Creative hub for actors and writers set to open in Gateshead this July
New space will support North East talent with performances and workshops
A new space dedicated to supporting actors and writers in the North East will open its doors in Gateshead this July.
The North East Acting and Writing Hub is set to be launched by ANBOC Ltd, a film company founded in the region, at Gateway Studio CIO on Gateshead High Street.
The initiative aims to fill a gap in the region's creative scene by offering playwrights an opportunity to have their work performed to a live audience, while providing actors with a professional stage.
The project has backing from Gateshead Council and is funded through the North East Combined Authority (NECA).
Steve Wraith, a well-known local actor and writer, is one of the co-founders.
“There is a wealth of creative talent in the North East but a lack of opportunities for those creatives to express themselves," said Steve Wraith.
He added that Gateshead Council had supported the project from its inception.
He and the other founders, Catarina De Cezanne (an award-winning screenwriter, director, and filmmaker) and Neil Jackson (a producer and filmmaker), bring a wealth of experience to the scheme.
The hub has already drawn interest, with six rehearsed readings scheduled for plays between July and December.
“As a scriptwriter it is so important to hear your words performed by others. I am so pleased that from July we can help local writers with this,” Catarina De Cezanne said.
The plays selected reflect the diversity of voices and stories spanning the North East.
“We have had a great response and already have a diverse selection of plays for our audiences to enjoy. All of our playwrights and performers will receive a fee for the performance, and we are looking to expand this scheme across the region in 2027,” Neil Jackson added.
Looking beyond Gateshead, the organisers plan to offer additional events and workshops throughout the North East.
The Hub’s model, which compensates both writers and performers for their contributions, is a core part of its mission to value creative efforts at all levels.
For enquiries, interested parties can contact [email protected] , while tickets and event information are available at www.anbocltd.com .