Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival

Fresh Ink is a new theatre festival designed to support writers from Hull to create and develop new plays in the city.

Inspired by “scratch” theatre nights, the focus will be on performing early versions of new ideas to audiences and gathering feedback to support the next stages of their development.

The first festival in 2024 will be a pilot, with six commissions of varying sizes up for grabs. Applications are now open.

Middle Child would like to thank our founding partners Wykeland and the J F Brignall Charitable Trust for their trust and support in making the festival a reality.

Key Dates

Writer applications open

Thursday 16 November 2023

Writer applications close

Monday 8 January 2024

Writers announced

March 2024

Pilot festival

July 2024

Paul Smith, a white man in his mid-thirties with short light brown hair, in a dark blue sweater arms folded

Introduction

Artistic director Paul Smith, writes about the need, inspiration and ambition for the festival, and our promises to artists and audiences.

Commissions

Everything you need to know about the six different commissions, and how you can apply before the deadline of Monday 8 January 2024.

FAQ

Currently aimed at writers and theatre makers, this FAQ will expand to include audience questions as we get into the thick of planning.

Writers

Please contact literary manager, Matthew May.

Other production roles

Please contact senior producer, Sarah Penney.

Sponsorship and partnerships

Please contact senior producer, Sarah Penney.

Press and marketing

Please contact audience development manager, Jamie Potter.

Get involved

If you are an independent artist or company and would like to get involved beyond our six commissions, such as by sharing an existing performance or script in-development, please get in touch using this online form.

Tell us more

Your dream festival

Share your vision of a dream new writing festival. All ideas suggested via this online form will be considered as we design and build Fresh Ink over the coming years.

Tell us more

Related projects

Middle Child offer development opportunities and workshops throughout the year, while our rehearsal space and writing room are also available to hire.