Previous sell-out workshop — capped at 15 participants

“There is no present or future – only the past, happening over and over again – now.” – Eugene O’Neill

Over 3 weeks, participants will begin work on a play inspired by an event from history and present approximately 10 minutes, as well as have a clear sense of how to continue developing their work.

The course is perfect for anyone who has an interest in history and would like to begin writing a script based on a historical event or person. Is there a family story passed down the generations that you’re itching to tell, or perhaps you’ve come across something fascinating from your hometown or maybe you find yourself drawn to a particular figure from hundreds of years ago. How do you turn that idea into a fully realized theatre play?

Participation will be a mix of tutor led listening, interaction with fellow workshop attendees in breakout rooms and writing exercises.

Session breakdown

Ticket price includes all three sessions. Individual session tickets cannot be purchased. Please note this workshop is not eligible for a bursary place.

Week 1: ‘Start at the source’

Saturday March 27, 11:30-1:30 PM GMT

We will begin with the idea and start to develop an elevator pitch. If you can sell me the story in thirty seconds, you know the motor behind your narrative. We will look at the basics of what a festival application pitch needs and then develop those pitches and plan an outline for the narrative arc.

Week 2: ‘Find your storyteller’

Saturday April 3, 11:30-1:30 PM GMT

We will do group devising exercises focused on developing content that fleshes out character, dialogue and plot. I will also provide some scene writing exercises you can take away with you to expand on an idea you already have or ideas that were developed during the session.

Week 3: ‘Campfire tales’

Saturday April 10, 11:30-1:30 PM GMT

We will hear each piece read aloud and offer feedback. Hearing work aloud is an invaluable part of the script writing process. You will then have roughly ten minutes of material and hopefully lots of ideas for continuing along the path to bringing it to life.

To get the most out of the 3 weeks of workshops, please bring an idea of a jumping off point and as much research or information as you feel will be helpful to you in your writing process. Participants will be expected to write in-between each session so that by the end of the course you have a piece of work you can take forward with you.

About Instructor Sasha Wilson
Sasha Wilson is an American/Bulgarian actor, writer and Co-Artistic Director of the multi-award winning Out Of The Forest Theatre (“I would hardwire Out Of The Forest Theatre to my brain if I could.” – There Ought To Be Clowns). They present plays about events from history that serve as a lens to better understand the present. Their most recent production “The Brief Life and Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria: Part The First” premiered at VAULT Festival 2020 where it won the Origins Award for outstanding new work. Her previous two plays, “Call Me Fury” and “Bury The Hatchet” were nominated and won an Off West End Award for “Best Ensemble.” They both had 3 week runs at the Hope Theatre and “Bury The Hatchet” toured to the US. Sasha has led this workshop series previously at Rose Bruford, and twice for Part of the Main.