New Writing South: Playwrights Cohort 2026
The Playwrights Cohort is now complete, ready to begin in the new year. Watch this space for further information.
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 develop a full-length script in a supportive, professional setting.
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 workshops designed to give you the structure, insight, and momentum to help you finish a full-length play. The process will culminate in a script-in-hand sharing with professional actors.
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.
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. 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.
What’s involved?
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Monthly sessions in Brighton, either at Theatre Royal Brighton or The Old Courtroom, culminating with a sharing at Chichester Festival Theatre’s space, The Nest
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10.30am – 12.30pm, beginning on Thursday 22 January (full dates below)
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Small group format for in-depth support and conversation
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Led by experienced new writing director and dramaturg, Lucy Morrison,
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Develop a play step-by-step with peer feedback, dramaturgy, and writing time
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Culminate with a script-in-hand sharing for an invited audience
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Connections with industry professionals and fellow writers
Thursday 22 January, 19 February, 19 March- mid-point check in, 16 April, 21 May, Wednesday 17 June – script in hand reading at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Fees and Access
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The programme fee is £100 (this can be paid in installments)
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A small number of bursaries places are available
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Sessions are held in accessible venues, and we are happy to discuss any access needs
How to apply
Applications are now open, with ten places available. To be considered for one of them, apply by 6PM, Monday 10th November.
Apply by emailing hello@newwritingsouth.com with a short statement about why you think this supported experience is for you, your writing, what you hope to get out of the cohort, and a sample of your work written for the stage (up to 30 pages). Please also fill in the equal opportunities form.
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.