Writer in Residence

Applications are now open for the Jerwood Writer In Residence 2027.

Pentabus have hosted a Writer in Residence since 2014, when Simon Longman took up the post, followed by Joe White, Tim Foley, Sophie Ellerby, Tom Powell, Florence Espeut-Nickless, Laura Waldren, Henry Maddicott, Liv Hennessy and Sid Sagar. We are delighted that Rhys Warrington is our 2026 Jerwood Writer in Residence. 

In an unprecedented hat-trick, we were recipients of three consecutive Channel 4 Bursaries from 2014–16, which enabled us to host three talented playwrights, all in the early stages of their careers — Simon, Joe and Tim. Since 2018, when Sophie took up the post, the Clive Richards Foundation provided the bursary for our Writer in Residence for four years. 

Since 2025, the Jerwood Foundation has generously supported the Writer in Residence programme with funding of £60,000 over three years — comprising £12,000 per year for the bursary and £8,000 per year to cover recruitment, travel and accommodation. The 2025 bursary was shared between Liv Hennessy and Sid Sagar, with Rhys Warrington taking up the post in 2026. 

Previous Writers in Residence have gone on to be commissioned by the Royal Court Theatre, Birmingham Rep, Royal Welsh College, The Bush, HighTide, Royal Exchange Theatre, and Nottingham Playhouse. 

Pentabus are looking for an emerging theatre artist to become our third Jerwood Writer in Residence. 

The Bursary supports a professional playwright in the early stage of their career, giving the recipient the opportunity to spend up to a year at our base in Ludlow in South Shropshire. During their time with Pentabus, the recipient will write at least one new full length play or piece of theatre. 

The £12,000 Bursary is generously supported by the Jerwood Foundation. It is intended to cover the recipient’s living costs while they are resident at Pentabus for at least six months of the year-long bursary. The Writer in Residence will be the working artist at the core of the company. They will write at least one full length play while they are with us, supported dramaturgically by the Artistic Director. They will take part in all our day to day activity from Artistic Planning meetings to meeting rural communities and audiences. They will work with our Engagement Lead to plan and deliver our Young Company and Young Writers’ workshops. 

How to Apply & Deadlines:  

You MUST complete all sections of the application form and equal opportunities monitoring form, and ensure you also upload the following:  

• A copy of a full length play that you’ve written. Ideally, we’d like to read plays that have had a professional reading or production. NB This play will not be read unless you are long listed. Please provide details of the production or reading with the play.  
• A current writer’s CV or Biog.

For more information and how to apply, please download our information pack below.  

Applicants must be over 18 years of age and based in the UK.   

If you need additional technical or other access support in applying for this bursary, or you need the information in a format that best suits your needs, please email projects@pentabus.co.uk.