Nuffield Southampton Theatres (NST) is launching a new writers’ group called NST Writers, as well as an exciting programme for people with ideas to influence and shape the future of culture in Southampton called Self-Starters.
The new writers’ group, NST Writers, in partnership with the award-winning theatre company Up in Arms, will help writers from the South develop their skills for writing or performance.
An actor performing at NST
Together, NST and Up in Arms will deliver a programme of mentoring, masterclasses and script-in-hand readings from some of the best new playwrights to help local writers grow their ideas and find their writing voice.
At the end will be a public showcase, aiming to find at least one writer for NST to employ.
People from all backgrounds and levels of experience are invited to apply to take part in the programme, which will equip them with the skills to plan their own arts events, support other artists in the city and help bring their ideas to fruition.
Barney Norris, Co-Artistic Director at Up in Arms, said:
“We know from our own experience of finding a voice in the theatre how many of the South West’s stories don’t get told. Setting up this programme in collaboration with NST feels like a great way of drawing out more of the life of this region, which gives up its secrets all too guardedly.”
NST is also looking for people with ideas for new arts events in Southampton to join its Self-Starters programme, providing free training, support and guidance to get their ideas off the ground.
Hannah Bevan, NST Studio Producer, said:
“I’m really thrilled that we’ll be partnering with Up in Arms to run the Writers group in the region. It feels this is the right time as we now focus on the new studio space at NST City which will become a hub of fresh, new and exciting work that has a real dialogue with audiences.
There are already loads of people working across the city to make it a vibrant place for culture so it’s fantastic we are enabling more people to realise their projects.”
For more information about either programme or to apply, please visit the NST website.
