After a successful trial in 2021-22, we’re thrilled to reveal our new In-House Artists for 2023 - spoken word artist and musician, AFLO. the poet and writer and theatre-maker Erin Enfys!

Both artists will undertake a year-long residency at Brighton Dome and receive a grant to support the creation of new work. Read on to get to know the new cohort of artists...

AFLO. the poet

‘I’m still struggling to find the words to describe the joy I’m feeling. Artistic expression has given me confidence, self-awareness, endless opportunities and, most importantly, community.’

AFLO. embraces creative expression to disrupt the status quo. AFLO. uses poetry as a vehicle to inspire change and address hard-hitting topics, harnessing her own lived experiences to talk about racism and mental health. As well as performing at protests, festivals and events in Brighton and beyond, AFLO. also offers workshops to encourage creativity as a means of healing, both personal and societal.

On being selected as an In House Artist, AFLO. says: ‘Over the last three years I have projected my voice and message into many corners of this city, in an effort to promote societal change. This residency offers me a base and an artistic home for the year ahead - I can't wait to see what this opportunity brings, and I am excited to share space and opportunities with fellow creatives.’

Erin Enfys

‘I’m beyond excited to be spending my residency at Brighton Dome creating a piece of inherently accessible, community-driven musical theatre for people like me.’

Having originally trained in Musical Theatre at the London College of Music, Erin Enfys has gone on to have a diverse career in theatre, film and musicals. Informed by their own lived experiences as a disabled, neurodivergent and queer non-binary performer, Erin creates compassionate, community-driven work. For Erin, it is vital to provide safe spaces for disabled and neurodivergent representation in musical theatre. Lately, Erin has been working on a musical about an inter-abled, queer Welsh couple living through the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘When I found out I was one of the new In House Artists for 23/24 I instantly burst into tears (happy tears!) and asked if it was real!’, Erin says, ‘ I couldn't be more thrilled, and I'm so grateful that Brighton Dome believes in me and my practice’.

As part of the residency, each artist will also receive mentoring from Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival staff and former In-House Artists. AFLO. and Erin will also play a role in the future of Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival, from helping to shape the programming to supporting artistic planning and strategic direction.

Our In-House Artists will also have access to Anita's Room, a new creative space constructed as part of the refurbishment of Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre, supported by The Roddick Foundation.

‘Brighton has a thriving artist ecology and as we look forward to reopening our Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre, our In-House Artists will help develop new ideas for our audiences, with our support’, says Kyla Booth-Lucking, our Director of Programming & Participation, ‘I can’t wait to hear their ideas!’

Check our blog to find out what our In-House Artists will be getting up to throughout the year.