gateink
GateInk is the Gate's group for young writers and has been running since 2000. The membership changes each term, but the group usually consists of 8 - 10 young writers between the ages of 15-21. Many of the writer's that work with us at the Gate go on to study writing for the stage and pursue writing interests throughout their career.
The group meets at least once a week, on a weekday evening, during academic term time. Sessions consist of exercises and discussions and each term the group works towards a theatre script, either collaboratively or individually. The session leader provides support, advice and feedback for the writers as they work. At the end of each term the group's work is performed, either in a rehearsed reading or staged performance by professional actors and directors at the Gate for an invited audience.
Term projects are often linked to the themes of the Gate's current season and reflect influences from the theatre's international repertoire. We are currently in our seventeenth term and our current young writers have worked on several projects, including a collaborative radio play, several individual 10-minute pieces and last year, the group work-shopped and rehearsed a collaborative piece exploring issues of madness and identity.
When theatre can be as collaborative as being created by a group of performers, directors, designers etc, what is the role of the writer? As devised work becomes more and more prevalent in contemporary theatre, is the role of the writer becoming defunct? How can a writer bring their expertise to a collaborative devising process? Or should the writer be locked away in the garret to write in isolation? Some of the questions we hope to address through our work with GateInk.
If you are interested in being involved with GateInk or would like any more information, please contact Lynne Gagliano on lynne@gatetheatre.co.uk or call on 0207 229 5387.