Playwrights:
At the heart of everything we do

The Big Room

The Big Room is an innovative new concept in professional playwright development. We believe it is unique in its flexibility, ambition and scope. As a boundless, playwright-led space, it will offer bespoke developmental opportunities to professional playwrights of exceptional talent across the UK. It is a resource that will invest deeply in a small number of writers each year, with the ultimate aim of supporting the best playwrights in the development of their art, on their terms.

The work of The Big Room will be driven by the following ethos:
• It will primarily help playwrights develop their art rather than their careers;
• It will be led by the individual playwright on their terms;
• It will complement and connect existing national development provision, working in partnership with, rather than looking to replace, existing opportunities;
• It will not driven by, towards or because of production.

The key characteristics of The Big Room will be its bespoke nature and its UK-wide reach.  Having identified a professional playwright of exceptional talent, we will respond to their needs with a specific set of resources that over a sustained period of time will, in the view the writer and ourselves, make an indelible mark on their art through in-depth investment.

The Big Room is supported by Channel 4/Film Four, The Fenton Arts Trust, and Jon and NoraLee Sedmak.

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