Rural theatre opens applications for writer in residence
Could you be Pentabus’ next Writer in Residence?
Pentabus are looking for an emerging playwright become their 2027 Jerwood Writer in Residence.
The Jerwood Writer in Residence bursary supports a professional playwright in the early stage of their career, giving the recipient the opportunity to spend up to a year at our base in Ludlow. During their time with Pentabus, the recipient will write at least one new full length play or piece of theatre and will be supported dramaturgically by the Artistic Director.
The £12,000 Bursary is generously supported for by the Jerwood Foundation. It is intended to cover the recipient’s living costs while they are resident at Pentabus for at least six months of their year-long bursary. The Writer in Residence will be the working artist at the core of the company. They will take part in all our day to day activity from Artistic Planning meetings to meeting rural communities and audiences. They will work with our Engagement Lead to plan and deliver our Young Company and Young Writers’ workshops.
The current Jerwood Writer in Residence at Pentabus is Rhys Warrington. He was previously part of Pentabus’ National Young Writers’ Programme (2022–23) and his new play Monument is set to premiere in a co-production between the Royal Court Theatre and Sherman Theatre in December 2026, as part of the Royal Court’s 70th Anniversary Season.
Previous writers include Sid Sagar and Liv Hennessy (2024/25), Laura Waldren and Henry Maddicott (2023), Florence Espuet-Nickless (2021/22), Tom Powell (2020/21), Sophie Ellerby (2018/19), Tim Foley (2017), Joe White (2016) and Simon Longman (2015).
The Writer in Residence will start their residency in Spring 2027, and there will be a period of overlap with current writer Rhys Warrington, who commented: “Being this year’s Jerwood Writer in Residence at Pentabus is everything I’d hoped it would be and more. To have the space and time to dream up and write a brand new play, and to do that alongside such a wonderful, warm, generous team of people, is a genuine gift. I’m already discovering things about the play I’m writing, and even more than that, about myself as a writer, that I simply wouldn't have found otherwise. And to top it all off, Ludlow is absolutely gorgeous. I implore everyone to apply!’”
Applicants must be over 18 years of age and based in the UK.
Find out more at pentabus.co.uk.