Saturday 21 January 2023, 4pm
Celebrating Northern talent, BoxFresh showcases six new plays from Box of Tricks’ PlayMakers Network for Northern playwrights and theatremakers.
Six PlayMakers will receive a public script-in-hand showcase of an extract of their play at HOME Manchester as part of Box of Tricks’ biennial PlayMakers Takeover on Saturday 21 January 2023.
Supported by Rope Ladder Fiction, each writer will have the opportunity to send a work-in-progress screenplay for feedback and script sessions as well as take part in a workshop on writing for TV.
Meet the BoxFresh writers
Shazia Ashraf
A slice of don’t give a f$ck
Shazia is a Wakefield based writer and director. She had her initial writing and directing training from Leeds Playhouse and Freedom Studios in Bradford. Seeing the lack of support for scripts aimed at minority groups Shazia began ‘My big phat writers group’ @mbpwg that has now been running for over ten years. Her work includes: ‘Peacocks’ 2013 Theatre in the Mill; ‘Sweets & Chocolates’ 2015, Kali theatre/RADA; ‘99% Halal’ 2015 Kala Sangam; ‘Reservoir Rami’ 2016 Theatre Deli/Wakefield literature festival.
Clodagh Chapman
Sink
Clodagh is a Manchester-based writer and theatre maker. Her past work includes Ladyfriends (Camden People’s Theatre; touring 2023), butterfly (VAULT Festival), dubbed “a brilliant show full of heart” [Guardian], and First Kiss With A Girl, which has played in competition at BAFTA-qualifying festivals worldwide.
Sasha Georgette
Borrowed
Sasha is a passionate multi-disciplined queer and disabled artist, having trained in acting at LIPA as well as receiving her MA in Playwriting at University of Manchester. Sasha loves exploring coming of age stories and discovering how our younger selves impact our present self and the world around us.
Maureen Lennon
The Quickening
Maureen is an Associate Artist of Middle Child Theatre, a Leeds Playhouse FUSE writer 2019 and a Sphinx30 playwright. Her recent plays include The Coppergate Woman (York Theatre Royal) and Us Against Whatever (Middle Child Theatre). Her play Helen will open at Theatre 503 in May 2023.
Vanessa Schofield
Kinship
Vanessa is a northern working class actor and creative. She is both a screenwriter and playwright who captures young working class female voices exploring far reaching issues within intimate settings. She has written for BBC sounds and CBBC, including an episode of Malory Towers for King Bert Productions.
Jilly Sumsion
The Collegian
Jilly is a Northern writer from a working-class background. Jilly’s writing is inspired by real people, lesser-heard voices, and a career working with Disabled and Deaf talent. Jilly is an alumni of Manchester Writing School (MA Scriptwriting) and campaigns for better representation for Disabled and Deaf creatives in the arts.
Supported by Rope Ladder Fiction
Rope Ladder Fiction is creatively led by Cameron Roach, previously Director of Drama at SKY TV. The Manchester based indie is committed to nurturing next generation talent whilst developing bold character led narratives. Rope Ladder has a development deal with Sky Studios and projects in funded development with UK, and international broadcasters. The first commission for Rope Ladder Fiction is Waterloo Road a co-production with Wall to Wall for BBC1 which launched on 3rd January 2023. Working in conjunction with Screen Manchester, Rope Ladder has committed to an ambitious training and development programme for new entrants to the industry on Waterloo Road. A pilot writing, outreach programme for schools in Greater Manchester, is also underway, along with targeted outreach work with under represented groups.