The Allen Onyema Artistic
Development Grant
The Allen Onyema Artistic
Development Grant
RMD Stage Lab is a free, professional stage residency administered by MMÉLÌ Arts Foundation.
17 July, 2020
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The Lab supports African theatre practitioners with time, space, and mentorship to develop contemporary stage work rooted in African realities. It is designed for artists ready to deepen their craft, collaborate across disciplines, and advance new or existing stage projects through focused residency support.
Scope
RMD Stage Lab focuses on stage-based theatre practice, supporting creative development across:
Acting
Directing
Playwriting
Producing
Stage management
The Lab prioritises artistic process, experimentation, and collaboration, providing an environment for refining work and strengthening professional practice.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Participants engage in:
Creative labs and masterclasses
Structured mentorship and one-on-one feedback clinics
Access to rehearsal space and basic technical support
Writing rooms and collaborative work sessions
Career-focused sessions on contracts, ethics, governance, and intellectual property
A final curated showing or staged presentation of works-in-progress
STRUCTURE
Format: Cohort-based residency
Delivery: Onsite
Duration: Fixed residency period
Participants: Selected theatre practitioners working in mixed teams
Outcome: Works-in-progress and staged excerpts
M
ELIGIBILITY
The Grant is open to Nigerian artists and cultural practitioners working across disciplines, including but not limited to visual arts, writing, performance, film, curatorial practice, and cultural research.
Applicants must:
Be Nigerian
Demonstrate an active artistic or cultural practice
Show clear relevance between the proposed opportunity and their development goals
COST
Participation in RMD Stage Lab is free.
There are no application or participation fees.
SELECTION PROCESS
RMD Stage Lab is an open application.
Applications are reviewed by MMÉLÌ Arts Foundation. Selection is based on:
Artistic merit and clarity of vision
Relevance of the proposed project to stage practice
Readiness for intensive, collaborative residency work
Commitment to full participation
Only successful applicants will be contacted.
M
ELIGIBILITY
RMD Stage Lab is open to African theatre practitioners, based in Africa or anywhere in the world, who identify as African.
Eligible applicants include actors, directors, playwrights, producers, and stage managers aged 20 and above.
Applicants must:
Identify as African
Be actively engaged in stage-based theatre practice
Demonstrate prior professional or equivalent experience
Be ready to commit fully to the residency period
COST
Participation in RMD Stage Lab is free.
There are no application or participation fees.
SELECTION PROCESS
RMD Stage Lab is an open application.
Applications are reviewed by MMÉLÌ Arts Foundation. Selection is based on:
Artistic merit and clarity of vision
Relevance of the proposed project to stage practice
Readiness for intensive, collaborative residency work
Commitment to full participation
Only successful applicants will be contacted.
