programme details

theatre translator mentorship

empowering & supporting
emerging theatre translators

The Foreign Affairs Theatre Translator Mentorship (or FATT, as we like to call it) is a part-time mentoring and workshop programme dedicated to empowering and supporting emerging theatre translators working into English. The aim of the mentorship is to equip participants with the skills and experience to take the next step as theatre translators.

This year’s programme will be delivered in a hybrid format with some workshops and sessions taking place in-person and some online.

Applications close at midnight on Thursday 16 May.

discover more

FA Theatre Translator Mentorship – a page with a quick overview of the programme.

Watch/Rewatch Our Info Session – a recording of our online session

The Journey So Far – a timeline of the programme plus information on previous editions.

Theatre in Translation – more details about our translation work.

How to Apply in 5 Steps

1. Read the programme details carefully to make sure this programme is for you. You can find more details about the programme on this page, and about past editions here.

2. Download and read our application guidelines. This document, available further down on this page, contains detailed instructions and answers to common questions. If you have any further inquiries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

3. Find a play that you want to work on during the programme, and obtain permission to do so. This step may take some time, so we recommend starting early. The guidelines include support on how to obtain permission.

4. Use the application guidelines to draft your application. While you’ll need to fill in our online form, drafting your responses offline can be helpful since you can’t save the application on the portal (Google Forms).

5. Fill in our online form, attach required documents (sample translation and CV), and hit submit. Make sure to have all necessary documents ready before starting the application process.

Programme Overview

Drawing on over a decade of experience in bringing world theatre to local audiences and fostering collaboration with translators, the Foreign Affairs Theatre Translator Mentorship (FATT) offers a comprehensive and collaborative learning journey rooted in a ‘page-to-stage’ process.

The programme is divided into the following phases:

  • Introduction & Translation (July-September 2024): This phase begins with an introductory workshop where participants gain insight into our practice. During this time, participants also work on translating the first draft of their chosen play in preparation for the September readings with actors.
  • Off The Page (September 2024): In this phase, readings with actors and discussions within the team provide insights and feedback on themes central to the participant’s chosen play.
  • Craft Development (October-December 2024): Through practical workshops and mentoring sessions led by our team, participants delve into the craft of translating for the stage. Industry-focused masterclasses with guest speakers expand their knowledge.
  • Onto the Stage (January 2025): Collaborating with actors and directors, participants will contribute to bringing 20-minute extracts of their translations to life. This collaborative process culminates in public showcases at Jermyn Street Theatre, featuring post-show discussions and networking opportunities.
  • Evaluation (February 2025): The programme concludes with an evaluation workshop where we wrap up the programme and provide participants with support and guidance for their next steps in their professional journey.

Our Approach

The programme provides a comprehensive and impactful experience, training a small cohort of emerging theatre translators to become professionals in the field.

The mentorship combines a structured programme with personalised guidance. We tailor workshop activities and themes to fit the needs of each participant and the cohort as a whole. This participant-centred approach fosters a dynamic learning environment for experiential learning.

What sets our mentorship apart is the collaborative mentorship model: participants receive guidance from the Mentor Team, a collective of professional theatre-makers and translators. This team combines Foreign Affairs’ practice with individual expertise, offering diverse insights and experiences to support participants’ growth and development.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career in theatre translation and be proficient in both English and their source language.

The programme is designed to train a small cohort of emerging theatre translators, and we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including:

  • Professional translators with limited or no prior theatre experience.
  • Recent graduates with a background in translation studies.
  • Theatre practitioners with language skills interested in expanding their skills to include translation.

Successful Applicants Have Included:

  • Professional translators (commercial and literary) with little or no experience in translating for the stage.
  • Postgraduate and PhD students in translation studies.
  • Multilingual theatre practitioners with some translation experience.

Past participants have also included non-native/L2 translators (English isn’t their first language), so please apply if this describes you!

We’re Especially Eager to Hear From:

  • Applicants from the global majority and/or people who identify as first or second-generation migrants.
  • Applicants working from smaller languages and/or underrepresented language groups not typically seen on the UK stage.

Hackney Mentorship Place:
As a Hackney-based migrant-led company, we value the importance of heritage languages. A spot is reserved for a local Hackney resident with a heritage language prevalent in the borough, who meet the eligibility requirements.

Please Note: This programme is for individuals interested in becoming professional theatre translators. It is not suitable for those solely interested in seeing a particular piece of work staged.

Cost

Thanks to the generous funding from Jerwood Foundation, this edition of the Mentorship is entirely free for successful applicants.

In addition to the free programme, we’re able to support participants with a bursary of £1,100 each. This bursary can be used to cover travel, related expenses and help compensate for the time dedicated to the programme.

Where

This year’s programme will be delivered in a hybrid format with some workshops and sessions taking place in-person and some online. Please see the schedule for full details.

In-Person Sessions/Workshops:
Rose Lipman Building
43 De Beauvoir Road
London, N1 5SQ

Some workshops might take place in a nearby venue; participants will be informed in advance.

Online Sessions:
All online sessions and workshops will be delivered using Google Classroom and Google Meet, with Google Drive for file sharing. Please note, we’ll use WhatsApp for community building.

If these digital tools are new to you, please don’t worry. We’ll provide support for any assistance you may need.

Before applying, please ensure that your internet connection is reliable and that you have access to a computer with a working camera, microphone and speaker. These tools are essential for participating in the online components of the programme.

When

Participants are expected to take part in the following scheduled activities, without exception!

Dates for the readings will be confirmed in conversation with participants. Showcase dates, along with rehearsal dates, will be confirmed by September 2024. Times for Masterclasses will also be finalised in conversation with participants to accommodate the cohort’s working hours (whenever possible).

Intro & Welcome Day:
Thursday 11 July, 10:30-16:30 (In-person)

Reading Sessions #1:
Monday 9 – Friday 13 September
Monday 16 – Friday 20 September (Times arranged with participants, Online)

Workshop #1:
Saturday 5 October, 10:30-16:30 (In-person)

Industry Masterclass #1:
Thursday 17 October (Times tbc., Online)

Workshop #2:
Saturday 9 November, 10:30-16:30 (Online)

Industry Masterclass #2:
Thursday 21 November (Times tbc., Online)

Workshop #3 & Reading #2:
Saturday 7 December, 10:30-17:30 (In-person)

Industry Masterclass #3:
Thursday 16 January (Times tbc., Online)

Part-Time Rehearsals:
Monday 20 – Sat 25 January or
Mon 27 January – Sat 1 February (Dates & times tbc., In-person/Online)

Showcases:
Monday 20 – Sun 26 January or
Mon 27 January – Sat 2 February (Two dates, tbc., In-person)

Evaluation Session:
Thursday 6 February, 10:30 – 13:30 (Online)

Monthly Online Catch-Ups:
We’ll host online monthly catch-ups every first Monday of the month.

The times for these will also be finalised in conversation with participants to accommodate the cohort’s working hours (whenever possible).

Apply Now

Download our Application Guidelines: This document includes application form questions, allowing you to draft your responses in a separate document before adding them to our online form.

application guidelines

Apply via our online form: Please note that you will not be able to save your progress, so ensure that you have prepared everything in advance (see guidelines).

application form

Applications close at midnight on Thursday 16 May.

Watch Our Online Info Session