings our communities together.
Requirements:
- Applications can be for a group or individuals
- Represent any type of culture and fashion style (For example previous events have ranged from hip hop culture, Pop music, different decades, e.g 1960s outfits, Caribbean carnival, Indian traditional/classical dance, Latvian, Ukrainian) and a variety of stunning cultural heritage clothing.
- Each act will have 2 minutes to enter the stage and do a fashion walk and then a further (up to) 4 minutes to perform (one song, one dance routine, relevant live music etc) OR have a conversation with the host about their cultural attire.
- There will be a DJ to play any pre-recorded tracks and we must receive the details of your music choice one month before the event.
- Family friendly content
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Open Mic Slots
Come and get the party started!
Get the party started in the upper foyer bar with an open mic slot of 10-15 minutes specifically for you to take the mic and do your thing.
We are open to all genres and styles of music, rap, singing etc. and our community panel will decide the 4 successful applicants. Applications can be solo or groups but please bear in mind that musical accompaniment needs to be stated on the application form and how many mics you will need.
We will have a DJ to play tracks in between slots and any soundtracks provided by you.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
DJ Call Out
Come and get the building buzzing with your flavour.
We have loved connecting with local DJ’s through the last few years and are always on the look out to support more.
For this event we have a variety of slots available and you can choose to be considered for one or more. Some of the slots will be more about supporting acts with their chosen tracks and mixing more bespoke sets and some will be for you to have more of a free reign.
Maybe you have lots of experience and are also happy to host on the mic or maybe you are fairly new and are looking for that chance to play at a live event.
See the descriptions below and let us know any more details on your application form.
Open mic – approx. 60 minute set. Hosting and introducing open mic artists, playing your own mix in between artists and supporting them if they need live music. We are looking for someone who is confident talking to the crowd and getting everyone in a celebratory and party atmosphere as well as considerate to champion the open mic artists. This will be for a family friendly audience as some under 18s may be attending the theatre show after.
Interval DJ– Own mix to play a approx. 30 minute set in the show interval and first 10 minutes after the show comes out of the main theatre. Not much audience interaction required necessarily but we are open to your style if you do. (Family friendly audience as some under 18s may be attending the theatre show.)
Fashion Show – The community steering group wanted to offer this to someone that might be interested in DJ and technical (sound) theatre. You will be partnered with a sound technician from Derby Theatre and make a play list depending on what the tracks are that are provided by each group and if there are any gaps to fill. Staging details are TBC but you will be inside the theatre auditorium. Approx. 1 hour
Post Show party – An experienced DJ to fill approx. 1 hour set and celebrate the event and communities of Derby. We want this to really celebrate creativity, culture, people and joy and any style is welcome. This will be 16+ guidance for audience.
During this time there will also be a community paint and share event in the space next door which we will ask you to encourage people to participate in and every now and again call out raffle ticket numbers for the next set of participants to join.
(Times of DJ set’s are subject to change but will roughly be as stated above. Once the group have decided on the artist applications we will be able to confirm the timings with you.)
CLICK TO APPLY HERE
Call Out deadline 12pm 28th November 2025.
Any applications after this time will not be considered.
Successful application recipients will receive an answer by Saturday, 6th December.
If you have not heard from us by this date please note you will not have been successful on this occasion.