Professional development programme for disabled, d/Deaf and Neurodivergent playwrights and script writers

We are delighted to announce the launch of the second round of Wellspring, our professional development programme for London-based disabled, d/Deaf and Neurodivergent playwrights and script writers, supported by City Bridge Trust.

Through a series of training sessions led by renowned disabled writers, playwrights and directors, as well as theatre venues’ professionals and peers, and mentoring, Wellspring will provide eight participants with tools and skills to build confidence and foster connections with UK’s theatre sector, in a safe and supportive environment.

The programme will be delivered in partnership with Paines Plough, Bush theatre, Soho Theatre and Theatre503.

Applications open from Monday 6 March and close on Thursday 6 April 2023 at 12 midday.

Wellspring will support 8 London-based disabled, d/Deaf or Neurodivergent writers and playwrights.

Participants will take part in a training course of creative writing; covering character, plot devices and development, tools of inspiration, language and other technical skills essential to writing a script. The training workshops will run from May to July 2023. There will be a combination of online workshops (on Zoom) during weekdays, usually Wednesday evenings (from 6pm), and sessions taking place at partnering theatres, usually on a Saturday from 10am to 5pm. We expect participants. to commit to attending all sessions. The exact timings for each training workshop will be confirmed in advance.

The workshops will be delivered by renowned disabled writers, playwrights and directors, as well as theatre venues’ professionals and peers.

Participants will then be offered a period of one-to-one mentoring by Vital Xposure and partner organisations to support them to develop and write a script (September – November 2023)

A showcase of script excerpts from all of the writers will be presented at Soho Theatre as part of a rehearsed reading to peers and industry partners (January 2024).

Who can apply?

Wellspring is for theatre writers and playwrights who identify as disabled, d/Deaf or Neurodivergent.

You must be 18 years old or over and based within Greater London in order to be eligible for the programme.

You do not need to have written for theatre before and if you have, that is absolutely fine!