We’re launching a new nationwide writer development programme in 2023 and we want to connect with storytellers and creatives with an interest in writing for stage and performance.

We’re excited to be launching a new nationwide writer development programme in partnership with leading theatres across the country. This programme will look to create a nationwide network of writers, storytellers and creatives with ongoing support, development and mentoring from us and our partners.

We’re launching this programme with an Open Writer’s Lab at each of our partner venues where you’ll get to meet the team, connect with each other, and begin your Paines Plough development journey.

You can meet us on the following dates (with more to be added soon).

25 February 2023 – Theatre Royal Plymouth

11 March 2023 – New Theatre, Peterborough

18 March 2023 – Mercury Theatre, Colchester

1 April 2023 – Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple

15 April 2023 – Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

This will be the first in a series of offers from Paines Plough and our partners, so do not worry if you can’t attend, there will be more to come!

We want to connect with anyone that writes, wants to write or has never considered writing before. We’re looking for poets, authors, musicians and storytellers in all their forms. If you’ve got an interest in writing for stage and performance, then we want to meet you.

We particularly want to hear from under-represented voices within the industry. Over the past year, Paines Plough has produced work with people who identify as Black, South Asian, trans, disabled, queer, gay, neurodivergent, and more. But there is more to do. We want to keep creating brave and bold spaces for voices we don’t often hear from to tell stories that aren’t often heard.

If you think that’s you, then get in touch. You don’t need any prior experience, just a desire to tell a story.

The session will run for a full day (eight hours) and will allow you to meet the Paines Plough team and the team in your local theatre. We will also have guest facilitators to run a creative writing workshop. Finally, we’d love to hear back from you, the writers and storytellers, on what you’d like to see from a new development programme.

If you have any access requests to help you better participate in sessions, please let us know