I count myself really lucky to play make-believe for a living!

‘Laura is able to communicate at all levels and is able to enthuse and inspire young writers. I have always found her to be extremely well prepared, adaptable and versatile in her approach. Laura's workshops are always fun, differentiated and exciting.' 
Andy Thorpe, Director of Arts at Bushfield Community College, Peterborough

Scriptwriting and Drama Workshops:

Writing can be a lonely pastime but it doesn’t have to be. My workshops focus on collaborative writing with students working in groups to create a short play. These plays can then be performed at the end of the workshop. I usually begin my workshops with a drama activity to kick-start imaginations and energy!

I examine story structure, character and dialogue, providing comprehensive worksheets for the students and staff. My aim for each workshop is for every student to feel a sense of achievement at the end of the day, as well as developing vital skills such as teamwork and communication. Having a performance to aim for gives the task a focus and is a crucial illustration of what scriptwriting is all about. I encourage lots of discussion throughout the day as well feedback after the performance.

I am keen for young writers to learn about scriptwriting and view it as an accessible hobby or career path. I encourage all my young writers to be ambitious and brave with their storytelling- no play idea is considered too outlandish provided it is executed properly.

Other workshop info:

I am happy to work with a wide range of abilities in either a Primary or Secondary School. The youngest year group that I usually work with is Year 3.

I usually spend the whole day with one group, but I can do a shorter workshop with a number of groups if the school requires it.

I am happy to link my workshops in with current themes in the curriculum or to devise something myself.

Background:

I became a freelance scriptwriter six years ago. Before that time I worked for BBC Radio Drama and BBC Television Drama (I was a Script Editor and then Story Editor for EastEnders).

Writing credits include episodes for EastEnders, Casualty and an Afternoon Play, Nightcap, for Radio 4. I also created an original television series, The Edge, which was developed as part of the Lighthouse Screenwriting Programme.

Last year I was awarded funding from The Arts Council to write a theatre play, Golden Hour working with Menagerie Theatre Company and Gomito Productions. The play had a rehearsed reading at The Junction in Cambridge. Previous theatre work has received performances, workshops and readings at Soho Theatre (London), ADC Theatre Bar (Cambridge), Corpus Christi Playrooms (Cambridge), The Junction (Cambridge) and The Kings Theatre (Newmarket).

I have extensive experience running school workshops and was writer in residence for a year at St. Felix Middle School in Newmarket. I have also run various writing projects for charities including Action For Children, Red Balloon Learner Centre and Suffolk Artlink.

Location:

I’m based in Cambridgeshire, very near to the borders of Suffolk and Norfolk so am happy to travel anywhere within these counties. I’m also prepared to travel to Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and London. I could do parts of Surrey and Kent.