Birmingham REP reveals its 19 to watch

Published: 12 January 2013
Reporter: Steve Orme

Birmingham REP's artistic director Roxanna Silbert (centre) with some of the REP Foundry artists Credit: John James

Birmingham REP has revealed the 19 artists who will be part of its new year-long programme, REP Foundry.

The aim is to discover and promote the West Midlands’ most promising writers, directors and theatre-makers who will receive mentoring and professional support from staff at the REP.

The 18 will experience masterclasses with theatre professionals and will have an opportunity to present work-in-progress in front of an audience at monthly scratch performance nights.

The writers are Tom Allsopp (30, Hednesford, Staffs); Emerson Mayes (40, Lichfield); Stephanie Ridings (35, Birmingham); Arvind Thandi (35, Walsall); Alex Townley (35, Solihull); and Joe White (24, Birmingham).

Directors are Clive Judd (26, Worcester); Scott Le Crass (29, Birmingham); Fiona McDonnell (23, Stratford); Anna Murray (21, Birmingham); Monique Sterling (25, Birmingham); and Polly Tisdall (23, Birmingham).

Theatre-makers are Hannah Graham (24, Birmingham); Ed Jaspers of Teasel Theatre Company (33, Birmingham); Amerah Saleh (19, Birmingham); Jo Newman of Tin Box Theatre Company (23, Birmingham); Jo Gleave, also of Tin Box Theatre Company (25, Birmingham); Francesca Millican-Slater (31, Birmingham); and Ben Pacey (36, Birmingham).

Roxana Silbert, the REP’s artistic director, said, “We’ve been overwhelmed by the quality and range of responses to our call for writers and directors for REP Foundry.

“The final 19 that we’ve chosen are some of the most talented emerging theatre-makers from the West Midlands.

“This is an exciting opportunity to throw our doors open and bring in new people with new things to say.

“In many cases the REP will offer them their first chance to see their work on stage.

“We’re looking forward to supporting and developing some exciting and adventurous new work with them.

“Through REP Foundry we’re aiming to forge a generation of theatre-makers who, as the theatre celebrates its centenary, will take us into the next 100 years creating new work for a new era.

“We hope too that with our support and investment these emerging theatre-makers will find their route into the profession and have a career creating memorable and distinctive new work.”

The first REP Foundry scratch performance night will be held on Thursday 28 February at 8PM at the Old Rep Theatre, Station Street, Birmingham.

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