Total Theatre Artists as Writers – developing new critical writing

24 September 2021

Call-out to artists working in theatre, circus, performance & outdoor arts

Without Walls is delighted to be supporting the 2021 edition of Total Theatre Magazine‘s Artists as Writers scheme. 

Total Theatre Artists as Writers is a free mentoring and training programme in writing skills, led by Total Theatre Magazine’s editors, working with guest mentors and workshop leaders.

This new edition will take place from November 2021 to March 2022, offering a series of online workshops and mentoring for a group of 12 contemporary theatre/performance/outdoor artists interested in writing about artistic practices. Participants’ works will go on to be published on the Total Theatre Magazine website, alongside commissions from established artist-writers. 

The programme will be led by editor Dorothy Max Prior and associate editor Beccy Smith, alongside a number of guest mentors and workshop leaders.

Editor Dorothy Max Prior says:

‘Total Theatre Artists as Writers is at the core of our work – celebrating and supporting contemporary theatre and performance, and prioritising the voice of the artist. In our 2021-2022 programme, we intend to include as diverse a range as possible of both emerging and established artists; and our quest is to find participants from all corners of the UK, and all sections of the community.’

Overview of the programme

The programme will cover three main strands:

  • Reflecting on and writing about the artist’s own journey and current practice
  • Research into the work of other artists, companies, organisations, or artforms/strands of practice (contemporary or historic) that the artist has a particular interest in – with reference to the Total Theatre Archive and/or other archives or resources
  • Reflection on the diversification of the theatre/performance/outdoor arts sectors, with sessions delivered by guest workshop leaders, and an encouragement to research and create articles written by or about artists of colour, LGBTQ+ artists, artists from working-class & migrant communities, and on community responsive theatre and art-making

Please note this is a voluntary participatory project, offering free training and mentoring. No prior writing experience is necessary, simply a committed interest in exploring your own practice.

Key Dates

Applications are open and will close on Friday 22 October 2021, 6pm.

Programme runs from November 2021 to March 2022

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