Since we opened the Shop Front Theatre in 2009, experimenting with narrative and text has been central to our own vision at Theatre Absolute and this has resulted in some fabulous new work and relationships with writers and artists from all disciplines.
For 2022, we are proud to be able to offer the following two paid residency opportunities for writers, thanks to a wonderful donation to the company.
We are offering TWO separate residencies for Coventry and West Midlands based professional writers looking to explore and develop narrative/text for performance. Writers may be early, mid or late career. (However you define yourself!)
Each writer-in-residence will have exclusive access to our space and equipment at the Shop Front Theatre in Coventry for a week in either March or September 2022.
In the spirit of Theatre Absolute’s own work, we will be excited by ideas that feel fresh, relevant and robust in exploring a 21st century experience. How time is used can be determined by the writer. They will have time to develop, explore or progress ideas, this might be mapping out a whole structure of a new work, or focused time on particular scenes, or just taking time to sit, think and research a new piece. We ask only that the working process is documented so we can share these unique residencies with others.
In addition to the residency, each writer will be supported where needed/if required with dramaturgical input from Theatre Absolute’s writer and Artistic Director, Chris O’Connell.
We will award a bursary of £1000 to each of the writers for their residency week. We can also support reasonable travel costs if required.
Writers interested in applying are asked to submit a page outlining how they would use this time and what the genesis of their idea is, or if the time is to be spent working on some writing already in progress, what that might be.
Additionally, please submit a biography (500 words max.).
Dates for residencies are: March and September 2022. Please indicate which residency period is preferred. Exact dates will be mutually agreed with the writer and company. Deadline for applications is Wednesday 2nd February 2022. Contact Julia in advance if you would like to submit a short video application instead. Please send applications to: Julia@theatreabsolute.co.uk
Have a look at the rest of our work and the Shop Front Theatre: theatreabsolute.co.uk
If you know anyone who may not follow Theatre Absolute at present who would benefit from hearing about this opportunity please do help us by sharing it with them. Many thanks.
Images taken at the Shop Front Theatre by Andy Moore.
