Writers East 2025: Open Call for Working Class Playwrights

Actors East is now accepting applications for the second edition of Writers East, a free playwriting programme for working class writers.

Who We're Looking For

We’re looking for storytellers. People who are curious about how humans behave, how we love, fall apart, and survive. You don’t need experience. You don’t need a script. You just need an idea and a desire to write.

This opportunity is open to anyone who identifies as working class. We know that’s a broad definition — we trust you to self-identify.

We define first-time playwrights as those who have not yet had a full-length play professionally produced.

How It Works

The programme is completely free to enter and attend.

We’ll begin by selecting 16 applicants for an Assessment Week at Actors East, taking place in the second week of May 2025.

During that week, participants will:

• Take part in a storybuilding-through-improvisation workshop, where a group-generated story is developed and tested with actors, then rewritten individually by each writer.

• Attend a series of cultural outings — to the cinema, theatre, and museums — followed by group discussion.

• Conclude with a one-on-one session.

From this group, 8 writers will be invited to continue on to the full 10-week development course, running twice weekly through May–July 2025.

Over the 10 weeks, you’ll:

• Write a new one-act play from scratch

• Work with professional actors and directors in regular workshops

• Receive one-on-one support from dramaturgs and mentors

• Develop your work toward a script-in-hand reading in front of a public audience at Playhouse East

We’re also applying to Arts Council England for funding to support full productions of the finished plays (subject to confirmation).

Key Dates

• Deadline to apply: End of the third week of April 2025

• Applicants notified: Thursday of the following week

• Assessment Week: Second week of May 2025

• 10-week course begins: Late May 2025

How to Apply

We don’t want your bio. We don’t need your CV.
This is a blind submission process — we’re only interested in your ability to tell a story.

To apply, send us:

• An idea for a play, no more than half an A4 page (around 250 words)

• Tell us what it’s about, what excites you about it, and why you want to write it

That’s all.

What We're Looking For

✅ Character-driven stories
✅ Work rooted in emotional truth
✅ Plays about people — how they connect, fracture, and change
✅ STORY. STORY. STORY. Just tell us that.

What We're Not Looking For

❌ Overtly political or religious plays
❌ Work driven by messaging or ideology over story