NEWS: Writers’ Development Scheme @ ARC, Stockon

Don’t despair, aspiring North East playwrights (you may be able to avoid moving to London)! An exciting new scheme has recently been announced by those innovative people over at Arc in Stockton. A group of some of the country’s top writers and theatre makers which make up ARC Writers ARCADE group (Anders Lustgarten, Fin Kennedy, Vivienne Franzmann to name a few) are ready and willing to mentor eight talented up-and-coming writers who manage to get a place on the Writers ARCADE Professional Development Scheme.

The ten month scheme offers professional development opportunities for new writers, invaluable help and advice on scripts and the chance to make contacts outside of the region. There’s also a series of workshops (beginning in January for all would-be playwrights). If you manage to bag a place, by the end of the scheme you’ll be in possession of a finished script and go into rehearsed readings at Arc throughout next May and July.

Anders Lustgarten, playwright and activist is excited about getting the chance to hear voices “outside the metropolitan bubble” Fin Kennedy, co-Artistic Director of pioneering theatre company Tamasha comments that “it’s only right that the UK system of public investment in developing playwrights should be genuinely nationwide.”

To find out more about the ARCADE Writers’ Programme, head to their section on the ARC Stockton website.