Directory of Writers' Circles

An exciting new development for the region’s writers for performance as Yorkshire Playwrights relaunched as SCRIPT YORKSHIRE in January 2005

SCRIPT YORKSHIRE launched in January 2005 with an impressive range of networking and professional development opportunities for the region’s established and aspiring writers for performance.

Formerly known as Yorkshire Playwrights, this democratically-run, writer-led organisation has supported some of the region’s most professionally high-profile writers for the past 15 years. Newly renamed Script Yorkshire, the organisation now aims to attract a much broader membership who write or aspire to write for all performance media – television, film, radio, theatre etc - through an enhanced programme of professional and craft development opportunities and improved professional industry links.

Liz Ryan, Chair of Script Yorkshire, says: "As Yorkshire Playwrights, this organisation was the best-kept secret in Yorkshire. I hope our relaunch as Script Yorkshire will signal that we are serious about improving our visibility and making ourselves useful to writers for performance at every stage of their careers.

"Script Yorkshire gives writers a chance to develop a whole range of useful contacts and skills. It’s a great way to improve your industry knowledge and take control of your career."

SCRIPT YORKSHIRE aims to be the region’s essential hub of information for writers for performance through the launch of a brand new website www.scriptyorkshire.co.uk together with an upgraded monthly newsletter and ‘rapid response’ emails which signpost members to the very latest news, awards and writing opportunities on offer both regionally and nationally.

Through associations with key organisations such as York Theatre Royal, and a unique partnership with the Leeds branch of Equity which has resulted in the SCRIPT YORKSHIRE ACTING COMPANY, it will also offer opportunities for writers to develop and showcase their work.

All this, combined with regular networking events and keynote talks from speakers at the top of their field, constitutes a significant improvement in the degree of opportunity for the region’s writers and is a must for anyone wanting to develop their craft, writing career and industry connections.

Planned events in the organisation’s first three months include:

- Expert and up-to-date legal advice from Wendi Lunn, intellectual property specialist at Cobbett’s Solicitors, on how to protect your work from copyright theft

- A chance to visit the Emmerdale studios and meet professionals working on the show

- Workshops on a range of subjects including how to devise plays using actors and how to tackle writing characters from a different ethnic group

There will also be a competition aimed specifically at members who have not yet been commissioned.

SCRIPT YORKSHIRE’S development has been made possible through the support of Arts Council Yorkshire but it will remain an independent organisation. Membership is open to all established or aspiring writers for performance who live or work in the region, whether in the professional or amateur sector, and including those in further education.

Contact details:

Liz Ryan - Chair
Tel: 01757 630 742
Email: info@scriptyorkshire.co.uk

Caroline Small
members@scriptyorkshire.co.uk

SCRIPT YORKSHIRE registered charity No.1063574.
Registered office: Brown Butler, Yorkshire Bank Chambers, Infirmary Street, Leeds LS1 2JT.

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