Traverse Theatre kicks off 2021 with First Stages Festival
The Traverse is excited to kick off its 2021 programming with its biggest ever series of creative development activity with its First Stages Festival.
Article Source: Traverse Theatre
Last Updated: 28 January 2021 14:18
TRAVERSE THEATRE KICKS OFF 2021 WITH FIRST STAGES FESTIVAL - ITS BIGGEST CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT EVENT EVER
• Exclusive workshops and Q&As with acclaimed writers and theatremakers including Ella Hickson, Simon Stephens, Hannah Lavery, Enda Walsh, Nessah Muthy, Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse
• A new, free to access, four-part guide to playwriting from Crocodile Fever playwright, Meghan Tyler
• Readings from Open Submissions writers, now in development with the Traverse, including Dipo Baruwa-Etti, Serafina Cusack, Michael John O’Neill, Emilie Robson and Isla van Tricht
• Daily creative prompts aim to ignite new ideas and shake up ways of thinking
• £1 tickets available for all ticketed events for those on government benefits and allowances
The Traverse is excited to kick off its 2021 programming with its biggest ever series of creative development activity with its First Stages Festival.
First Stages Festival is a celebration of the Traverse’s commitment to nurturing and supporting new voices, and expanding the skills of new and experienced creatives with the ambition of producing ever more transportive and meaningful experiences for audiences. This year’s First Stages Festival offers a wide range of interactive workshops, Q&As, readings and creative prompts for first time writers to seasoned theatremakers.
Every event in the programme will be open for anyone in the world to participate in.
Highlights include live focused workshops with writers Ella Hickson (on how to tackle big ideas), Hannah Lavery (on writing from autobiography), Nessah Muthy (on writing for a digital landscape), Simon Stephens (on generating material and developing characters), Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse (on creating work in and for a community), and a special Q&A session with Enda Walsh during which participants will be able to ask the internationally acclaimed theatremaker their most pressing questions.
Crocodile Fever writer Meghan Tyler will be presenting an on-demand and free-of-charge four- part workshop for first-time writers, ANYONE CAN WRITE A PLAY, and each weekday a creative prompt will be released to shake up ways of creative thinking and ignite exciting new ideas.
Rounding off the Festival will be a showcase of 3 livestreamed readings from writers who submitted their work to the Traverse’s 2019 Open Submissions initiative, and who have been working with the Traverse’s Literary Associate, Eleanor White, over the past year to develop their scripts. The writers are Dipo Baruwa-Etti, Serafina Cusack, Michael John O’Neill, Emilie Robson and Isla van Tricht, with the readings directed by the Traverse’s Co-Artistic Director, Gareth Nicholls, and Co-Artistic Director Designate, Debbie Hannon. Each reading will be followed by a Q&A with the writers, hosted by acclaimed playwrights including Douglas Maxwell, through which audiences can contribute to the future development of the pieces.
A limited number of £1 tickets will be available for all ticketed events, available to those in receipt of government benefits and allowances.
Traverse Theatre Literary Associate, Eleanor White, says:
“I am thrilled that the Traverse is beginning the year with First Stages Festival - a celebration of creative development and dynamic new voices. Supporting writers in developing their craft is one of the Traverse’s fundamental commitments, and we’ve continued this work in earnest over the past year. This programme of workshops, Q&As and readings is designed to generate conversations about creative writing and new ways of thinking about theatre - where established artists, aspiring creatives, and audience members can come together, get involved, expand their creative horizons and plot a course forward together. We’re particularly delighted to be share with the world readings from five form-pushing, thought-provoking plays currently in development - and to invite the input of our audiences into the future of these pieces, an exchange that’s vital to the theatrical process.”
The full First Stages Festival programme can be found at traverse.co.uk/whats-on/traverse-festival
LISTINGS INFORMATION
First Stages Festival
Mon 1 – Sun 28 Feb
Various dates and times
A limited number of £1 tickets will be available for all ticketed events, available to those in receipt of government benefits and allowances.
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
The hoppiest time of the year at the National Trust For Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April!
READ MORE
Nitten residents encouraged to dig for victory
Residents of a Midlothian village are being encouraged to roll up their sleeves and start sowing and growing ahead of the return of a historic garden competition this summer.
READ MORE
Cold Town Beer named sponsor of Neighbourgood outdoor summer food and drink market
Edinburgh craft brewer Cold Town Beer has been selected to be official sponsor of Neighbourgood, the open air artisan food and drink market that returns to the city’s Stockbridge area this summer.
READ MORE
Leith restaurant campaign is a Shore thing for Edinburgh waterfront
Some of the biggest names in Scottish hospitality have come together for the first time to showcase Edinburgh’s waterfront in Leith as Scotland’s premier dining destination.
READ MORE
Pantry opens its doors in Bruntsfield with 50 free breakfasts
Edinburgh’s iconic brunch destination, Pantry, is opening its second location in Bruntsfield and to celebrate it is offering 50 free breakfasts split between Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd April.
READ MORE
Top comedian and Scottish brewer team up in search of best Scottish banter for upcoming book
Innis & Gunn joins forces with top Scottish comedian Marc Jennings to find Scotland's funniest pub stories for 'The Book of Pub Banter & Confessions'.
READ MORE
Theatre production brings Burns to life
The National Trust for Scotland and theatremaker James Clements are collaborating on the Burns Project, a new theatrical production inspired by the life and works of Robert Burns.
READ MORE
Spring into gardening: Dobbies free April workshops
Garden Centre invites gardeners to get hands-on with wildflowers and springtime celebrations.
READ MORE
JADE and Myles Smith join TRNSMT 2025 lineup
Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has revealed five new artists to the Glasgow Green billing, including two of the hottest UK acts right now, JADE and Myles Smith!
READ MORE
Forever Edinburgh offers mums the chance to win fantastic Mothers Day treats
Forever Edinburgh is giving Edinburgh mums (and their children) the tools to create the perfect Mother's Day through fantastic rewards and a competition with unforgettable Mother's Day presents.
READ MORE
LEGO Edinburgh Store Hosts Free Creativity Workshops
The LEGO® Edinburgh store will be participating in an upcoming event series, offering free in-store workshops designed for young creators aged 6-12.
READ MORE
UK wide award celebrates exemplary accessibility at the National Galleries of Scotland
The National Galleries of Scotland celebrates being shortlisted for the Visitor Accessibility Award 2025 at the prestigious Museum + Heritage Awards.
READ MORE
Easter Adventures at Lost Shore Surf Resort
With Easter approaching, families across the UK and abroad seek memorable ways to spend the long weekend, and Lost Shore Surf Resort offers an exciting escape.
READ MORE
Cruden Supports Midlothian Community with Donation to Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust
Leading Scottish housebuilder, Cruden, has made a £2,000 donation to the Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust (MAEDT) in support of community projects under its Newbyres site.
READ MORE
Rainbocorns letter hunt in Smyths Toys Stores this April!
Smyths Toys is hosting the official Rainbocorns Easter Letter Hunt giving kids the chance to hunt down the letters instore and unscramble the word to receive a FREE 8cm Rainbocorns Eggzania Baby Mania
READ MORE
Explore the Rwandan mountains during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo
A brand-new virtual reality experience has launched at Edinburgh Zoo, giving visitors the chance to explore the mountains of Rwanda and observe a family of mountain gorillas.
READ MORE
Doors to historic sites across Scotland set to open next month
More than 30 historic seasonal sites across the country will reopen to visitors from Tuesday 1st April, as Historic Environment Scotland marks the start of its spring/summer season.
READ MORE
Edinburgh STYLE returns to St James Quarter
Edinburgh STYLE returns to St James Quarter from Friday 28th - Sunday 30th March, bringing three days of fashion, beauty, and exclusive experiences to the heart of the capital.
READ MORE
Theatrical screenings take centre stage at Vue this spring
To coincide with World Theatre Day this Thursday (27 March), Vue venues in Scotland are bringing a selection of British productions to the big screen this spring.
READ MORE
500 plants up for grabs at Fort Kinnaird this weekend to celebrate Mothers Day
Fort Kinnaird is celebrating Mother’s Day by offering shoppers the chance to pick up a beautiful houseplant for free on Saturday (29th March).
READ MORE
The Scottish Gallery presents Victoria Crowe Decades
For Edinburgh Art Festival 2025, The Scottish Gallery presents Victoria Crowe Decades, celebrating the artist’s 80th year.
READ MORE
Get the inside scoop on the Edinburgh International Festival this weekend
On Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March, a large yellow ice cream van will be stationed outside the Usher Hall to give audiences a flavour of the 2025 Festival programme.
READ MORE
Timorous Beasties bring bold design to St James Quarter ahead of Edinburgh Style 2025
Internationally acclaimed design studio, Timorous Beasties is delighted to be part of Edinburgh STYLE taking place between 28-30th March in St James Quarter.
READ MORE
A Summer of Resistance at the National Galleries of Scotland
National Galleries of Scotland announces the unmissable summer 2025 exhibition Resistance, conceived by acclaimed artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen.
READ MORE
Scottish youth hostelling charity launches initiative reviving funded breaks for disadvantaged young people and families
An organisation that runs youth hostels across Scotland is launching an initiative to provide free stays for disadvantaged young people and families.
READ MORE
Giant Lanterns to make long awaited return to Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo’s award-winning Giant Lanterns event is back this winter for the first time in six years.
READ MORE
Galactic Carnival Edinburgh set to land at West Side Plaza this May!
Get ready, Edinburgh! A brand-new, out-of-this-world experience is arriving this spring as Galactic Carnival Edinburgh makes its debut at West Side Plaza, Wester Hailes, from 2nd May to 25th May!
READ MORE
Edinburgh restaurant adds massage therapy to Mothers Day menu
An Edinburgh restaurant is adding a pop-up massage experience to its Mother’s Day menu to help pamper the city’s mums on Sunday 30th March.
READ MORE
TRNSMT reveals 18 big dance acts for Glasgow Green
BBC Radio 1 Dance is taking over the much-loved Boogie Bar to bring some of the best dance music to Glasgow Green this summer on 11-13th July!
READ MORE
UB40 ft. Ali Campbell brings legendary vibes to Kelpies Live at Helix Park
UB40 ft. Ali Campbell are set to light up Falkirk as part of Kelpies Live at Helix Park, marking a triumphant return to Scotland for one of music's most iconic acts.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links