Works in Progress: Speak Easy
Open mic, open floor. Apply to perform or come and witness fresh new talent, creative workshops and opportunities to connect with fellow young creatives.
This isn’t just a stage – it’s a space to connect through creativity and community.
Hosted by db Captures and Whitey Ngala, and inspired by London’s youth clubs as a place to spotlight emerging talent, this open mic is multi-disciplinary affair showcasing the most exciting voices in music, spoken word and poetry.
Come early for games, crafts and connecting with fellow creatives before the open mic performances kick off.
Artists performing on the night include Abaka Debrah, Amario, Cleopatra, Dahlia Rae, Emmanuelle, Enkay, Idele, Krystal, Luthernist, Nina Hudson, TheSpeakers and Zoiya. Open slots are also available – sign up on the day for the opportunity to perform!
About the artists
The Meltdown Young Producers are a one-off cohort of young creatives from across London. Working together with Boundless Theatre and TCMO collective, they have shaped and curated the night.
The Collective Members Only (TCMO) is a youth-led creative collective redefining networking for multidisciplinary artists aged 18 – 30. By blending nightlife energy with professional opportunities, they create immersive events – from film screenings to DJ sets – where emerging creatives connect, collaborate and thrive.
Boundless Theatre cultivates space for young creatives, creates work with ages 15 – 25 and accelerates the careers of young people in the arts. From their home in Croydon, they work to connect local young people to creative practice across the UK, Europe and the world.
Daniel Oluwatobi, known professionally as db Captures, is an award-winning photographer and videographer celebrated for his compelling storytelling and distinct artistic vision.
Whitney Veniya is a versatile presenter, host, DJ and podcaster with a bold passion for people, music, and culture.
Need to know
This event is free, but ticketed. A number of tickets are available to book on the day of the event from 10am. Seating is unallocated and tickets don’t guarantee entry: admission is on a first-come, first-served basis for those with tickets. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Find our guide on getting to the venue below.
How to find us
Access
This is a Relaxed event; it has a relaxed approach to noise and movement in the space, and you are free to enter and exit during the event. Noise-cancelling headphones are available.
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
All our access information
For your visit
This event is held at the The Clore Ballroom Southbank Centre
The Clore Ballroom is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 10am – 6pm*
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
*If we’re hosting a performance, the building will stay open until the event ends.
Plan your visit
The Clore Ballroom is located inside our Royal Festival Hall on Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
There is step-free access to The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, via a ramp.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Next to The Clore Ballroom is our Ballroom Cafe where you can grab a coffee and a piece of freshly made cake. Also on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.