New Stages is a Community Interest Company, meaning we are a not-for-profit organisation with a social enterprise approach to all of our work. New Stages Projects CIC is a Community Interest Company registered in England and Wales, company number 13203008.
In October 2017 we launched North Walsham Pop Up People’s Theatre. We celebrated full houses and successful shows, from new writing, cabaret and pantomime in a temporary theatre space in North Walsham.
In 2020, we resurrected Norwich Fringe, to bring the first Norwich Fringe Festival for 8 years back to Norwich. We supported artists, theatre makers and companies develop new work with commissions, a mentoring programme and a platform to share their work. This was during lockdown and therefore our four-day fringe festival was presented online (alongside workshops and mentoring programmes).
In October 2023 we took over the Black Swan and transformed the pub and the old function room into a theatre space – a community space for all. Read more about the Black Swan Pub and Theatre here.
New Stages is under the leadership of our director, Joseph Ballard. Joseph is a professional performer and director with 17 years teaching experience for theatres, clubs and schools. You can read more about Joseph on his own website (click here).
Past partnerships have included MAP (Mancroft Advice Project with What’s Your Story), Anteros Arts Foundation, Town and Parish Councils, The Atrium and Catch 21. Workshops and performances have taken place at our own People’s Theatre, The Atrium, Norwich Puppet Theatre, the Big Screen, London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Open, The Great Hospital and parks and festivals as part of our open-air tours.
Since then the company has grown, with the strong belief that collaborations with other organisations, education providers and other practitioners is the key to rewarding, innovative successful projects.
Click here to email Joseph, our director.
Focus Groups
We hold regular focus groups on community issues, topics or strands of our activity. All are welcome to take part.
The Team
Our teams vary depending on the project, but throughout all current activity we have Joseph (Director of New Stages). All activities are run by professional creative practitioners and all workshop leaders and helpers are DBS checked and have the training and experience of working with the community or young people. The company directors are Joseph Ballard (theatre practitioner and psychotherapist), Barbara Stackwood (retired headteacher) and Dr Khamis Arbid (GP).
How are we funded?
We received no regular funding and we are relying on the Black Swan Pub, which we run as a social enterprise, to generate funds to keep us going!
We are always seeking new partnerships and funding opportunities but most of our activity is supported through self-generated income. This could be through show box office income, fees paid by participants for classes or sponsorship of certain projects or shows, or fund-raising activities. We also rely upon in-kind support from the local community too. You can support us by donating online. Read more
Funding and project partners
North Walsham HAZ Project and North Norfolk District Council
North Walsham Community Shop
Norfolk County Council and Active Norfolk (Big Norfolk Holiday Scheme)
Norfolk County Council and UKSPF
National Lottery Community Fund (Creative Connections, 2022)
Zest Wellbeing (for our wellbeing programmes)
Arts Council England (Norwich Fringe Festival, 2021-22)
You can read our Data Protection Policy here.
New Stages 