For over a decade, the programme from OT has offered a cohort of mid-career playwrights an opportunity to share practice, build networks, gain industry insights, and develop new ideas.

This one-year attachment to the Orange Tree is led by our Literary Associate William Gregory and its Carne Associate Director Georgia Green.

Benefits include:

• Monthly in-person masterclasses and talks with leading writers, directors, agents and other industry professionals; 
• Workshops and support in developing an idea for a new project, with dramaturgical feedback from the Orange Tree's Literary Associate and other members of the team; 
• An opportunity to engage with the broader work of the Orange Tree; 
• Complimentary tickets to all productions at the Orange Tree for the duration of the year;  
• Access to desk space and office facilities at the Orange Tree, and to our large reference collection of published playtexts; 
• A tax-free training bursary of £1000; 
• A final showcase of work in the Orange Tree's main auditorium for an audience of industry guests and the general public. 

The OT Writers' Collective is open to writers and translators who have already had work professionally produced on more than one occasion, and who are now seeking to further develop their creative practice, find wider audiences for their work, and strengthen their position in the current new-writing ecosystem.

OT say this is in part to address the concerns often raised by playwrights of being 'stuck' between having work produced and feeling unable to progress further.

Rather than being an introduction to playwriting programme, the OT Writers' Collective aims to put together a group of writers at a similar stage in their career so that the programme may also function as a network of peer support.

OT Artistic Director Tom Littler says: "The Writers' Collective enriches the life of the OT. The playwrights we meet become well known to the whole team here.

"They are often on the verge of a breakthrough in their careers: their first plays are behind them, but the 'mid career' of a playwright is a very challenging moment.

"We are proud to offer these playwrights something rare in theatre – a home; a community; a source of inspiration.

"Under the stewardship of our Literary Associate William Gregory and our Carne Associate Director Georgia Green, I know this year's Collective will go on a rewarding and enjoyable journey together.

"And I'm delighted that this year's Collective will include a translator – an essential and often overlooked element in the literary scene." 

Timeline:

• Mid-January 2025: Applications open until 10am, Monday 10 February 2025. 
• February 2025: Applications will be assessed. By 01 March 2025 all applicants will be notified whether they have been longlisted or not. Longlisted applicants will be invited to send in a full-length example of their work. 
• March 2025: Shortlisting will take place. By the end of March 2025 all longlisted candidates will be notified whether they have been shortlisted or not. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. 
• Interviews will take place in March or April of 2025 either online or in person at the Orange Tree with a view to the Collective commencing in April or May. 
• We will endeavour to stick to this timeline but, in the event that we are unable to, we will keep all applicants informed of any delays. 

To find out more about the OT Writers' Collective and the application process click here.

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