The showcase was an invaluable way of developing and improving my work. Every lecturer and tutor we've had has told us that the best way to improve as a writer is to see our work on stage; it seems contradictory that we not only do not get an official showcase, but are antagonised when we try to put one on ourselves.
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Lanna Joffrey
12 years ago
Featured
The New Writing Night was an invaluable educational experience for me as an MA actor. I truly hope Central will support this kind of cross connecting of creative artists. Emerging writers, actors, producers, designers and directors need these chances as often as possible to all gather and create new work. It just makes sense.
J
Janice Sze Wan Poon
12 years ago
I have been collaborating internationally on new play development projects and productions. I can't stress it enough on the value of providing an open platform for playwrights to work on their feet and put their pages on stage, no matter what stage of career they are in. Central is one of the most internationally engaged performing arts school in the UK. By putting up a showcase of new writing of Central students, we are establishing an international theatre making community where we create, exchange, support each other, and together, Central alumnus will endeavor to a vibrant new theatre scene which will make Central proud in the world stage.
K
Katherine Soper
12 years ago
It's easy to assume students of this course have already had the opportunity to see their work staged, or else would find the prospect of a showcase 'intimidating' - or even that the endeavour is worthless if it doesn't result in the acquisition of an agent. However, the level of enthusiasm for this project has shown these excuses to be patently false. I benefited enormously from seeing a piece of work rehearsed and performed by the Acting students; in course terms, it has made the discussion and preparation for writing my Micro-Drama infinitely more valuable, and in personal and creative terms it has been a boost of confidence unmatched by anything else on the course. To have the writers treated as a valid contributor to the creative programme at Central would only improve this. Please, help us avoid all the bureaucratic red tape and limitations next time.
K
Kate Saffin
12 years ago
As well as the 13 writers the event also offered opportunities to 21 MA acting students and two MA Creative Producing as well as the two actors in my piece, The Truth, one of whom is a current student on MA Applied and the other a Central alumnus. I believe we all gained a tremendous amount from thi collaboration across different MA strands as well as the focus on honing a piece of writing to performance level. There have been few opportunities to work with other strands – which I appreciate is difficult to programme – and to share in the process of production feels like using our newly acquired skills in the field for which they are intended! Personally, I learned a great deal as I worked with the actors and gained immeasurably in confidence. I believe that events that bring our work to a wider audience (including industry representatives) can only be good for Central – showing the breadth of developing talent as well the depth.
I find it genuinely absurd that we as writers are not pushed to stage our work. The course emphasises the sale of our written work to mainstream theatres, but drifts over the possibility of getting it on its feet ourselves. We have now proven this possible, so there is no excuse for it to be discontinued.
A
Angela Shea Myers
12 years ago
I couldn't believe it when I heard the school doesn't have any kind of showcase program set up for its writers. This is such an important opportunity for the students in various programs, writing, acting, production, etc. to network and work together. It seems odd that Central isn't already capitalizing on this valuable learning experience and using it to draw in more potential students.
W
William Sebag-Montefiore
12 years ago
I was proud to be a part of it and, knowing some of the writers personally and having read their work, am glad I have forged relationships with them early in our respective careers. They are a talented, friendly, hard-working bunch and they deserve a showcase.
The showcase was an invaluable way of developing and improving my work. Every lecturer and tutor we've had has told us that the best way to improve as a writer is to see our work on stage; it seems contradictory that we not only do not get an official showcase, but are antagonised when we try to put one on ourselves.
The New Writing Night was an invaluable educational experience for me as an MA actor. I truly hope Central will support this kind of cross connecting of creative artists. Emerging writers, actors, producers, designers and directors need these chances as often as possible to all gather and create new work. It just makes sense.
I have been collaborating internationally on new play development projects and productions. I can't stress it enough on the value of providing an open platform for playwrights to work on their feet and put their pages on stage, no matter what stage of career they are in. Central is one of the most internationally engaged performing arts school in the UK. By putting up a showcase of new writing of Central students, we are establishing an international theatre making community where we create, exchange, support each other, and together, Central alumnus will endeavor to a vibrant new theatre scene which will make Central proud in the world stage.
It's easy to assume students of this course have already had the opportunity to see their work staged, or else would find the prospect of a showcase 'intimidating' - or even that the endeavour is worthless if it doesn't result in the acquisition of an agent. However, the level of enthusiasm for this project has shown these excuses to be patently false. I benefited enormously from seeing a piece of work rehearsed and performed by the Acting students; in course terms, it has made the discussion and preparation for writing my Micro-Drama infinitely more valuable, and in personal and creative terms it has been a boost of confidence unmatched by anything else on the course. To have the writers treated as a valid contributor to the creative programme at Central would only improve this. Please, help us avoid all the bureaucratic red tape and limitations next time.
As well as the 13 writers the event also offered opportunities to 21 MA acting students and two MA Creative Producing as well as the two actors in my piece, The Truth, one of whom is a current student on MA Applied and the other a Central alumnus. I believe we all gained a tremendous amount from thi collaboration across different MA strands as well as the focus on honing a piece of writing to performance level. There have been few opportunities to work with other strands – which I appreciate is difficult to programme – and to share in the process of production feels like using our newly acquired skills in the field for which they are intended! Personally, I learned a great deal as I worked with the actors and gained immeasurably in confidence. I believe that events that bring our work to a wider audience (including industry representatives) can only be good for Central – showing the breadth of developing talent as well the depth.
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I find it genuinely absurd that we as writers are not pushed to stage our work. The course emphasises the sale of our written work to mainstream theatres, but drifts over the possibility of getting it on its feet ourselves. We have now proven this possible, so there is no excuse for it to be discontinued.
I couldn't believe it when I heard the school doesn't have any kind of showcase program set up for its writers. This is such an important opportunity for the students in various programs, writing, acting, production, etc. to network and work together. It seems odd that Central isn't already capitalizing on this valuable learning experience and using it to draw in more potential students.
I was proud to be a part of it and, knowing some of the writers personally and having read their work, am glad I have forged relationships with them early in our respective careers. They are a talented, friendly, hard-working bunch and they deserve a showcase.