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 for 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 their 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 Head of Engagement 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 longlisted. 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.
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.
To apply please fill out the application form by clicking the link below.
Applications close on Monday 14 July 2025, 10am.
Shortlist Interviews 1 – Online week of 17 December 2025
Shortlist Interviews 2 - In Person at Pentabus on 15 January 2025
The Jerwood Writer in Residence is to begin their residency from Spring 2026