Opportunities for writers at PFT

As all writers know, your surroundings are a really important consideration when you’re working on your next piece. While some are comfortable amongst piles of half-opened books (there is that oft-quoted study on the correlation between creativity and a messy desk!), others may prefer the calm serenity of a minimalist backdrop.

Personally, I’m a little bit in-between, but that’s okay as Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s new ‘WritersRoom’ (side note: we are loving the creative stylisation here) scheme caters to all kinds of writers: all you need to bring is your creativity.

Opening its doors for the first time this weekend - Saturday the 16^th of February – the newly designed WritersRoom is based within the theatre itself, and boasts two specially designed spaces.

Available from 10:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Saturday, the spaces are  completely free to use – you just need to book in advance.The first of these, the Tummel Room has been created to offer writers the opportunity to be inspired by Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s famous lush surroundings. Named after the river the Theatre resides by, there is ample opportunity to gaze out onto the waterfront as you craft your latest piece of work. Ben-y-Vrackie (or the Speckled Mountain as it’s known to locals) is in close proximity too.

The Reading Room is the second space available - connected to the Theatre’s rehearsal spaces, this will act as both a library for writers to do some research and get inspired, as well as another writing space. It’s a really unique opportunity to work in close proximity to the space where scripts spring into life!

Available from 10:30am to 5:30pm from Monday to Saturday, the spaces are  completely free to use – you just need to get in touch to book in advance.

The WritersRoom exists as part of a wider initiative by Pitlochry Festival Theatre to incubate fresh new ideas, inspire talent, and connect writers to a wider network of creative organisations. From our local Perth Theatre, to arts organisation HOME in Manchester, writers will be encouraged to make use of PFT’s vast connections.

In addition to the spaces, there are free drop-in writers sessions scheduled throughout the year facilitated by established writers. The first one takes place this Saturday the 16^th of February at 2pm and acts as an introduction to writing for theatre. Upcoming scheduled workshops also include a date with PFT’s Artistic Director, Elizabeth Newman, on the 25^th of March on the importance of structure in writing.

Excitingly, there are also residency bursaries available to support fresh and established writing talent. Open to writers and artists at any stage in their career and from all disciplines, there are 10 on offer of varying lengths. These will be geared toward generating new creations housed in Pitlochry or one of their residency partners – from Edinburgh Lyceum to Playwrights’ Studio Scotland, and many more. Applications are now open for 2019.

PFT’s artistic director, Elizabeth Newman says, “We are determined that PFT becomes the beating heart of Scottish theatre - we want to be a place that grows plays, as well as plants and people.”

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To book a space in a WritersRoom, e-mail writers@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com.

For more information on free writer’s workshops, call PFT’s Box Office on 01796 484626 or e-mail boxoffice@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com.

To apply for PFT’s residency bursary, submit 500 words or create a 3 minute video about your idea to residencies@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com. You should also include a CV.