Word’s A Stage 2024 is Apples and Snakes’ poetic performance development programme aimed at poets aged 21-30, bringing together emerging talent to develop their skills and confidence and stretching their writing and performance practice.

Between 10 June – 29 July, participants will attend eight online workshops guided by various poets, performers and facilitators, to create strong 15-minute performance sets. Tutors include Malika Booker, Nick Field, Bohdan Piasecki, Myah Jeffers. Daniel Bailey, Dom Coyote and more.

Through these workshops they will explore writing focus, the editing and creative process, finding their performance style, connecting words with the audience, performance to camera and stage and how to look after their voice.

Arvon Residential

Following the online sessions, participants attend a five-day, fully funded, writing and performance residential hosted by Arvon, at The Hurst.

We’ve chosen The Hurst as it is a place where you can write, far away from daily distractions. The house and gardens, surrounded by the forest-covered Shropshire Hills, were the former home of playwright John Osborne.

Guided sessions at Arvon will be led by tutors Yomi Ṣode and Deanna Rodger.

Word’s a Stage 2024 Participants

This year we welcome the following participants: Zakariye Abdillahi, Savhanha Small Nguyen, Ayan Aden, Jerome Scott, Nathalia Khawand, Beth Kelly, Jaden Campbell, Bhumika Billa, Francis-Xavier Mukiibi, David Woolcott,  Simone Kelly, Noor Iman, Elena Chamberlain and Finola Allen.


Delivered in partnership with Arvon

Arts Council England