A free introduction to playwriting course, led by nationally-renowned writer, Tom Wells, for first-time playwrights or those new to the idea of playwriting.
Learn how to write a play from scratch with the Middle Child Writers’ Group, an annual programme with a track record of turning aspiring theatre makers into commissioned playwrights.
You don’t need to have written anything before, you just need to have a few good stories to tell – funny stories, sad stories, tough stories, tender stories – stories we’re eager to see on Hull stages.
How it works
Selected writers take part in a series of five weekly workshops at our new theatre on Humber Street, focused around finding your voice as a playwright.
You will then begin work on a short scene, in your own time, which will receive feedback from Tom Wells and Middle Child literary manager, Matthew May.
These will then be performed in public by professional actors, script-in-hand, at Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival 2026.
Who can apply
This group is for first-time playwrights or those very new to playwriting.
It is open to any individual who is:
A writing group for working class people in Hull and East Yorkshire who want to explore politics, class and community through theatre.
You can be a seasoned writer or have never written anything before - just bring your unique experience and a few stories worth sharing.
How it works
Selected participants will join five weekly reading group sessions at Middle Child’s new Humber Street home, reading and discussing powerful plays by working class writers.
You’ll then take part in five writing workshops, led by five of the country’s leading working class playwrights, offering tools and tips towards developing your own short plays.
The reading group will be facilitated by Middle Child literary manager Matthew May and artistic director Paul Smith, while the writing workshops will be delivered by different writers and hosted together by working class theatre-maker, Rabbey.
Participants will then work on a short scene, with the support of Matthew May, to be performed by professional actors as part of Fresh Ink 2026, our annual playwriting festival in Hull.
Who can apply?
This group is for working class writers of any experience level who wish to explore writing about class.
It is open to any individual who:
A free introduction to playwriting programme for 16–25 year olds from Hull and East Yorkshire.
Thanks to support from the I Am Fund, Middle Child is able to launch No Dress Code: a new programme to increase access to theatre for 16–25 year olds in our region.
This includes a free introduction to playwriting short course, taking place across the February half-term break, led by renowned playwright Lydia Marchant (Mumsy, Eastenders, British Scandal).
Over the course of four days, Lydia will share her writing expertise through practical sessions to learn new playwriting skills, find your voice and write your first ever play, to be performed by professional actors.
These pieces will then be featured at Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival 2026, amongst our wider programme of new plays.
Who can apply?
This free programme is open to any 16–25 year old with a HU postcode.
This course is a perfect introduction to professional playwriting for young people with an interest in theatre, and how plays are made, from first idea to final performance.
Info for young people: Learn what it’s like to work in an iconic venue like the Crucible Theatre or one of Sheffield’s larger arts and cultural organisations. Take part in hands on workshops including public speaking, technical theatre, costume design and writing for stage, and get tips at career themed stalls.
What: Hosted by Sheffield Theatres, this event will focus on what it’s like to work for a larger arts organisation as well as offering an exciting behind the scenes experience of this iconic venue. The programme involves a theatre tour plus workshops covering lighting and sound for stage, costume design, public speaking, writing for stage and visitor experience. Young people will also have the chance to meet a range of other professionals working for creative organisations at career themed stalls. Afternoon session (for school groups only): 11.30am - 2.45pm. Evening session (drop in for young people): 4.30pm-7pm.
Where: Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street S1 1DA
Who: Daytime: Each school can bring up to 20 students from Y7 to Y13; Evening: Young people aged 16-25 - you can come by yourself or with a friend, parent/carer, or support worker.
Paid Scholarship Opportunities with Halifax Choral Society
Thanks to generous sponsorship from VCEP Ltd, Halifax Choral Society is able to offer new choral scholarships in our 25/26 season.
Choral scholarships may suit young singers who are looking to develop their skills and techniques. There will be solo opportunities, for which you will receive coaching from the Artistic Director and Conductor, Anthony Gray. There may be opportunities to develop other skills such as conducting or coaching individual singers or small groups. There is no age limit for the scholarships but we imagine they will suit sixth form, undergraduate or postgraduate students.
Rehearsals take place between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Monday evenings at The Carlton Centre, Harrison Road, Halifax. HX1 2AD. This is conveniently located in the Town Centre, a five-minute walk from Halifax Station.
We ask for attendance at the four main concerts each year, at the final two rehearsals directly preceding each concert, plus 50% of the remaining rehearsals. Scholars are given first consideration for all solos in concerts and, if appropriate, are remunerated on top of the regular termly fee.
Anthony Gray adds: “I ask that the scholars are a strong presence in their part, especially during the note-learning phase.
I have often asked the scholars to take sectionals alongside me, depending on their willingness/ability.
All the scholars are asked to contribute to their section’s ’Vocal MOTs’, our new version of re-auditions, in which myself and the relevant scholar provide feedback and help on aural skills, vocal technique etc. Vocal MOTs begin at 7pm on the relevant part’s weeks, and I always schedule these dependant on the scholars’ availability.”
If you are interested in joining us as a scholar and would like to ask any questions ahead of applying, please e-mail Anthony Gray, Artistic Director and Conductor.
There is no closing date. We will aim to audition and appoint any suitable candidates as soon as applications come in.
University Centre Leeds
Bradford Producing Hub
