In October 2025, Worcester Theatres and Crave Arts launched Shire Stories, a new two-year literary department project designed to inspire and support local talent across the four counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire. Shire Stories’ mission is to uncover unique perspectives from underrepresented communities through a combination of dynamic workshops and personalised feedback from professional script readers and dramaturgs. 

In November 2025, Shire Stories held the 4-week New Writers workshop course in Henry Sandon Hall at Royal Porcelain Works. Over the four weekly workshops participants learnt about plot, character creation, setting, and writing exciting dialogue and action. 

Thomas Anning, a participant at Shire Stories’ New Writers workshops said, “These workshops have been incrementally helpful in developing my skills as a writer. Being able to sit down with a group of other aspiring playwrights has given the workshops a feeling of community which has made me more confident to share my work. I would highly recommend getting involved with Shire Stories to anyone who might want to write a play!”

In December 2025, Shire Stories held a Pitch Me Perfect! workshop which was led by Sasha Damjanovski. The online workshop taught participants how writers should pitch their work to producers, directors and other creative leaders. 

At the start of 2026, the Shire Stories team welcomed new intern facilitator Julia, who prior to joining the team trained at East 15 Acting School (University of Essex). Julia Bentley, Intern Facilitator at Shire Stories said, “I feel really privileged to have joined Worcester Theatres and Crave Arts as the Shire Stories Intern Facilitator. I was born and grew up in the Midlands and feel passionately about nurturing new and established creatives from the region. It’s so exciting to be part of a project shining a light on Worcestershire’s writers.”

At the end of January, Shire Stories hosted the Writing For Young People with Aaron Corbett workshop, where creatives learnt how to write scripts for young eyes and minds, and how to create a world they can relate to, learn from, and hold their attention. Looking forward to the exciting new projects in the next 3 months, Shire Stories is launching new collaborative workshops with The Monday Night Club and Wallace House Community Centre in Evesham. 

In addition to providing high-quality interactive online and in-person workshops, Shire Stories also offers support to writers who are in the process of writing plays. Shire Stories is happy to accept script submissions from writers who would like support and feedback to develop their writers’ journey. To submit a script please email ShireStories@worcestertheatres.co.uk by Tuesday 31 March 2026, with information such as your contact details, how you would like the team to help you, and the main concept of your script and why you have chosen to write it. 

Jonathan Campbell, a Worcestershire writer said, “Critical feedback is hard to find which is why I’m so positive about the Shire Stories project. Send in a script, or part of a script, have it read by a professional and get detailed analysis! What’s not to like? I am so pleased that this has opened up on our doorstep. Can’t recommend Shire Stories enough.”