P A L

PAL Overview

PAL (Performing Arts Labs Ltd) began in 1989, in a Jacobean manor house in Kent, with three ten-day residential laboratories for writing for theatre, film and opera.

Founded by Nicky Singer and Susan Benn, PAL has grown to become a crucible for cross-fertilisation of ideas and talent in film, media and technology, the visual and performing arts, architecture and in education and science.

As a creative institution PAL is unique in the UK. Its action-based research complements academic endeavours. It offers unparalleled focused, cross-disciplinary opportunities for development. Its 19 years of growth has resulted in a wealth of substance and experience not shared by other organisations.

PAL has an accumulated body of knowledge: To date, PAL has designed and produced 122 Labs for around 3800 talented, practicing writers, artists, scientists, teachers and industry professionals.

PAL Labs are designed to allow radical development and growth. Small groups of carefully selected and exceptionally talented people are brought together to collaborate across disciplines. Imaginations are stretched and creative risk-taking is the norm. Lab participants discover new ways of working and making new work. After an intensive and rigorous Lab experience the process continues with on-line development of ideas and non-residential miniLabs.

New Labs form part of a structured programme: before each programme is launched, a careful research process takes place to identify gaps in provision and needs within different sectors. PAL's Director and sixteen Lab Directors, each of whom is a leading expert in their field, conduct the initial research. In some cases this begins with a three-day colloquium of experts who shape the pilot lab for a new programme.

Pilot Labs test concepts and assumptions of the research and determine the need for further annual Lab programmes, which may continue for many years. The results of each Lab inform the design of the next, as well as the overall programme and policy of PAL.

PAL's work began and continues to thrive in comparatively low-tech areas of the performing arts. Over the last twelve years, the company has gained unique experience in designing Labs which explore the language of code, interactivity and emerging technologies. PAL is committed to developing a full understanding of the grammar of interactivity and the potential of the networked society across all its programmes.

I came up for air, looked around, and thought about the bigger and more difficult questions. Josh Portway - Artist Programmer

Ten years of Labs across a range of disciplines led to the recognition that the Lab model is a powerful catalyst for learning. In 2001 a Labs of Learning programme was launched to invest in the imagination and creativity of teachers, both in and out of the classroom.

Central to PAL's methodology is the breaking down of hierarchies which inhibit collaborative practice and learning. Everyone connected to PAL continually develops strategies to uncover talent in unexpected people and places. Lab participants are identified through industry and academic networks, former Lab participants, open calls via the PAL website and the media. Selection of Lab participants is made purely on the basis of talent and original thinking.

PAL RESEARCH SERVICES offers PAL's methodologies, experience, expertise and talent pool to others on a consultancy and commissioned basis.

PAL INTERNATIONAL creates partnerships with artists and institutions overseas to encourage sustainable development of locally designed and financed Lab programmes. An important part of this initiative is opportunities for residencies and exchanges between artists and scientists from diverse cultures.

I feel as though I have been looking into a room through the front door and somebody has said 'come and look through the window', 'come and look through the back door', 'come and look through the keyhole'. Polly Teale - Writer, Playwrights' Lab

19 Years of Achievement

Click on individual higlighted Labs to see list of participants

All biographical information correct at the time of Labs

1989
Playwrights Lab Pilot

1990
Screenwriters Lab Pilot

1991
Opera and Music Theatre Lab Pilot

1992
Screenwriters Lab

1993
Screenwriters Lab
Opera and Music Theatre Lab

1994
Screenwriters Lab
Opera and Music Theatre Lab

1995
Screenwriters Lab
Opera and Music Theatre Lab

1996
Screenwriters Lab
Opera and Music Theatre Lab
Playwrights Lab: New Writing for Young Audiences Pilot

1997
Screenwriters Lab
Opera and Music Theatre Lab
Playwrights Lab: New Writing for Young Audiences
European Multimedia Lab Pilot