Writers' Guild of Great Britain's annual awards for the encouragement of new writing are announced today.
The annual Olwen Wymark Theatre Encouragement Awards are being given today to Deborah Dickinson, Chris Honer, Arthur Stafford, Donald Hutera, Kumiko Mendl, Drayton Hiers, Gavin Stride and Alison Watt in recognition of their support to new writing.
Award organiser and former Chair of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain's Theatre Committee David James said, “the award was set up to make a statement of how important encouragement is, and is based on the simple premise of saying ‘thank you’. Now in its 12th year, it is a bright spot on the Writers’ Guild’s annual calendar.”
The award winners and nominators are:
- Deborah Dickinson, producer—nominated by Emma Hill, for her support developing Emma’s show #ChipShoptheMusical.
- Chris Honer, previously artistic director of Manchester's Library Theatre, and Arthur Stafford development consultant—nominated by Lindsay Williams and Debbie Oates for their work with North West writers and theatre makers initiative the Gap Theatre Project whose production Bridging the Gap won a Manchester Theatre Award.
- Donald Hutera, veteran arts journalist, critic and festival curator—nominated by Lorna V for his support in helping her to reignite her career in theatre as a writer and an emerging actor.
- Kumiko Mendl, artistic director, and Drayton Hiers, literary associate, Yellow Earth Theatre Company—nominated by Joyce Lee for mentoring and supporting her as a playwright.
- Gavin Stride, theatre director, producer, commentator and director of the Farnham Maltings arts centre—nominated by Kevin Dyer for his support of him as a writer.
- Alison Watt, director, writer, actor, and co-founder and artistic director of Scarborough's Beach Hut theatre company—nominated by Jackie Daly for mentoring and supporting her over the past three years.
Mark Ravenhill's 'brainchild', The Olwen Wymark Awards, are named in honour of fellow playwright Olwen Wymark who died in 2013.