We’re looking for an experienced writer to collaborate with our network of secondary school teachers and young people in developing a piece of theatre for young performers. The writer(s) could be an individual, partner writers or a theatre company with the right experience to develop this script. We’re looking for a script that brings together the voices of young people in Oldham, through a process of collaboration and research. You will be the writer behind a piece of theatre performed by school students in years 7, 8 , 9.
THE BRIEF
Write a 35–45-minute script for a piece that will be performed as creative theatre. The piece needs to be adaptable, accessible and relatable for young people.
Things to consider:
• Ethics around youth voice process and safeguarding.
• Relatability and relevance to young people and Oldham.
• Delivering under the timescales of this inaugural project.
There is a fixed fee for the project £3,780 which includes:
- Writing the piece.
- Attendance to the festival in February 2026.
- A youth consultation session.
- Relevant planning meetings with the team and directors.
- CPD to support teachers around the delivery of the piece.
- Ongoing consultation and evaluation.
This festival is part of a 2-year programme for education in drama, theatre and performing arts in Oldham. The festival will include a week of performances by students from Oldham secondary schools.
OUR VALUES
At the heart of this commission is the desire to connect with local, Greater Manchester artists, practitioners, students and teachers of Oldham. Our core purpose is the importance of young people’s creative education. We want to ensure every young person across Oldham can experience the performing arts and participate on or offstage. We know there is a need to make theatre, drama or performing arts more visible.
KEY DATES
We are conscious of the quick turnaround and lead time and will work with the writer(s) to ensure deliverables are achievable.
• Application submission deadline Monday 28th July 2025.
• Available for Interview Tuesday 5th August 2025.
You will be able to deliver the first draft by w/c 8th September 2025 with final piece written by w/c 6th October 2025. We will schedule in reviews during this time.
The Theatre Festival will be just before February half-term 2026 (dates TBC).
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential experience:
- Experience producing new work for young people.
- Comfortable working within school and education settings.
- Experience collaborating with theatre makers or theatre organisations.
- Able and willing to learn and work cross-culturally and with cultural sensitivity.
Highly Desirable
- A connection with Oldham and Greater Manchester.
- A passion for creating high quality theatre.
- Experience with devising, drama and theatre practice.
- Script and playwriting experience.
APPLICATION PROCESS
There will be two stages to the application. Closing date for applications is Monday 28th July 2025.
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter to yemi.bolatiwa@oldham.gov.uk outlining suitability for the role:
- This cover letter should be no longer than 2 pages of A4.
- If you prefer, we will accept expressions of interest submitted in the form of a video or audio recording no more than 5 minutes in length and hosted on an accessible drive, cloud or link.
We are also inviting applicants to send a creative CV or examples of work, demonstrating your experience as a writer or theatre practitioner e.g. Show reels, portfolios, script excerpts (no more than 10 pages).
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by Friday 1st August 2025.
Download links for Commission Callout Word and PDF document
Oldham Theatre Workshop website - https://oldhamtheatreworkshop.co.uk/
Accessibility, Inclusivity and Safeguarding
The safeguarding of young people is paramount. Experience and training around our safeguarding policies and codes of conduct will be compulsory. We will keep at the forefront of our decision making, the representation of our locality, accessibility and protected characteristics with regards to the brief, the recruitment and the public engagement around the programme.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and abilities who can fulfil the brief, and will take into consideration differing needs. If shortlisted, you will be asked if you have any specific accessibility requirements so we can fully support your interview.
Should you have any questions or need additional support with this application, please direct your questions to yemi.bolatiwa@oldham.gov.uk. We encourage curiosity or requests for further clarity around the project, so please do not hesitate.
Best of luck!
This playwriting commission has been created by OPAN (Oldham Performing Arts Network for education and educators), an initiative created by Oldham Theatre Workshop and Oldham Coliseum Theatre. OPAN aims to build and populate a sustainable network that directly connects teachers and education professionals to the town’s cultural offer, creating new opportunities that enhance people’s lives through participation in the performing arts.