I set up the WriteForTheStage Producing level to help the writers who have attended WFTS Intro and Advanced to get their work off the page and onto the stage for themselves. We cover all of the necessary elements of production - team roles, gathering a team, recruiting, putting a budget together, directing, marketing, and a big part of the course was all about how to get funding, and we support the application writing process. WriteForTheStage Productions has nearly 15 years of production experience, so it has been a great opportunity to share that with new writers.
And I'm very happy to say that in the first year of running WFTS Producing, 2 out of the 3 applications sent got their applications with Arts Council England accepted first time. We're going to rework the other and re-apply soon.
The first piece to receive funding was for the production of Runaway by Richard Stringer which featured in the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival this year to great critical acclaim. This was Richard's first production under his new theatre company, Great Expectations Theatre, supported by WriteForTheStage Productions. Richard developed the script through WFTS Intro, Advanced and Developing levels, so I'm thrilled that this piece finally got its debut performance run. More to come!
And now the second piece to receive Arts Council England financial support is the future production of Marina and the Clone by Richard "RP" Douglas. Richard wrote the script during his second stint in the Advanced course. This is Richard's second stage play - his first was Barbara The Zoo Keeper (available in paperback and Kindle), published by WriteForTheStage Books.
I'm absolutely made-up that another piece of work developed through the WFTS courses is getting out there. Watch this space for more info!!!
Since we started in 2012, WFTS Productions and courses have had a role in the development of 6 full theatre productions, the further supporting of nearly a hundred brand new writers through Development Week, and the publication of five brand new pieces of writing from new writers either developed through the course or through the WriteForTheStage Prize for New Writing during the recent Greater Manchester Fringe Festival.
The next term of WriteForTheStage courses are due to start next week. Places are still available. Check www.writeforthestage.co.uk for more details and to book online.
