We are delighted to announce the launch of Clean Break’s Commissioning Circle, an exclusive community of supporters who share our passion for discovering and nurturing the next generation of exceptional women playwrights.
Clean Break has been at the forefront of championing new writing by women since 1979; amplifying underrepresented voices and transforming stories into powerful theatre that sparks change.
Supporters who join our Commissioning Circle will directly invest in emerging writers and contribute to the creation of new plays that challenge, inspire, and make a real difference – while connecting with some of the UK’s most exciting playwrights and gaining behind-the-scenes access to the creative processes.
Clean Break's commissioning process is unique. Over a number of years, each writer is fully immersed in our work – connecting with our team, delivering workshops in our studios in Kentish Town, in prisons, and in the community - which in turn deepens their understanding of the experiences of women who are criminalised and unlocks the stories which form their commission.
Underpinned by outstanding dramaturgical support, many writers describe their Clean Break commission as a key formative experience. Clean Break Patron and Commissioning Circle founding member and Olivier Award winning playwright, Lucy Kirkwood, says of her commission: “It inspired and sustained me creatively in brilliant and unexpected ways… [I was] afforded rare and very special chances to push myself as a writer, in ways which aren’t possible elsewhere.”
The Commissioning Circle is the newest supporter's scheme from Clean Break which centres artistic work. It complements our long running ‘Take Your Seat’ scheme, which gives supporters the opportunity to fund theatre trips for Clean Break Members - helping to remove the barriers many women in our Membership face when accessing the arts.
On 22 October, we will be celebrating the launch of our new scheme with an exclusive event for Commissioning Circle members, and those who are interested in joining and want to learn more. The event will be co-hosted with Lucy Kirkwood, Artistic Director, Anna Herrmann will provide exclusive insights on our artistic process and pipeline of artists, and Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti will share insights from her personal experience as a writer currently on commission with Clean Break.
If you are interested in joining our Commissioning Circle, or contributing to Take Your Seat, please contact Hannah Jackson, Development Manager hannah.jackson@cleanbreak.org.uk to join or learn more.
Supporters are requested to contribute a minimum of £1,000 per year to join Clean Break’s Commissioning Circle.
