Theatr Gen Creu is a new initiative that supports talent, develops theatre craft and offers unique opportunities to artists in Wales with the aim of:

• developing and presenting a variety of new theatre works in the Welsh language that are of a high standard
• nurturing Welsh-language theatre artists for the future.

In 2018, Theatr Gen Creu’s programme will include:

• Productions of works by two new playwrights
• Presentations of works-in-progress
• Training and mentoring opportunities

As part of the company’s commitment to nurture new talent, and to provide opportunities for professional development in the field of Welsh-language Theatre, we have created two new schemes for this year, namely Awenau: A Mentoring Scheme for Directors and Theatre-makers, and Grŵp Awduron Newydd (New Writers’ Group)/ We have also joined forces with The Other Room, Cardiff’s pub theatre, to offer a unique opportunity for Welsh-language female playwrights. We are now calling for applications for our New Writers’ Group, details below:

NEW WRITERS’ GROUP

The New Writers\’ group is a unique opportunity for up to 8 new or emerging theatre writers to develop their craft through a series of events, workshops and mentorship over a period of 10 months. The aim of the New Writers’ Group is to nurture future talent in Welsh-language theatre writing, and to enable new and diverse voices to flourish. The project will also help those individuals to develop their craft as they create new work for the theatre in Welsh.

The New Writers’ Group is open to writers of every age and from all parts of Wales and beyond – people who are eager to explore, experiment and develop their craft. Maybe some will be experienced writers in other media but fancy venturing into the theatre world. Maybe others already work in the theatre but are keen to try their hand at writing. And maybe others have had some experience in theatre writing but feel they need a helping hand in taking their next steps. We are especially keen to encourage applications from groups that have been under-represented in the arts – disabled people, women, people from BAME backgrounds, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The New Writers’ Group is a Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru initiative presented in association with S4C, Literature Wales, Pontio, Theatr Clwyd, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Carmarthenshire Theatres, Wales Millennium Centre and the Sherman Theatre.

The scheme will run between September 2018 and June 2019 and will include a series of workshops with experienced writers and directors in various locations throughout Wales. Most of the workshops will be held through the medium of Welsh. The writers will also have an opportunity to attend a number of theatre performances in various venues, completely free of charge.

Following the workshops, the writers will have a period of time to write a new play, with feedback from professional people being given on the work as it develops. At the end of the writing period, rehearsed public readings (with professional actors and directors) of these new plays will be given in the venues that are part of the scheme.

As part of the commitment of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and all its partners to ensure that this scheme is accessible and open to all who wish to apply, every element is offered at no cost to the successful applicants. The writers will be paid travelling, accomodation and subsistence expenses to enable them to attend the workshops, feedback sessions, rehearsals and readings.

For full information, including key dates see: New Writers’ Group Info Pack

Please note that as the scheme is mostly delivered through the medium of Welsh, the application form is in Welsh. To apply please download and complete the following forms by 5pm on Monday 18 June:

Ffurflen Gais Grwp Awduron Newydd

Ffurflen Monitro Cydraddoldeb Grwp Awduron Newydd

Read our privacy notice here: Hysbysiad Preifatrwydd i Ymgeiswyr

AWENAU: A MENTORING SCHEME FOR DIRECTORS AND THEATRE-MAKERS

This scheme will offer a training and mentoring opportunity to directors and theatre-makers who are at the start of their careers, or who are already working in the sector but wish to change direction or extend their experience. The aim is to inspire prospective creative leaders of the theatre in Wales, and develop their skills, in order to help them to grab hold of the creative leadership reins. The scheme will include a varied programme of masterclasses with experienced theatre practitioners. It will also include an opportunity for everyone who is part of the scheme to work as an Assistant Director on one of the company’s productions, a chance to shadow and to be involved in the work of developing the company’s new scripts, together with spending a residential period at Y Llwyfan, the home of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. More details, and information on how to apply, will be available soon.

THE VIOLET BURNS AWARD FOR PLAYWRIGHTS

Within the next couple of months, in association with with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, The Other Room – Cardiff’s pub theatre – will be announcing the winner of the Violet Burns Award for Playwrights. This is an opportunity for a female playwright, writing in Welsh, to see her work being developed and presented by The Other Room. When the winner has been announced, The Other Room – in association with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru – will work with the successful author to develop a new play, with the aim of staging the work in 2019. More details are available here.

Further details regarding the other partners involved in these initiatives will be available soon.

Several of the Theatr Gen Creu schemes will be led by Sarah Bickerton, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s Associate Director. This is what Sarah had to say about this new venture:

“I’m looking forward immensely to welcoming a host of authors, directors and theatre-makers to us over the year, to examine, to experiment and to be brave! My hope is that the venture will be an inspiration and an exciting starting-point for them and their ideas.”

Arwel Gruffydd, Artistic Director of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, said about Theatr Gen Creu:

“New writing is central to the company’s work, and we are extremely pleased to be able to support writers and theatre-makers who are starting out, or those who need support to take their next steps. We look forward to putting these ambitious plans in place, to working together with our various partners, and to welcoming a group of talented and committed artists who are eager to develop their craft and who are the foundation of Welsh-language Theatre today and to the future.”

NYRSYS AND DWY

As part of Wales Millennium Centre\’s season \’Performances for the Curious\’ during April 2018, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru presented  two evenings of readings of works-in-progress, starting with a presentation of Nyrsys by Bethan Marlow on 17 April. This first public presentation was a rare  opportunity to enjoy a taster of the full production that will follow in November 2018.

Dwy:  The second of our presentations were of two winning dramas from the National Urdd Eisteddfod\’s Drama Medal Competition. \’Ansh\’ by Lois Llywelyn Williams (2016) and \’Lôn terfyn\’ by Mared Llywelyn Williams (2017).

THEATR GEN CREU AT THE EISTEDDFOD

We will be continuing our partnership with the National Eisteddfod of Wales and providing a feast of theatre as part of the festival at the Pentref Drama (Drama Village). As part of the programme for the Pentref Drama we will be presenting Theatr Gen Creu at the Eisteddfod, a series of readings and presentations of new works that are currently under development by the company, and written by a variety of writers – some at the start of their careers, and others who are experienced or emerging writers. This programme will offer these writers an opportunity to take risks and to be bold and playful with their craft. In addition, it will provide a stage for the company to give a glimpse of some of the works that are currently under development. Further details regarding the Theatr Gen Creu at the Eisteddfod programme will be available in the near future.

ESTRON

Estron, an alternative and contemporary play by Hefin Robinson, will be touring Wales during the months of April and May. This mischievous yet heart-rending work won the Drama Medal at the 2016 National Eisteddfod, and the production at the Cwt Drama on the Maes of the 2017 National Eisteddfod was extremely well received by reviewers and audiences alike. Lowri Cooke said that the play was “one that must be experienced” and “… fresh and funny, causing a veritable explosion of memories in the viewer’s head.” The team that brought the play to life in 2017 will remain in place for the tour – with Janet Aethwy directing a cast that includes Gareth Elis, Ceri Elen and the voice of Elin Llwyd. Estron will be touring throughout Wales, and will be available to venues by way of the Night Out scheme. This scheme, run by the Arts Council of Wales, works in partnership with Local Authorities to help groups of volunteers throughout Wales bring professional productions to community venues. Full details of the Night Out scheme are available on the website nightout.org.uk. Estron will be presented in association with the National Eisteddfod of Wales and Carmarthenshire Theatres.

MILWR YN Y MEDDWL

During the 2018 National Eisteddfod at Cardiff, we will be presenting Milwr yn y Meddwl by Heiddwen Tomos, the play that won the Drama Medal at the Anglesey National Eisteddfod 2017. This is a hard-hitting work that throws light on the experience of a soldier who is returning to his family and his community after serving his country in the Iraq War. Milwr yn y Meddwl will be a co-production between Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and the Sherman Theatre, in partnership with the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Further details will be available soon.