About this website: On the 26th and 27th of November 2009, a group of people came together at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham to begin to answer the question "How do we create a better future for theatre, here, in the West Midlands". This website holds the notes from the sessions held over those two days, and allows anyone (whether they were present at the event or not) to continue the conversations from the event. You can read Alison Gagen's full invitation to the event here

Models of Writer Development: How Does it Feed into Production?

Convenor:

Catherine Edwards

Attendees:

Catherine Edwards Helen Kelly Charmaine Debbie Jo Toye Therese Collins

Description:

Catherine highlighted that the National Theatre of Wales had recently produced a draft new writing policy following consultation with the digital community it has set up.  This includes a list of current models of writer development:

Script Reading Service - falling out of favour?
- Time-consuming, limited value for writer and theatre company
- What’s the alternative?
- Should there still be space for this facility

Helen Kelly said that it was useful for writers with their own processes, who were not used to “pitching” ideas ad hoc. Much better to have a completed draft as evidence of talent/ work

Programme Model
- Eg Rep Attachment Scheme

Lab Model
- Theatres giving time and space to bring writers and artists together to work collaboratively.

Script is looking at running a programme in 2010 – up to 20 writers development and showcase. Different entry levels to target wide range of writers and ways of working
-script reads
-one-to-one script surgeries
-workshops
-pitching

Not one size fits all. Involving regional theatre companies. Scratch performances, works-in-progress.

It was agreed that there is a need for a directory/ website of contacts to enable writers to know what companies are out there and what they are looking for. 

At this stage, Catherine suggested that it might be useful for the group to join the Theatre Birmingham discussion.