The A. M. Qattan Foundation in partnership with the British Council and the Royal Court Theatre in Britain hosted playwrights and specialists from the Royal Court Theatre to conduct a training programme aimed at developing the capacities of young playwrights in Palestine.
Twelve young writers from various regions of Palestine participated in the first workshop which was held between 12 and 18 November in Bethlehem. This constituted phase one of the training programme that is to be implemented over a two year period.
The workshop involved individual and group sessions, during which time was assigned for writing. The workshop was designed to meet the needs of each writer, to explore individual interests and ultimately to ask each writer to outline an idea for a contemporary play. Writers will present first drafts in February 2014.
The plays will be assessed, analysed and developed through workshops and individual mentorship by well-known British writers. Readings of the plays are planned for the last phase of the project.