Anita's Room

About Anita’s Room

Anita’s Room is Brighton Dome’s brand-new dedicated creative space for artists to research, experiment and create bold and courageous new work. We are accepting applications from local artists and community groups for one week residencies.

Part of the newly-refurbished Grade I and II listed Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre, Anita’s Room is fully equipped with a lighting grid, mixing desk and the latest 5G technology. The space can accommodate up to 40 people within its main space, office and kitchen areas and is suitable for a range of activities, including: research, development, writing, rehearsal, workshops, retreats, experimentation, music making and community group work.

Reflecting the importance of arts and culture in Brighton & Hove, Anita’s Room is designed to support works in progress, alongside small scale performances and events. Performers and creatives from across the area will have the opportunity to undertake a week-long residency in the space, allocated via a simple online application process. Applications are welcome from individuals and groups across all performing artforms and at all stages of their career. The space will also be made available to Brighton Dome’s associate artists, In-House Artists, and national and international visiting performers. Priority in our Open Call will be given to artists who are working without regular funding.

'A light, peaceful spacious room for clear and thinking and creative work. Lovely break out rooms and kitchen space too. It's great to feel a sense of belonging and to rehearse in a space where you are surrounded by other creative projects. It's finally here and I hope many local artists can find solace and inspiration here.' - Tanushka Marah 

2025 Anita’s Room residencies (from our Autumn call out)

• Tommaso Giacomin - R&D for a new multidisciplinary piece of theatre.
• Leroy Horns - Research and Development of solo show Transients - A musical meditation on the Nature of Obstacles.
• Catie Ridewood -- R&D for a new play.
• Sophie Ellen Powell - Researching magical realism with puppets. 
• HurlyBurly Theatre - R&D for a new early years durational theatre piece.
• Bela Emerson - developing and sharing integrated sound, movement, and embodiment practices.
• Philip Morgan: R&D for 'Unboxed' a new play on the theme of the redemptive power of friendship.

To find out more about what has already happened during the first year of Anita’s Room, please check our social media feeds and the #AnitasRoom on Instagram.

What can you use the space for

Research, development, writing, rehearsal, labs, retreats, experimentation, small sharings or invited visitors, music making, singing, working with invited groups of community performers/makers.

Anita’s Room is not intended as a ‘messy space’ and is not expected to be used for visual arts or crafts in the main, although we recognise there may be multi artform or genre defying practitioners whose use of the room may incorporate these elements. Anita’s Room is not available for regular use or hire or ticketed events.

Anita’s Room does not have a sprung floor so is not intended for dance rehearsal unless the guest user is confident their dance practice will be safe without a sprung floor.

Commercial rate equivalent for the space is £280 for 10-6pm usage and this figure can be used as in-kind match funding for funding applications.

What you can expect from us

You can find the tech spec here.

If you are offered space you will need sign a contract and tell us all the details about how you will use the space and you will be connected with one of our Producers, who will be your contact. On the day they will welcome you to the space and give a short induction for safe usage. If you intend to invite members of the public (more than 10 people as an audience, anyone with access requirements which could prevent their ability to evacuate independently, or non professional artists) in there are some extra plans we will need to make with you about safely welcoming them to the space. 

If your use of the lighting rig is more complicated than the simple set up provided, you will need to cover the cost of one of our technicians to operate the tech at £15 p/hr.

What we expect from guests in Anita’s Room

After the induction you will be responsible for the safe use, cleanliness and tidiness of the space. You will have your own Public Liability Insurance. You will be responsible for the equipment and if using the space after the rest of the building has closed, you will be responsible for locking up and setting the alarm which requires additional training.

We will ask everyone who uses the space to contribute time to future decision making on applications and/or providing feedback and a public record of your time in the space (a paragraph, photo, video etc). We encourage sharing what you are doing in the space on social media so others can see what Anita’s Room makes possible.

Who can apply and how to apply

Any artist or creative with a BN postcode.