New Royal Exchange Northern Award

NEW AWARD ANNOUNCED FOR EMERGING THEATRE DIRECTORS

Details have today been announced of The Royal Exchange Theatre Hodgkiss Award - a new award for emerging theatre directors providing those with a passion for new work a significant platform to develop it.

The award is the only scheme of its kind in the north that celebrates the unique collaboration between a writer and director.  It offers a theatre maker of outstanding promise the chance to direct a new piece of work – by a writer of their choice – in a production fully supported by the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester in 2014. 

Actor Christopher Eccleston and award-winning playwright, Rona Munro will be joined by Bush Theatre Artistic Director, Madani Younis and Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange Theatre, Sarah Frankcom on the judging panel. Also on the panel will be Sue Hodgkiss, local business woman and philanthropist, whose support has made this inaugural award possible. 

Applications can be submitted online from Monday 8 April until Saturday 18 May. Five candidates will be shortlisted and will be asked to attend an interview and work-sharing day on Saturday 29th June at the Royal Exchange Theatre. The successful Director will be announced at 7pm that evening.

Royal Exchange Theatre Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom said: 'The creation of new work and the collaboration between the director and writer is at the heart of the theatre-making process. The Royal Exchange Theatre is excited by the potential of this award to introduce new voices, explore new ways of making work collaboratively and engage with the modern world.' 

Judging panel member Madani Younis said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to be one of the judges for the inaugural Royal Exchange Hodgkiss Emerging Directors Award.   The Award offers a unique opportunity for theatre-makers to be bold and imaginative and potentially to work with the Royal Exchange Theatre and I am looking forward to joining my fellow judges in discovering and supporting new theatre-makers.'