Launched in 2020, our Pen Pals exchange programme matches six pairs of Northern playwrights in each cohort to connect, share ideas and develop their craft. During the exchange, each Pen Pal develops a full-length play – sharing thoughts and ideas along the way – and receives feedback from the Box of Tricks team. We've already matched 60 writers across 5 cohorts!
Box of Tricks champions playwrights and empowers them to tell the stories they want to tell. We recognise that sometimes, these stories need to be told free from the pressures of a commission or competition deadline and that writers need a safe space for creativity and risk taking.
Pen Pals A 10-minute introduction to Box of Tricks' Pen Pals programme from our Joint Artistic Directors Adam and Hannah.***Window open 1 June – 15 June 2020.*** Posted by Box of Tricks Theatre on Friday, 5 June 2020
Programme
Box of Tricks will match 6 pairs of Pen Pals for a six month period. Each pair will send each other work-in-progress and maintain regular contact through online meetings.
Box of Tricks will introduce Pen Pals online, discuss their ideas at the start of the process, and meet again for a midway catch-up. Prior to the end of programme, there will be an opportunity to share extracts at an online Scratch Night. At the end of the exchange, all 12 Pen Pals will send their drafts to Box of Tricks to be read ahead of a final debrief and feedback session.
Eligibility Criteria
Our Pen Pals programme is open to writers at all stages of experience and we will aim to match you with a writer at a similar level. Writers must be members of Box of Tricks’ PlayMakers Network and must be either resident in, or originally from, the North of England.
Apply to be a Pen Pal
Please note the submission window for our Pen Pals programme is currently closed.
If you have any questions about Pen Pals, please email playmakers@boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk (with 'Pen Pals' in the subject line).
Pen Pals: Cohort 5
April - October 2023
Shaban Dar & Ushiku Crisafulli
Felicity Brangan & Chrissy Jones
Ginni Manning & Elizabeth Logan
Ifeoma Uzo & Ruby Maclennan
Libby Williamson & Kieran Launder
Matthew Smith & Sheena Hussain
As pictured (l-r): Shaban Dar, Ushiku Crisafulli, Felicity Brangan, Chrissy Jones, Ginni Manning, Elizabeth Logan, Ifeoma Uzo, Ruby Maclennan, Libby Williamson, Kieran Launder, Matthew Smith and Sheena Hussain.
Pen Pals: Cohort 4
March - September 2022
Lekhani Chirwa & Beth Westbrook
Sasha Georgette & Porcelain Delaney
Clodagh Chapman & Chris Hoyle
Vanessa Schofield & Elis Shotton
Maureen Lennon & Ellen Wagstaff
Kirsty Smith & Laura Woodward
As pictured (l-r): Lekhani Chirwa, Beth Westbrook, Sasha Georgette, Porcelain Delaney, Clodagh Chapman, Chris Hoyle, Vanessa Schofield, Elis Shotton, Maureen Lennon, Ellen Wagstaff, Kirsty Smith and Laura Woodward.
Pen Pals: Cohort 3
September 2021 - March 2022
Mhairi Ledgerwood & Mohammed Barber
Dan Millar & Will Charlton
Katherine McDermott & Sorcha McCaffrey
Laurie Ogden & Lauren-Nicole Mayes
Tiegan Byrne & Tiffany Bowman
Natasha Cottriall & Aisling Lally
As pictured (l-r): Mhairi Ledgerwood, Mohammed Barber, Dan Millar, Will Charlton, Katherine McDermott, Sorcha McCaffrey, Laurie Ogden, Lauren-Nicole Mayes, Tiegan Byrne, Tiffany Bowman, Natasha Cottriall and Aisling Lally.
Pen Pals: Cohort 2
November 2020 - May 2021
Alison Carr & Anna Spearpoint
Nana-Kofi Kufuor & Hannah Roze-Lewis
Becci Sharrock & Chris Salt
Kirsten Holly & Bronte Appleby
Barbara Williams & Kerry Wright
Nicole Joseph & Sass Holmes
As pictured (l-r): Alison Carr, Anna Spearpoint, Nana-Kofi Kufuor, Hannah Roze-Lewis, Becci Sharrock, Chris Salt, Kirsten Holly, Bronte Appleby, Barbara Williams, Kerry Wright, Nicole Joseph and Sass Holmes
Pen Pals: Cohort 1
September 2020 - March 2021
Molly Sweeney & Laura Homer
Karla Marie Sweet & Stefanie Reynolds
Francesca Waite & Josie Cerise
Nick Kirby & Steve Timms
Clare McNulty & James Harker
Kat Boon & Rachel Price
As pictured (l-r): Molly Sweeney, Laura Homer, Karla Marie Sweet, Stefanie Reynolds, Francesca Waite, Josie Cerise, Nick Kirby, Steve Timms, Clare McNulty, James Harker, Kat Boon and Rachel Price.