This role will join a new group of Associate Playwrights, working alongside the leadership team at the Royal Court to place theatre writers at the heart of planning and decision-making across all our work. In particular, over this first year with a new artistic director in post, there is the ambition to redefine our approach, public articulation of our work, and the role we play in the playwrighting ecology more broadly. This job is an invitation to come and be part of that thinking and to shape the Royal Court’s future: the writers’ theatre led by writers. This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required by this role, and the nature of the associate positions is that they will be flexible around the skills and passions of the individual post-holders, as well as the evolution of our work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Acting as part of the artistic leadership of the Royal Court and joining meetings of the Associates group and wider organisation teams to develop and shape our artistic mission.
• Inputting at a high level into the planning and articulation of key programmes and projects such as writer support, outreach initiatives and partnership work.
• Reading and responding to scripts identified by the literary and artistic team for consideration and contributing expert insights towards decisions around artistic programming and writer development.
• Occasionally leading on specific discretionary events or areas of work, particularly around our support for and engagement with writers.
• Acting as an advocate for the Royal Court and our mission, both in public – including occasional media appearances – and through engaging with supporters and donors at key moments.
• Shaping and upholding key Royal Court policies and approaches, including around anti-racism and anti-oppression.

Mostly, we’re looking for someone who brings insights into parts of the writing sector, or new

perspectives, to sharpen our thinking – someone who’s committed to our mission of upholding and advancing the best values of bold, risk-taking new theatre.

For clarity, the role does not include an expectation or guarantee for the Associate Playwright to write a play, or undertake any further direct delivery of work such as with our writers’ groups. Any such work undertaken by the writer for the Royal Court would be subject to entirely separate processes, agreements and payment/commissioning.

To find out more and apply: Role: Associate Playwright – Royal Court (royalcourttheatre.com)