Are you a playwright based in the South-East, looking to take your next bold step? Whether you’ve written multiple scenes, a short play or drafted something longer, this is your chance to be part of a creative, playwriting community, while working towards developing a full length script in a supportive, professional setting.
“It has given me confidence and a sense of momentum.” — Playwright Cohort Alumni 2026
Led by acclaimed new writing director and dramaturg (former Royal Court Associate Director) *Lucy Morrison, the Playwrights Cohort is a monthly series of in-person sessions designed to give you the structure, insight, and momentum to help you finish a full-length play. You will connect with other playwrights at a similar stage of their careers, in an environment that lends itself towards building a supportive community. The process will culminate in a script-in-hand sharing with professional actors at Chichester Festival Theatre’s The Nest.
Whether your stories are personal, political, poetic. Come as you are. Write what matters to you. We’ll help you bring it to life.
The Playwrights Cohort is in partnership with Theatre Royal Brighton and Chichester Festival Theatre and supported by the Garrick Charitable Trust.
What’s involved?
- Monthly sessions in Brighton, culminating with a sharing at Chichester Festival Theatre’s space, The Nest
- Small group format for in-depth support and conversation
- Monthly sessions led by experienced new writing director and dramaturg, Lucy Morrison
- Develop a play step-by-step with peer feedback, dramaturgy, and writing time
- Culminate with a script-in-hand sharing for an invited audience
- Connections with industry professionals and fellow writers
The Cohort will meet on:
Thursday 21 January, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Theatre Royal Brighton
Thursday 4 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Theatre Royal Brighton
Wednesday 25 March– mid-point check in time tbc, The Old Courtroom, Brighton
Thursday 15 April, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Theatre Royal Brighton
Thursday 20 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Theatre Royal Brighton
Online Readings of scripts with actors: W/C June 14 (on Zoom in the evening)
Script in hand reading at The Nest, Chichester Festival Theatre: Thursday 24 June (whole day and evening)
Please make sure you are available for all of these times and dates before applying.
“It has provided me with a new creative network and community.” — Playwright Cohort Alumni 2026
Who is it for?
This programme is for playwrights living in the South East who have started their journey in writing and are ready to deepen their craft and connections. We would like to hear from writers who perceive barriers in getting their work developed and produced in theatre because of class, disability, education, ethnicity, gender identity, geography or any other barrier. We particularly invite those who may not yet have had access to more traditional theatre pathways and courses, but who have something to say—and the passion to say it on stage.
“It is the first time I feel confident calling myself a writer or playwright.” — Playwright Cohort Alumni 2026
Fees and Access
The programme fee is £100 (this can be paid in installments)
A small number of bursaries places are available
Sessions are held in accessible venues, and we are happy to discuss any access needs
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 7 October and close on Monday 9th November.
Apply by emailing hello@newwritingsouth.com with a short statement about your writing, why you think the cohort is for you and what you hope to get out of it, and a sample of your work written for the stage (up to 30 pages). Please also fill in the equal opportunities form.
See images from the 2026 showcase.
About Lucy Morrison
*Lucy Morrison is a freelance theatre director. She was Associate Director to the Royal Court from 2014 – 23. Prior to the Royal Court, she was Head of Artistic at Clean Break, Associate at the Almeida Theatre and Literary Manager for Paines Plough.
Productions for the Royal Court include: Hope Has a Happy Meal by Tom Fowler, That Is Not Who I Am (Rapture) by Lucy Kirkwood, Scenes with girls by Miriam Battye, The Woods by Robert Alan Evans, Pests by Vivienne Franzmann & Product by Mark Ravenhill.
Other theatre includes: Paradise Lost (co-directed with Ben Duke, Lost Dog Southern tour and BAC); Personal Values by Chloe Lawrence Taylor, Akedah by Michael John O’Neill & The Animal Kingdom by Ruby Thomas (Hampstead Theatre); Elephant by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti (Birmingham Rep); Billy the Girl by Katie Hims, This Wide Night by Chloe Moss (Clean Break/Soho); Little on the inside by Alice Birch (Clean Break/Almeida Festival); it felt empty when the heart went at first but it is alright now by Lucy Kirkwood (Clean Break/Arcola).
Playwrights Cohort is supported by the Garrick Charitable Trust.
