Theatre as Therapy: Writing from Personal Experience
A workshop led by Leo Butler.
Many of the most powerful plays begin with something personal: a memory, a family story, a moment that won’t let go. In this one-day workshop, participants will be guided to excavate lived experience and transform it into dramatic writing.
Through practical exercises and discussion, the day will focus on turning private material into theatrical form – finding shape, tension and voice in real experience. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have created a short scene or monologue.
The workshop is held in a safe, supportive and confidential environment. Participants choose their own level of disclosure, and care is taken throughout the process.
A full-day, practical workshop, led by Marlowe Theatre Dramaturg Leo Butler (Boy). Open to all – no prior experience required.
Leo Butler
Born and raised in Sheffield, Leo Butler is an award-winning playwright. His plays include Made of Stone, Redundant (winner of the George Devine Award 2001), Lucky Dog, Faces in the Crowd – all staged at the Royal Court – and I’ll Be the Devil (RSC), All You Need is LSD (Birmingham Rep), Alison! A Rock Opera (King’s Head/Royal Court], Woyzeck (Birmingham Rep), Innocent Creatures (NT Connections), and the critically acclaimed Boy (Almeida).
His newest play, Living, was produced at Sheffield Playhouse earlier this year. His debut book, Notes from a Working-Class Playwright, was published by Bloomsbury last year.
For 10 years, Leo ran the Royal Court’s Young Writers’ Programme, discovering and mentoring a new generation of acclaimed playwrights. He now serves as the Marlowe Theatre’s Dramaturg.