festival submissions
Applications Currently Closed
5 & 6 SEPTEMBER 2025
Side/Step is an interdisciplinary arts festival for new, bold work.
Our 2nd edition is taking over COLAB Tower
the programme
We aim to bring together artists who are pushing the boundaries of their disciplines. Utilising non-traditional spaces, we welcome work that steps out of whatever ‘traditional’ means to you. Whether that’s writing your first play or trying something different in your own practice. Side/Step is a laboratory for bold artists, a place for us to try something new, a place for us to gather and connect.
Our programme is dependent on you! Side/Step is a multidisciplinary festival, meaning we welcome work from all artistic disciplines. Alongside our focus on new pieces of theatre, we will host a short film screening, workshops, pop up art installations, and a mixture of works in progress to finished performances.
Side/Step operates on a 60/40 box office split in favour of the artist.
The Space
COLAB Tower is a venue by Southwark Bridge (nice and central!) mainly designed for immersive theatre. Focusing on bold, interactive storytelling, COLAB redefines live performance by blurring the lines between audience and actor.
We welcome interactive work but are not limited to immersive forms.
The Tunnels - Two intimate and atmospheric railway arch tunnels.
The Studio - A generously sized rehearsal room style space.
The Basement - A corridor with a two off-shooting spaces. Perfect for projects that can utilise multiple spaces.
The Vault - A small room perfect for intimate projects or installations. Capacity of about 6.
The Gold Bar - A larger and more public space. Includes a small stage. Perfect for live music and cabaret acts.
SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFO ON SPACES
Please note, this festival takes over non-traditional spaces that are not designed to be theatres or cinemas. It is a pop-up event. We encourage submissions to think outside the box and use this as a creative challenge. The seating arrangement can also be discussed. We may not be able to accommodate many set pieces.
If you plan to apply but have additional tech requirements, do get in touch at sidestepfestival@gmail.com to see if there’s anything we can work out.
AVAILABLE SPACES
The Tunnels
COLAB has two identical tunnels.
Approximate dimensions: 18.5m x 3.8m with a ceiling height of 2.5m at the highest point.
The space has overhead fluorescent lights and a couple of plug sockets.
The entrance to the tunnels is directly from the COLAB courtyard, which is a public space. Because of this there may be some sound bleed from outside.
Approx. capacity: 25
The Studio
The Studio is a generously sized and almost square rehearsal/meeting room type space.
Approximate dimensions: 8.3m x 7.4m with a ceiling height of 2.8m.
There are overheard fluorescent lights and a few plug sockets, as well as six general wash LED lights hung from one crossbar (as seen in the second photo). The crossbar can be moved but the lights cannot be taken off. Please note we will not have a technician on sight so groups that want to use the lights may have to wok with their own technician.
The room does not currently black out.
Approx. capacity: 30
The Basement
The basement is a short corridor with two off-shooting spaces almost opposite each other.
Approximate dimensions:
Carpeted room - 4.18m x 7m
Storage room - 4.7m x 8.5m. The storage racks in the video will be removed and this will be an empty space.
The basement has overhead fluorescent lights that cannot be turned off and limited plug sockets.
Projects programmed in The Basement will have access to both room so we encourage submissions that can use multiple spaces.
Approx. capacity: 40
The Vault
The Vault is a small room near the bar area that can be used as performance and installation space. Photos and dimensions coming soon.
Approx. capacity: 6
The Gold Bar
This is the main, public area of the COLAB Tower. The bar will be in use for the duration of the festival.
Approx. capacity: 60