News: New Writer in Residence sought by Live Theatre and Northumbria University

New Writer in Residence sought by Live Theatre and Northumbria University

Northumbria University and Live Theatre have announced a call for applications for their next joint Writer in Residence to work across both organisations from September 2018.

The successful playwright will take part in a dynamic and exciting twelve-month residency, working at both Olivier Award nominated new writing theatre, Live Theatre, and Northumbria University, Newcastle, a Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year Award 2017 nominee with a global reputation for academic excellence.

The successful candidate will receive a £20,000 fee, access to space, resources and equipment, cultural and research networks, and support from academic, creative and professional staff from both organisations. The 12-month residency will allow the writer to develop their own practice, with the potential for a further commission from Live Theatre beyond the residency period, and to share their expertise with communities at both Live Theatre and Northumbria University.

Jim Beirne, Chief Executive Live Theatre, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners at Northumbria University for a third year to offer this unique residency for a writer to work across both organisations, including the possibility of creating a play for Live Theatre. It is an exciting time to join us here at Live Theatre as we welcome our new Artistic Director, Joe Douglas, and have been nominated for our third Olivier Award in two years, an incredible achievement for a new writing theatre located outside of London.”

Steve Gilroy, Director of Performing Arts Programmes, Northumbria University added: “The Writer in Residence is at the core of our creative partnership with Live Theatre and we’re really excited about the possibilities this year, with the arrival of Live Theatre’s new Artistic Director and the prospect of creating a new work in collaboration with Live Theatre.”

The Writer in Residence programme, now in its third year is the cornerstone of an exciting and innovative partnership between Northumbria University, Newcastle and Live Theatre, which began in 2015 to create cultural collaborations that connect with the people of the North East, enhance teaching and learning, inspire new research, and connect academic research with the world of professional theatre.

The first joint Writer in Residence was Paddy Campbell, writer of Live Theatre successes Wet House and Day of the Flymo, and a Northumbria University graduate. He was followed by the former Literary Associate at Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Lindsay Rodden who became Writer-in-Residence for 2017/18.

Potential applicants have until Friday 20 April to apply and for further information, including how to apply see www.live.org.uk/WIR .