Show Time! ESRC Genomics Forum/Traverse Theatre Resident Playwright 2011

By Alison Caldecott - Genomics Forum Press and Communications Officer

My initial reaction to the idea that the subject of genomics can inspire creative works was, I must admit, one of skepticism.  But that was before I took on my new role as communications officer for the Genomics Forum.  Before I had been introduced to the Fourm writers in residence - Ken MacLeod and Pippa Goldschmidt and had a chance to relish a collection of genomics short stories by writers who had let their imaginations go wild on the bizarre sounding Zipper, Mad/Max, Hip/Hop, and Disheveled Zinc Finger genes.

Now that I have inherited a successful poetry competition attracting entries from across the globe, and learnt about the Forums visual artist in residence Alistair Gentry and designers Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg and James King, the enthusiastic ambition of the Forum to work with a playwright seems entirely reasonable. And one that on past experience is likely to deliver some exceptional outputs.

So last week, in partnership with the Edinburgh Traverse Theatre,  I was delighted to help launch a new artistic venture to find an experienced Resident Playwright to be based within the Genomics Forum.

The hope is that working alongside Forum members, attending our events and meeting with experts and fellows across the Genomics Network will inspire the creation of a genomics related play. While the ambition is to work towards a public showing late in 2011/early 2012 we also hope to offer any interested parties access to the creative process as ideas develop and the subject of genomics is explored.

Curtain up for the residency will ideally be March 2011 and this means a tight deadline for applications – Tuesday 15 February 2011.

If you know any experienced playwrights who have had at least two professional stage productions of their plays or, if you are such a playwright who is interested in the creative challenge posed by this residency – we would love to hear from you.

Simply tell us why this Genomics/Theatre Residency is of interest and send this letter, along with a CV, to Pauleen Rafferty, Finance & Personnel Assistant, Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh EH1 2ED (or jobs@traverse.co.uk) by 5pm on 15 February 2011.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 24 February 2011.

For further information visit the Traverse Theatre website

If you have any specific questions please phone Katherine Mendelsohn, Literary Manager at the Traverse, on 0131 228 3223, or Professor Steve Yearley, Director of ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum  on 0131 651 4747.