New writing season - the meeting

Posted by Alex Chisholm at 30 January 2012

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Thanks to all who made it to the meeting on Saturday. And thanks to the others who tweeted in or followed us on the day. For those who couldn't make it in person or online, here is a brief overview. We were 25 writers, directors, dramaturgs and actors. After a short(ish) introduction, the group decided to discuss the following questions/issues:

What do theatres think writers need to know to be successful?

Can we construct specific schemes for younger/older writers?

What are the pathways for new writers? how can they be supported?

What forums can be created to bring writers and artists together?

How can WYP support organisations like Script Yorkshire?

New writing vs new work? Getting rid of the distinction between them.

The topics were suggested by members of the meeting and people nominated themselves to discuss them - people gravitated to the group that interested them and moved between the groups over 45 minutes of discussion.

I won't here capture all the points that were raised - I'll try to get it all typed up and you'll be able to download it for your own delictation. The main themes that came out for me were:

I'm taking away all that was discussed and will mull over it this week and come back with some suggestions of things we can try out as part of new writing season. Please do keep sending in thoughts and suggestions - it is all welcome. Jonathan Hall sent in his thoughts which I felt captured a lot of what was said on the day. You can read it here. Feel free to comment below or email me at the usual address literary@wyp.org.uk

The conversation continues....

Comments

  1. jeff alexander

    Very topical: http://apps.facebook.com/theguardian/stage/theatreblog/2012/feb/01/theatre-ageism-playwrights-over-30?fb_source=other_multiline&fb_action_types=news.reads

    DATE POSTED: 05/02/2012

  2. Rain

    Thanks for creating this forum. it was great to meet up on the day with new contacts and with people I'd met previously, and it was a valuable exercise overally. As a new writer, I appreciated the opportunity to talk to non-writers about what they are looking for in new writing. I thought the discussion about payment was useful and interesting. Good that WYP has its ethical hat on straight in not exploiting writers, actors etc, but there does need to be some wriggle room around the issues of community, development and education, so that new writers can hone their skills in order to reach a pay-worthy level!

    DATE POSTED: 06/02/2012

  3. Andrew Crowther

    I'm very sorry I wasn't able to attend the meeting--it sounds as if it was very positive and productive. I feel very strongly that the West Yorkshire Playhouse should reflect the culture, ideas and voices of Yorkshire (sorry, that sounds bleeding obvious). But that means fostering local talents, allowing that distinctive Northern voice to be heard, in a way that I don't think has always happened in the past. The things I want to suggest have already been suggested, but I think the really important thing is to make sure writers have real platforms for the performance of their work--both in small groups for fellow artists, and in "showcase" settings for the entertainment of real people. These don't need to be expensive to put on--even script-in-hand without sets can be a powerful theatrical experience--and could be extremely productive in discovering new voices.

    DATE POSTED: 09/02/2012

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