Young writers inspired to put pen to paper

The Arena Theatre, University of Wolverhampton, is launching a competition for young writers across the local region.

The Monologuers: Young Writers’ Challenge gives 8 to 18 year olds the chance to get their work shown on the Arena Theatre’s stage with the help and guidance of professional directors, professional actors and staff at the theatre.

Until Thursday 30 April 2020, young people can submit their monologues. From these submissions, four lucky winners will be chosen to have their work produced by the Arena Theatre and showcased for one night only. The date of the performance is currently to be confirmed.

The monologue can be on any topic to encourage young people to be as imaginative as they like. The only conditions of the competition are that monologues are a maximum of six pages long, and young people must also live in one of the following constituencies: Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Stafford, Hereford or Telford. Young people are also only allowed to submit one monologue each.

Neil Reading, Artistic Director, Arena Theatre, said: “We’re hoping that during this time of lockdown that we can inspire young people to get creative by writing a play for one for our stage. When we’re able to open the theatre again, we’ll choosefour of these entries and put them on stage with a professional company and cast."

“As part of the University of Wolverhampton, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for everyone and what better opportunity than to have a fully professional production of your writing at the Arena Theatre.”

For more information – and to apply – visit: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre/get-involved/monologuers/

If you have any queries, please contact the Arena Theatre directly on arena@wlv.ac.uk