7/9/2016

Why you should apply for Street Voices!

A short blog post from Chris O’Connor, a writer from Street Voices 5, on why you should apply!

 

Trying to make it as a writer is a particularly daunting proposition. People will doubt you, you will doubt you and the prospect of getting any sort of success will seem remote at best. That is how I felt anyway. I’d done a fantastic MA in Writing at the University of Leeds and had a few competition wins under my belt but could never seem to get onto the next level. That’s where Street Voices 5 came in.

Street Voices 5 was honestly one of the best things I have ever done in my life. It got me back into the habit of writing regularly and it was so great to be around a group of like-minded people, all with unique and interesting stories to tell. The workshops, led by Aisha Khan, were brilliantly structured and focused on a different area of the writing process each time, and having established writers like Mark Catley and Mick Martin come in and talk to us was invaluable.

As part of the course we wrote a short piece which we spent a few sessions developing with a director and professional actors. I think every writer will tell you that there is nothing more satisfying then seeing your words brought to life and being able to work with industry professionals was a fantastic learning experience. The process culminated in a showing of our work at Freedom Studios and it was so nice to put our work on its feet in front of a live audience.

As a result of being on the course I’ve managed to get funding for a one man show which is currently touring with Red Ladder, as well as a commission on another project with Buglight Theatre Company. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am without Street Voices. It really did reinvigorate me and inspire me to keep trying to get that break. If you’re reading this and you’ve got a story you’ve always wanted to tell, if you’ve thought you could never make it as a writer or if you’ve always wanted to give it a go but never had the opportunity then Street Voices is for you!

Apply here.

Do it.