Alex Mager
Alex Mager is from Shrewsbury and studied Theoretical Physics at Lancaster University. Now, they are looking to explore more creative pursuits. Primarily, Alex writes fantasy and mythology set in a fictional world of their own creation, for which they have also devised a language. They write both prose and verse but have never tried their hand at playwriting. Excited to give it a go, Alex hopes that one day they might be writing plays depicting the great dramas and tragedies of their mythology.
Emma Morgan
Emma Morgan is a theatre-maker and poet from Shrewsbury, currently studying at Bristol University.
In 2023, they wrote YES/NO/MAYBE, a short multimedia play exploring identity and online dating. In 2024, they wrote Flytrap, an intimate comedy about sex education, which previewed in Bristol before enjoying a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe. More recently, they created BIG NIGHT OUT, a live-cinema performance art piece exploring female friendship.
Emma is thrilled to collaborate with everyone at Pentabus and deeply grateful for the opportunity to create theatre locally. Sharing their writing in the place where they grew up feels incredibly empowering.
Evie Addison
Evie Addison is a young writer, director, filmmaker, and artist from Dudley. With a deep love for theatre, they attend many shows, with favorites including NYE, Prima Facie, and Standing at the Sky’s Edge, all staged by the National Theatre. Their passion for storytelling and its visual elements is what makes these productions particularly meaningful to them.
In their spare time, Evie is a keen artist, specializing in realism portraiture. They are also a journalist for the Young Reporters Scheme, an experience that has allowed them to explore and review a variety of events, particularly theatre shows, and analyse what makes them so compelling.
Greg Arundell
Greg Arundell is an actor and writer currently based in Birmingham. He graduated Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a BA in Acting in 2024.
His first full length play ‘Waves’ was longlisted by Royal Shakespeare Company, Bush Theatre, Masterclass at Theatre Royal Haymarket and Bold Elephant.
He is very excited to be working with the Pentabus team and especially to connect with other Midlands-based artists.
Hamish MacAulay
Although Hamish has no formal writing experience, storytelling has always been a deep passion—a gateway to both escape and self-discovery. Born in Southampton, they have journeyed through the West and East Midlands, collecting inspiration along the way. What excites them most about this course is the chance to refine their craft alongside a community of like-minded, creative individuals. They can't wait to dive in, collaborate, and bring fresh ideas to life.
Hannah King
Hannah King was born in Worcestershire and is currently studying Performing Arts at HCA.
This year, she committed to seeking out more opportunities and experiences. Her love for theatre led her to Young Writers and Pentabus, and she was particularly inspired by their production of Make Good: The Post Office Scandal, a performance full of life and emotion. This experience motivated her to embrace the opportunity to write.
Hannah hopes to learn how to blend creativity with structure, bring justice to the words she creates, and overcome challenges along the way. She is excited to embark on this journey alongside other talented writers.
Lily Phelps
Lily is a young trans woman originally from South Wales, now studying in Hereford. She is a member of The Understudies Company, a small theatre group where she and her friends wrote and produced The Cheese Musical. Lily is thrilled for the opportunity to showcase her creativity and share her work with others.
Meg Vaughan
Meg Vaughan is a writer and events worker from Shrewsbury, Shropshire. She co-produced PORTALS, a ‘time-travelling dyke night’ and archive project in South-East London focusing on live music & performance, for several years before moving back to the West Midlands. She is excited to ignite her creativity in new ways on the Local Young Writers course, to learn, experiment and to engage with theatre-making as an unfamiliar medium and one she has always been intrigued by.
Will Witt
William is a writer and actor from Shropshire. He graduated from the MA Acting programme at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in January 2025. His passion for writing began at university, where he wrote two plays and worked as a producerat Studio Brunel, helping to stage new writing. As a professional actor for four years, William has seen firsthand the excitement of performing original work. This course marks the first time his own writing will be professionally staged, and he hopes it will be a springboard for future creative
projects, allowing him to develop his voice as both a writer and performer.