Future `Makers Writing Workshops

WORDfest Crawley began in 2011. We are a grassroots cultural organisation, we plan the festival for our local community and beyond to celebrate words in their myriad forms; written, read, spoken, heard. We’re really excited by this year’s programme. We have an eclectic mixture from family events, crime fiction, quiz, live performances, poetry, and so much in between.We'd love for you to join us!

WORDfest Crawley

Join Theatre Centre for three FREE creative writing workshops for 14-21 year olds

Theatre Centre

WORDfest is delighted to partner with Theatre Centre to deliver three amazing writing workshops aimed at 14 - 21 year olds. We’re proud to work with some of the most exciting voices in contemporary theatre, and we believe their expertise will make these sessions truly inspiring for young people.Each of these three sessions will be led by an award-winning professional writer, supporting participants to explore key elements of creative writing through interactive exercises and discussion. Each workshop will focus on a different aspect of storytelling to help writers develop confidence and craft. These workshop themes could include:Character Development – Building authentic, compelling voicesStorytelling – Crafting narratives that resonatePlot Development – Structuring stories for maximum impactEach workshop will be led by Eleanor Manners, our Artistic Director, alongside one of our Resident Writers Zia Ahmed, Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini, and Christopher York.“I've gained (perspective), increased confidence, found my love of poetry and writing, the opportunity of meeting an inspiring, wonderful group of people, grown to feel like a young leader, who feels more passionately outspoken and eager to change the world for the better...the list goes on!”Young ParticipantAbout Theatre CentreTheatre Centre is known nationally for excellence in nurturing writers at breakthrough career points, providing specialist dramaturgical support, mentoring, and commissions. Our productions tour schools and theatres across the UK, and our Future Makers programme ensures young people are at the heart of everything we do.In March, our Resident Writers will be embedded in Future Makers spaces, listening to and working with young people. They will draw inspiration from these interactions to pitch new stories for potential commission stories that reflect contemporary realities and speak directly to young people.Recent successes include Debris Stevenson’s residency, which led to the development of My Brother’s a Genius, premiering at Creative Crawley’s County Mall space in March 2026.Our Resident WritersMatilda Feyiṣayọ IbiniMatilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini is a multi-award-winning, bionic writer and filmmaker of Nigerian heritage from East London. Her debut play Muscovado won the Alfred Fagon Audience Award, and her style often blends sci-fi, political commentary and dark comedy.Christopher YorkA Yorkshire-born playwright whose rhythmic, raw writing is rooted in working-class storytelling. His debut play Build A Rocket premiered to critical acclaim, and his work often draws on music and poetic verse. Christopher’s practice is passionate, inventive, and deeply connected to regional voices.Zia AhmedZia Ahmed is a poet and playwright whose debut play I Wanna Be Yours premiered at the Bush Theatre in 2019. His work explores identity, belonging and power, with recent projects including Peaceophobia and Public Interest.Our Artistic DirectorEleanor MannersEleanor is a director, voice coach and facilitator with over a decade of experience creating theatre and leading engagement projects. She collaborates with young people, communities and artists to make dynamic and socially engaged work.Her Directing credits include Jack Frost and the Search for Winter (Tutti Frutti, National Tour) and Associate Director roles on Oliver! and Wizard of Oz at Leeds Playhouse, Glass Ceiling Beneath the Stars (Bric à Brac, Edinburgh Fringe) and The Odyssey: The Cyclops (National Theatre Public Acts, CAST).Her Voice credits include working with Royal Court, Chanel 4, Leeds Playhouse, Young Vic, Theatre Peckham, Company Three, Talawa Theatre Company, Donmar Warehouse, The Bridge Theatre, Northern Stage, Old Vic, Shakespeare North Playhouse, Kiln.She regularly teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music &amp; Drama and Leeds Conservatoire. She has sat on the bord of Pilot Theatre &amp; The Heard. She previously led the Youth Theatre team at Leeds Playhouse.

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Future `Makers Writing Workshops

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Future `Makers Writing Workshops

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