Shropshire-based rural theatre company Pentabus is opening applications for its six-month scriptwriting course for anyone aged between 16 and 30.
Pentabus Young Writers will take place from February until July 2025, with sessions online and in-person at Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
Successful applicants will work with experienced writers, a director and the Pentabus team to develop their writing skills and create their own original short play.
A professional cast and creative team will stage applicants’ plays during the Pentabus Young Writers Festival 2025.
Pentabus Young Writers have gone on to full commissions from the company and have been nominated for Olivier awards. One of them, Florence Espuet-Nickless, was one of five writers commissioned by the National Theatre for a re-telling of The Odyssey in 2023.
Former Pentabus Young Writer Lorna Lennon-Dalziel said, “the help and support I received throughout my experience with Pentabus has been inspiring. It has helped me to gain confidence as a writer and pursue a place at university in a related subject. I’m glad I took this opportunity and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in storytelling.”
Another former Pentabus Young Writer, Tom Price, commented, “I’m extremely grateful for this extraordinary opportunity to be involved in the local writers’ group with Pentabus. The rigorous tutoring sessions and redrafting processes have helped me to elevate my playwriting craft to a much higher standard.”
Applicants for the 2025 programme do not need any playwriting experience. The deadline is Monday 2 December at 9AM. Further information is available at the Pentabus web site.