Writer chosen by Leeds Playhouse to join groundbreaking programme for female playwrights

Leeds Playhouse is one of 15 theatre organisations across the country to have joined forces with Sphinx Theatre, the UK’s longest established women’s theatre company.

Each theatre will co-fund a female playwright as part of The Sphinx Lab, a ground-breaking new programme launched as part of Sphinx’s 30th anniversary. An additional 15 female playwrights have been selected via an open call to ensure writers at all stages of their careers are included.

Gemma’s relationship with Leeds Playhouse began in 2018 when she was a winner of Airplays, an award that saw her write a radio play for live performance and broadcast on BBC Radio Leeds. Since then, Gemma has been part of Fuse – a Leeds Playhouse artist development programme supporting local playwrights.

The Sphinx Lab - which aims to become an ongoing initiative - was designed by Sphinx’s Literary Director Jennifer Tuckett, based on her work with Yale School of Drama and the Women’s Project (WP) Lab in America.

James Brining, artistic director and Joint CEO at Leeds Playhouse, said: “Sphinx’s pioneering practise for the last 30 years has been inspirational within the theatre sector and Leeds Playhouse is proud to be working with them and an exciting range of partners, to increase opportunities for women writing for main stages across the UK.”

The 30 playwrights will receive a £1,000 seed commission and attend the Sphinx Lab. Tutors will include Winsome Pinnock and Timberlake Wertenbaker. The initiative is additionally supported by Arts Council England funding.