National Award for Octagon Associate Director

27 Oct 2011

The annual Writers’ Guild of Great Britain have acknowledged Elizabeth Newman, Associate Director at the Octagon, in recognition for her contribution towards encouraging fresh talent. The prestigious Writers’ Guild New Writing Encouragement Award was created to acknowledge individuals who have given a writer an especially positive and enriching experience in developing new writing for the theatre.

Elizabeth was nominated by all the writers of Incubate, the New Writing group of playwrights on attachment at the Octagon.

The Incubate writers commented on what prompted them to nominate Elizabeth for the award: “Elizabeth is responsible for the New Writing department at the Octagon and since her arrival two years ago has brought a freshness and vitality to the theatre which has had a huge impact not only on individual writers but on the theatre as a whole.

She has set up Incubate for experienced writers and created some unique opportunities for its members, including showcasing our work with professional actors on a regular basis and commissioning the group to write the next Octagon Christmas show.

Elizabeth has also recently inaugurated a young people’s writing group, Generate, and is establishing a buddy system between the senior and junior writers at the theatre, which is proving very beneficial to both groups.”

On learning that she had been selected Elizabeth commented: “I’m extremely honoured that the Incubate writers nominated me for the award and delighted to have been selected. Managing the New Writing Department is such a joy for me, it's a pleasure to work with so many talented writers and to develop their work at the Octagon.”

An awards ceremony will take place at the Royal Court Theatre in London in November where the Awards will be presented.