Worcester Theatres has announced a partnership with Crave Arts to launch a new and exciting literary department named Shire Stories.

Shire Stories will revolutionise new writing in the West Midlands by opening doors for emerging, established, and diverse voices. The mission is to uncover unique perspectives from underrepresented communities, and nurture talent through a combination of dynamic workshops and personalised feedback from professional script readers and dramaturgs. There is an opportunity for select scripts to be brought to life on stage at the Swan Theatre for the summer showcase in 2026.

The project’s aim is to develop and sustain local creative talent that reside in the four counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcestershire. The partnership between the two organisations will encourage connectivity in the literary, and creative arts communities between the four rural counties through workshops and script development support.

The Shire Stories team will be offering a mixture of both in-person and online workshops on a variety of topics with the first 4-week course ‘Writing for the stage’ starting at 7pm on 4 November 2025. Over four weekly workshops participants will learn about plot, how to create characters, where to set their play, and how to write exciting dialogue and action. Each weekly workshop is priced at £10, or £35 for the entire 4-week course. Tickets can be purchased online on the Worcester Theatres website, or through the Box Office team in-person or on 01905 611 427.

Shire Stories are happy to accept script submissions from writers that would like support and feedback to develop their writers’ journey. To submit a script please email ShireStories@worcestertheatres.co.uk by 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.

Steve Wilson and Debbie Birch, Co-Directors of Crave Arts said, “We are so excited to begin work on Shire Stories. We see this project as an outcome of all our joint projects with Worcester Theatres. We can't wait to work with all our partners and future participants. Thank you to the Arts Council England for funding this great project.”

Owen Harper, Creative Producer at Worcester Theatres said, “Worcester Theatres is delighted to announce that we can continue our work in championing rurally based writers through Shire Stories. We've been working in partnership with Crave Arts for over 4 years now, and can't wait to see this project flourish. We want to thank Arts Council England for their support. If you have a story you want to tell, then we want to hear it!”

For more information and updates about Shire Stories please visit worcestertheatres.co.uk/get-involved/shire-stories or follow Worcester Theatres on social media.