Pentabus today announces Jerwood Foundation support for the 2025 Pentabus Writer in Residence Bursary, and the opening of applications.

This £12,000 bursary supports a playwright in the early stage of their career, providing them the opportunity to spend up to a year writing at Pentabus in South Shropshire. During their time with Pentabus, the recipient will be supported to write at least one new full-length play or piece of theatre, while learning more about how a professional theatre company works.

Jerwood Foundation are providing £40,000 in funding over two years to fund the Bursary, which includes £8,000 per year to assist the process of finding and supporting the writer. The £12,000 Bursary is an increase of £2,000 from previous bursaries, recognising the increased cost of living and need to support artists of all levels at a financially challenging time.

Previous Writers in Residence include Laura Waldren and Henry Madd (2023), Florence Espuet-Nickless (2021/22), Tom Powell (2020/21), Sophie Ellerby (2018/19), Tim Foley (2017), Joe White (2016) and Simon Longman (2015).

Pentabus was a recipient of the Channel Four Writer in Residence Bursary for three years in a row until 2017. In 2018, they were awarded a grant from the Clive Richards Foundation to continue to support a Writer in Residence for four years. In 2023, Pentabus secured additional support from Film4 and the Peggy Ramsay Foundation to host an additional Writer in Residence.

To apply, click here

Key dates:
- Application deadline: Mon 22 July
- Shortlist Interviews 1 – Online the week of 7 November
- Shortlist Interviews 2 – In-person at Pentabus the week of 14 November
- Jerwood Writer in Residence will start their residency from December 2024