Page to Stage Development Workshop - June 8th, 2025 (10am-5pm)

This unique workshop was requested by our Breakthrough Steering Group, was developed by them, and offers writers, directors and actors the chance to engage in a hands-on day of development.

We are looking for six two-hander scenes of no more than 8-10 minutes to workshop. Over the course of one day, 12 participant actors will stage these scenes under the guidance of an established director, assisted by two shadow directors, who will provide notes, advice, and multiple options for approaching the material. Everyone benefits from something that mimics a real R&D! This workshop gets participants meaningful time with our Artistic Director, who will be casting and commissioning up to six shows in the next 18 months.

Writers will gain insight into how their work looks off the page, allowing for deeper refinement and development. Actors will benefit from practical experience, experimenting with new techniques and interpretations in a supportive environment. Directors will have a chance to learn on the hoof.

Participants will form the audience, watching each other's scenes, observing notes, creating a rare opportunity for live observational study, seeing how different perspectives and choices shape a piece of work in real time.

This is a collaborative session focused on growth, exploration, and skill-sharing, designed to benefit all creatives involved.

Where: Accidental Theatre, Shaftsbury Square, Belfast

Fee: Pay what you can - once you are selected, you will pay on the day. Our team is giving their time for free, your fee will go to venue hire, insurance and more.

Participants: We will be looking for 6 playwrights, 12 actors (6 teams of 2) and 2 shadow directors, for a total of 20 people.

Writers – 6 Spaces Available

What you’ll get:

  • Live workshopping of your scene by actors

  • Directional feedback and creative experimentation

  • Observational learning from all six pieces presented

  • A chance to discuss your work and ask questions in a safe, creative space

To be considered as a writer please send us an email with an 8-10 page scene for two people that you would like to see developed on the day, with a 250 word description of the piece and a short bio about your experience as a writer. We will triage submissions and contact those writers who have been successful. If we accept you, you must commit to the entire day of work on the 8th of June; payment will be on the day, on a pay what you can basis.

Writers email us your scripts HERE.

Actors – Up to 12 Spaces Available

What you’ll get:

  • Great opportunity for practice and development with others at your level of professional experience

  • One-on-one feedback from an established director, who is actively casting and directing in Northern Ireland and beyond.

  • The chance to observe and learn from other teams’ creative processes

  • A collaborative space to refresh your craft and stretch yourself including managed feedback from other actors

To be considered as an actor please send us an email with your headshot, a two-minute self tape for any acting role you are proud of, and a few sentences about your experience. We will triage applicants into experienced and emerging actors, and contact those actors who have been cast to workshop a script. If we accept you, you will get to work on at least one two-hander script, and possibly more, on the 8th of June. You must commit to the entire day of work, payment will be on the day, on a pay what you can basis.

Actors email us self-tapes HERE.

Shadow Directors – 2 Spaces Available

What you’ll get:

  • Access to the directorial process of an experienced director

  • Observational learning on actor-writer collaboration

  • A space to ask questions, reflect, and grow your own practice

To be considered as a shadow director please send us an email with a short bio (250 words) your CV and a few sentences about what you’d like to gain from the workshop. If we select you as one of the two shadow directors you must commit to the entire day of work, payment will be on the day, on a pay what you can basis.

Directors email us HERE.

This workshop was made possible by our Canadian philanthropists and a CMAG grant from Belfast City Council.