Theatre Témoin in association with The Mercury Theatre are micro-commissioning a team of playwrights for NHS Yarns, a project partnering culturally diverse key workers and playwrights in the South East to co-create a series of short plays. This is a short contract (5 days @ £150 p/d); you’ll be paired with a NHS key worker to co-imagine a piece of theatre together, and then you’ll create a short piece in response to the conversation. A final collection of 6 micro-commissions will be showcased at The Mercury in March, 2021.

NHS Yarns has been born of a desire to amplify lesser-heard stories while making a space for artists and key workers to collaborate in the creation of soulful, imaginative, and compelling storytelling in response to the pandemic. We’re especially keen to hear from playwrights in the South East who are passionate about writing fantastical / non-literal / image-led theatre, come from culturally diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, and/or have a personal connection to the key worker experience.

The Company

Theatre Témoin is an award-winning company making daring, fun, and socially urgent theatre. We make visually stunning physical performance with direct input from the communities whose stories we present. We’re passionate about developing a theatrical canon of exceptional quality that includes under-represented voices, builds bridges between communities, and brings a diverse range of people to the arts in a meaningful, lasting way. Download our 10-year impact report here.

Application Process 

To apply, please send a CV, writing sample, and cover letter (500 words max) outlining why you think you’d be suitable for the role to info@theatretemoin.com by end of day Friday Dec 4th.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday Dec 8th via zoom. Please indicate your availability for that day in your letter.

If you have any questions, require this information in a different format, or have any additional access requirements, please contact Ailin Conant (Artistic Director) at ailin@theatretemoin.com

Theatre Témoin strives to be an Equal Opportunities employer and encourages applications for work from all sections of the community.  You are encouraged to complete an equal opportunities form.

Key Information

Job title: Playwright (Freelance)

Rate of pay: £150 per day (total contract: £750 inclusive of VAT)

Reporting to: Artistic Director

Location: Company is based in SE and the project will be based at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, but we can work with Key workers throughout the South East of England. Playwright will be working from home.

Working hours & Date Range: 5 days (7.5 hours p/d) spread over January and February 2021.

Outputs: Engage in 2-hour co-creation consultation with 2-3 NHS key workers, create short piece in response to conversations.

Employment type: This is a self-employed position. You are responsible for paying any tax and NI contributions.

Other: Playwright will be required to provide their own laptop for zoom meetings.