THE Mercury Theatre says it is ‘thrilled’ to announce its all new playwrights, producers and directors cohort for its 2022/23 artist development programme.

The programme supports new talent, nurturing ground-breaking local theatre makers.

The new instalment of talent follows the theatre’s successful year prior where it offered support and development to its 2021/22 alumni.

The programme provides participants with time and space for researching, exploring and testing ideas, allowing the theatre to aid local talent.

The Mercury Theatre will provide this year’s cohort with rigorous training in playwriting, producing and directing, whilst providing them with space to perform and platform their voices on stage.

Ryan McBryde, creative director of the Mercury Theatre, highlighted the importance of the scheme for local creatives.

He said: “The success of our Mercury playwrights, producers and directors scheme has proved to us how vital it is that regional theatres support local artists.

“These creative programmes are an integral part of supporting our freelance regional community and creating work for the future.

“This means that we can continue to be a source of innovation for audiences and artists across the East.”

Dilek Latif, talent development producer for the Mercury Theatre said: “Throughout all three programmes classes will be supported by some of the best writers, producers and directors in the business.

“As I know first-hand from building my career as a producer at the Mercury, there is no comparison to learning to shape your talent and your art with such supportive feedback from a broad variety of talented professionals.”

Gail Egbeson, former Mercury playwright, said: “Being part of Mercury Playwrights has aided me in more ways than I could imagine.”

This year’s Mercury playwrights have been confirmed as David Holland, Eilish Mullane, Emma Zadow, John Webber, Lydia Sabatini, Rohan Gotobed, Thomas Edwards, Tom Murray and Vanessa Ackerman.

This year’s Mercury producers cohort has been confirmed as Bea Svistunenko, Claire Gilbert, Lydia Idakula and Marco Young.

This year’s Mercury directors cohort has been confirmed as Elinor Dunton, Jane Prinsley, Jasmine Skingle, Matthew Jewson, Neetu Singh and Nicola Pollard.