Top Hat competition
Launching the next generation of outdoor artists
Are you a student at the University of Winchester with a passion for live, outdoor performance?
Our Top Hat Competition is your ultimate launchpad. Run by Play to the Crowd, this unique artist development opportunity empowers students to push creative boundaries, take risks, and design brand-new outdoor performance pieces specifically for the vibrant audiences of Hat Fair.
This is your chance to step out of the lecture hall and onto the streets, showcasing your original work at the UK's longest‑running festival of outdoor arts.
Top Hat 2025 winners with Top Hat judges
© 2025 Stuart Allen
How the programme works
The Top Hat Competition is a deeply collaborative experience designed to support you at every stage of the creative process. Participants receive a comprehensive package of industry-level support:
- Inspiration days: Learn from the best. Take part in dedicated workshops led by established, world‑class outdoor arts professionals.
- Application period: Top Hat Competition applications open for University of Winchester students.
- Expert mentoring: Receive tailored creative support, feedback, and guidance from the in‑house team at Play to the Crowd.
- The festival premiere: Bring your vision to life. Premiere your original work in front of hundreds of festival‑goers at Hat Fair, as well as a panel of influential industry judges.
The grand prize: A year of professional development
The competition doesn't end when the festival closes. Each year, our panel selects one winning group or artist to receive a life‑changing one‑year commission to further elevate their career.
As the Top Hat winner, you will receive:
- Ongoing mentoring: Continuous, year‑long artistic and operational guidance from the Play to the Crowd team.
- Local Creatives masterclasses: Exclusive, bespoke sessions with leading industry professionals to sharpen your business and creative skills.
- A professional commission: Dedicated funding and support to refine, strengthen, and evolve your piece.
- The main stage return: Return to Hat Fair the following year as a fully commissioned professional artist, performing your evolved work alongside top international outdoor performers.
It was great and really confidence‑boosting to have so much faith and praise installed in me and the project
Get ready to take the stage
Whether you are an actor, dancer, musician, or physical theatre creator, the Top Hat Competition is your opportunity to build confidence, gain invaluable industry connections, and make your professional debut. Keep an eye out for application deadlines during the Easter period.
