Traverse Digital Writers Group: Callout
Artists & CreativesWe’re looking for 12 writers and theatre-makers from across Scotland to take part in Traverse Digital Writers, a brand-new development programme for emerging, shifting-career and mid-career artists interested in writing for digitally immersive and/or digitally site-specific performance.
Applications are now open and will close at 12pm on Monday 5 October 2026.
The Traverse Digital Writers programme will take place in two parts. In Autumn 2026, 12 selected writers will take part in a six-week workshop programme exploring different approaches to writing and making performance for digital spaces. In Spring 2027, up to six writers from the Autumn cohort will have the opportunity to undertake further R&D towards a new digital work, with dramaturgical support from Traverse Artistic Director Gareth Nicholls and Traverse Associate Artist and PhD student Emma Dorfman.
Sessions will combine in-person and online delivery, and applications are welcome from artists based anywhere in Scotland.
As part of the programme, you may also be invited to participate in research led by Emma Dorfman in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and the Traverse. Emma's research explores theatre that is made for and staged in digital spaces, including social media, mobile apps, livestreaming platforms, video games and XR platforms and technologies.
This research is funded and supported by the Scottish Graduate School for the Arts and Humanities (SGSAH). Participation in the research is optional. By taking part, you will be helping us better understand how the Traverse can support writers, theatre-makers and live performance artists interested in creating new digital work.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE PROGRAMME
During the Autumn programme, each week will explore how performance can be written and made for a different kind of digital space. Through a mixture of workshops and skills-building sessions, you'll explore existing digital theatre practice alongside approaches to digital production, dramaturgy and making work for different platforms and technologies.
Following the Autumn programme, participants will have the opportunity to apply through a light-touch application process to continue into the Spring development phase.
Up to six participants will receive one-to-one and group dramaturgical support from Gareth Nicholls and Emma Dorfman as they develop a concept for a brand-new theatrical work made for and staged in a digital space.
In August 2027, these participants will be invited to share an extract, proof of concept, prototype or other element of the work they have developed.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Traverse Digital Writers is for playwrights and performance-makers who have previously self-produced or staged at least one new performance work.
If you're not quite sure whether you would describe yourself as ‘emerging’ or ‘mid-career’, you may be exactly who we're looking for.
You might have worked entirely in ‘analogue’ or physical theatre and be curious about what digital technologies could offer your practice. Or you might already have experience experimenting with platforms, apps, video games or XR technologies in performance and want to develop your skills further.
You don't need to be a digital expert, or even a digital enthusiast. We're interested in bringing together artists with different levels of experience and different perspectives on technology, including those who want to approach digital performance from a critical or questioning perspective.
APPLY HERE
FAQS
APPLYING
Who can apply for Traverse Digital Writers?
Traverse Digital Writers is for emerging, shifting-career and mid-career playwrights and performance-makers who are interested in exploring writing for digital performance.
You might currently work entirely in live or physical theatre and be curious about digital forms, or you might already have some experience working with digital platforms and technologies and want to develop your practice further.
We are looking for applicants who have previously self-produced or staged at least one new performance work.
Do I need to consider myself an ‘emerging’ or ‘mid-career’ artist?
No. In fact, if you are not quite sure whether you would describe yourself as ‘emerging’ or ‘mid-career’, this programme may be particularly relevant to you.
The programme has been designed to support artists who can sometimes fall between traditional career-stage definitions and who would benefit from further skills development and opportunities to experiment with new forms.
Do I need to be based in Edinburgh?
No. Applications are welcome from artists based anywhere in Scotland.
The programme combines online and in-person sessions, with all in-person workshops taking place at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh.
Do I need to be available for every Autumn workshop?
You should be available for the six Autumn workshop dates listed when applying.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
What is Traverse Digital Writers?
Traverse Digital Writers is a new development programme for theatre-makers interested in writing for digitally immersive and/or digitally site-specific performance.
The programme will give participants the opportunity to explore different approaches to creating performance for digital spaces, develop new skills and learn from artists working across digital theatre practice.
How many people will take part?
Twelve writers will take part in the Autumn 2026 programme.
In Spring 2027, up to six participants will have the opportunity to undertake further research and development towards a new digital work.
How much does the programme cost?
Nothing. Traverse Digital Writers is completely free to take part in.
What will we explore during the Autumn programme?
Each week will focus on exploring how performance can be written and made for a particular kind of digital space or platform.
The workshops will introduce participants to existing practice alongside practical skills, approaches to digital theatrical production and digital dramaturgy.
What happens after the Autumn programme?
Following the Autumn workshops, participants will have the opportunity to apply through a light-touch application process for the Spring development phase.
Up to six artists will be selected to develop a concept for a brand-new theatrical work made for and staged in a digital space.
What will the Spring development involve?
The six selected participants will receive group and one-to-one dramaturgical support from Traverse Artistic Director Gareth Nicholls and Traverse Associate Artist and PhD student Emma Dorfman as they develop their work.
Participants will work towards an extract, proof of concept, prototype or other presentation of their idea.
Will I have to create a finished production?
No. The Spring phase is focused on research and development. Participants will work towards developing and testing an idea rather than being expected to create a fully realised production.
Will there be an opportunity to share the work?
Yes. Participants taking part in the Spring development phase will be invited to present an extract, proof of concept, prototype or other element of their work in August 2027.
Exact dates will be confirmed.
DATES & DELIVERY
When does the Autumn programme take place?
The Autumn programme runs across six sessions:
Monday 26 October, 7pm–9.30pm — in person
Monday 2 November, 7pm–9pm — online
Monday 9 November, 7pm–9pm — in person
Monday 16 November, 7pm–9pm — online
Monday 23 November, 7pm–9pm — online
Tuesday 1 December, 7pm–9pm — in person
Are the workshops online or in person?
The programme uses a mixture of online and in-person delivery.
Three of the Autumn workshops will take place in person at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, with the remaining three taking place online.
The Spring programme will also combine remote and in-person activity.
When will the Spring programme take place?
The Spring development phase will take place in Spring 2027. Exact timings will be agreed subject to participant availability.
Participants progressing to this phase should also be available for a final presentation in August 2027. Exact dates for this will be confirmed.
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE
Do I need experience of digital theatre or technology?
No. You do not need to have previously made digital work to apply.
You might be a playwright or performance-maker who has worked entirely in live or physical theatre but is curious about experimenting with digital forms. Equally, you might already have experience using platforms, apps, video games, XR or other technologies in your work and want to develop those skills further.
Do I need to be good with technology?
No. The programme is about exploring what digital spaces and technologies might offer your artistic practice, rather than testing your technical expertise.
I'm sceptical about technology and digital performance. Is this programme still for me?
Absolutely. You do not need to be a technology enthusiast to take part.
We are interested in a range of perspectives on digital practice, including critical approaches that question or challenge the role of technology in theatre and wider society.
OTHER
I have a question that isn't answered here. Who should I contact?
If you have a question about Traverse Digital Writers that isn't covered above, please contact Emma Dorfman at emma.dorfman@traverse.co.uk