Drama Society: New Writing Officer

Hi, I’m Matt, and I’m not going to tell you the pandemic is more fuel for creativity. Instead, in my role as the New Writings Officer, I will support UCL’s writers to push themselves and challenge audiences, making amazing work in response to everything that’s happened – or not, maybe we should just forget this whole thing, and… retrain? I’d like to incorporate a multiplatform approach if next year provides similar challenges. I’ve worked for a couple years as a film actor, and I will bring my knowledge of other mediums to the role. I will be realistic about what can or can’t be done, whilst supporting and helping to find solutions. I will work closely with the events team to organise writing workshops as well as regular meetings for our community of writers to share and explore ideas. The New Writing Festival will be at the heart of my approach and I hope to make it HUGE this coming year to make up for, well, everything. In particular I’d like to support students from underrepresented backgrounds and help create meaningful art, serious or silly! I will support our writers through all stages of the creative and bidding process ensuring that they feel safe and listened to at all times, making myself available for one-on-one sessions. I have been involved as an actor in creating and writing shows in London, having performed at The New Diorama, RADA and countless pub-venues (oh the joys!) as well as organising play-making workshops with young actors back home in Leeds.