A Screenwriting Workshop with James McDermott

Shorts, Features and TV: A Screenwriting Workshop with James McDermott In this interactive writing workshop, you will learn skills to help you create, plan, write, redraft and pitch projects for short films, features and TV. Participants will also get a chance to workshop their ideas and receive advice on funding, agents, self-producing and much more besides. The workshop will be led by scriptwriter James McDermott whose short plays for INK include 'Beached', 'Steam', 'Love Me Tinder' and 'Mixed Up'. James's plays published by Samuel French include 'Jab' (Finborough Theatre), 'Time & Tide' (Park Theatre/Tour) and 'Rubber Ring' (Pleasance Islington/Tour). James has written multiple episodes of 'EastEnders' and his short film 'Clause', nominated for Best East Anglian Film at Norwich Film Festival 2023, was part of the official selection at British Shorts Berlin 2023, Italy Lover's Film Festival 2023 and Queer Wave Cyprus LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2023. James is an Arvon writing tutor and lecturer in creative writing at the University of East Anglia.

THE PLEASURES AND PITFALLS OF WRITING FOR RADIO
Jan Etherington has spent 40 years writing multi award winning radio and television comedy, often with her husband Gavin Petrie. Their first Radio 4 series SECOND THOUGHTS began in 1988 and Jan's latest solo success is CONVERSATIONS FROM A LONG MARRIAGE, starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. A 6th series begins on Radio 4 next month. Jan will share her advice...including how to avoid Harry the Explainer... and answer your questions, on how to write comedy for her favourite medium...Radio!

Improv Comedy Workshop with Joe McArdle

Ready to think fast, laugh hard, and unleash your inner comedy genius? Join award-winning comedian, writer, and master improviser Joe McArdle for a free, fun, and fast-paced improv workshop that’ll sharpen your wit, boost your confidence, and help you own the stage like a pro. Whether you’re a budding comic or just want to break free from overthinking, this session is all about quick thinking, big laughs, and zero pressure. Get out of your head and into the moment—because in improv, there are no mistakes, only punchlines! Free workshop

Workshop Leader Joe McArdle is a twice BAFTA-nominated comedian, writer, and improviser who has made waves across stand-up, TV, radio, and film. A seasoned performer, he has toured the UK with his stand-up, delivering sharp, quick-witted comedy that leaves audiences in stitches. Off-stage, Joe is a prolific writer, crafting comedy for Channel 4, BBC, BBC Radio 4, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. As a co-writer for award-winning satirist Munya Chawawa, he’s helped create viral, razor-sharp sketches that have amassed over 1 billion views worldwide. His work spans theatre, radio, television, and film, proving his versatility in the ever-evolving world of comedy. With a deep understanding of what makes people laugh—whether on stage or behind the scenes—Joe is the perfect guide to help you boost your confidence, sharpen your comedic instincts, and embrace the unpredictability of improv.

Join Martha Loader for a practical workshop on how to get your play noticed by the industry. From script competitions to approaching new writing theatres, how can you make your work stand out from the crowd? We’ll look at how to hook in your initial reader; those crucial first 10 pages; who to approach with your work; how to go about self-producing; and how the process of script development works. An informal and playful deep dive into the nuts and bolts of playwriting as a profession.

Martha is an award-winning writer, actor and producer. Her work has been performed across the UK and internationally. She won the Judges Award at the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, 2022.

She has been involved with INK for many years as an actor, writer and facilitator. Even winning their ‘Promising Young Playwright’ (in the days she could still claim to be ‘young’). She is currently working on commissions with the Almeida Theatre, New Wolsey Theatre and Menagerie Theatre Company and recently undertook the prestigious 4Screenwriting and BBC Voices programmes. She was nominated as a writer for The Stage Debut Awards 2024 for her play Bindweed.