NTA Film & TV invites cultural venues, rehearsal studios, arts centres, and creative spaces nationwide to express their interest in partnering on a new pilot initiative - The Rehearsal Room: Space to Rehearse. Time to Prepare.

Expression of Interest: Call for National Cultural & Creative Venues

This programme aims to strengthen connections between venues and filmmakers by supporting independent short and feature film productions with access to affordable rehearsal facilities during pre-production, particularly productions/filmmakers scaling up, regional projects, and those working with limited budgets or access requirements.

The programme is designed not only to support filmmakers, but also to create meaningful opportunities for venues interested in engaging with the screen sector.

What Kind of Venues Can Express Interest?

We welcome Expressions of Interest from:

Arts centres
Theatres
Rehearsal studios
Community arts spaces
Cultural hubs
Multi-disciplinary creative venues

This list is indicative, not exhaustive.

Spaces should be suitable for rehearsal activity and available to host (approx.) three-day bookings during the pilot period. Specific dates will be agreed in partnership with selected venues. This is a national initiative, and venues from all regions are encouraged to apply.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

Creative Development & Technical Preparation

Script read-throughs and table work with cast and creative teams
Scene exploration, character development, and ensemble rehearsal
Planning scene staging and camera blocking
Mapping performer movement to support efficient and safe filming

Inclusive Rehearsal & Access Preparation

Extended rehearsal time for neurodivergent performers or crew
Familiarisation sessions for creatives with access needs
Integration of support workers, interpreters, access or wellbeing facilitators
Integrating rehearsal time to reduce on-set hours and support scheduling for parents, carers, and those with flexible working needs

Safe Scene Development

Rehearsing scenes requiring careful coordination or emotional preparation
Preparing sensitive material or scenes involving intimacy or physical proximity in a structured safe environment

Wellbeing & Production Readiness

Supporting cast and crew to prepare mentally and physically ahead of filming
Improving communication and collaboration across the production team
Troubleshooting so that productions arrive on set safer, more confident, and better prepared

Rehearsal activity will not involve set construction, large technical installations, or high-risk physical activity. All activity will take place within a controlled rehearsal environment and will follow appropriate health and safety and access guidelines.

What Is Involved in Participation:

Selected venue partners will:

Provide space for (approx.) three days of rehearsal per selected production
Work with NTA on scheduling, coordination and marketing
Support on-the-ground venue access and facilitation

NTA Film & TV will:

Lead on marketing, application process and production selection
Manage scheduling in consultation with venues
Cover an agreed percentage (up to 100%) of the venue hire fee
Provide insurance coverage.
Coordinate access requirements and cover associated support costs

Why Get Involved?

Participating venues will:

Contribute directly to the development of emerging screen talent
Support inclusive and accessible filmmaking practices
Build relationships with filmmakers and producers
Gain visibility as a partner in a national screen initiative
Explore potential for longer-term collaboration with NTA

What Is the ‘Rehearsal Room’ Pilot Programme?

NTA Film & TV will partner with up to four venues nationally to provide selected independent film productions with three days of rehearsal space ahead of filming.

The initiative responds to structural barriers that limit participation and preparation in independent filmmaking.

It prioritises support for:

Micro-Budget Productions: Where rehearsal is often cut due to cost. Access to space reduces on-set pressure, strengthens production readiness and supports safer working conditions.
Creatives with Access Needs: Filmmakers and performers requiring adjustments to working methods or environment. Rehearsal enables proactive planning for safe and equitable production.
Neurodivergent Talent: Cast and crew who benefit from structured preparation, familiarisation and breaks. Early rehearsal supports clarity, confidence, reduced stress and supports meaningful inclusion
Parents and Carers Requiring Adjusted Schedules: Filmmakers balancing caregiving responsibilities who require efficient shoot days. Advance preparation supports sustainable working practices.
Productions Integrating Support Workers or Inclusive Practices: Projects embedding access coordinators or inclusive roles. Rehearsal ensures these supports are integrated effectively before filming.
Regional or Rural-Based Filmmakers: Creatives working outside major production hubs with limited access to infrastructure and venues
Diverse or Underrepresented Creatives: Teams developing culturally specific storytelling approaches that benefit from collaborative preparation time.
Irish-Language Productions: Projects requiring additional language rehearsal or dialect preparation.
Intimacy or Sensitivity-Led Productions: Projects involving emotionally complex or intimate scenes requiring consent-led rehearsal and clear communication.
Community-Engaged Projects: Productions involving non-professional or community participants, where structured rehearsal supports safeguarding and confidence.
Physically Demanding Scenes: Ambitious projects involving movement, staged conflict, or complex blocking, where rehearsal improves safety and coordination.
Sustainable Production Practices: Projects seeking to reduce reshoots and inefficiencies through strong pre-production preparation.

By enabling structured rehearsal time in supportive environments, the initiative contributes to safer, more prepared, and more inclusive film sets.

The programme is designed not only to support filmmakers, but also to create meaningful engagement opportunities for venues interested in working with the screen sector.