The Royal Court theatre is in the final stages of its search for a successor to Vicky Featherstone, the outgoing artistic director, while Rufus Norris recently confirmed his departure from the National Theatre. Artistic directors across various venues are on the move, raising concerns for playwrights who are in the process of writing commissions for these theaters. They are left wondering if the new artistic directors will appreciate their work or if they will need to find a different home for their plays. The uncertainty and constant changes have shed light on a troubling trend in how playwrights have been treated over the past decade.
Earlier this year, a playwright shared a letter at the Stage newspaper’s Future of Theatre conference. This letter, which represented a common experience, described three years of writing and developing a play with support from an Arts Council-funded theater, only to be met with silence for an entire year. The playwright questioned how they could continue to find the motivation to write when there was little chance of production and even less chance of engaging the theater in meaningful discussions about their work. They felt ignored and ghosted.
This story sparked a wider conversation within the theater community, with many sharing their own experiences of discourteous and unprofessional treatment from theaters. Tim Crouch, known for plays like “An Oak Tree” and “The Author,” highlighted the common excuse of theaters being too busy to respond. He argued that if theaters couldn’t treat writers with basic courtesy, they should reorganize and prioritize better.
Established playwrights with impressive credentials shared their frustrations as well. Bea Roberts, winner of the Theatre503 International Playwriting award, expressed her disappointment at being treated as disposable despite dedicating years to her work. Tanika Gupta, a renowned playwright, reflected on the humiliation she felt after decades of writing for theater. Ryan Craig, author of “What We Did to Weinstein” and “Charlotte and Theodore,” lamented how theaters have lost sight of their importance in the cultural conversation, leading them to follow rather than lead.
Given the challenges faced by playwrights, it becomes questionable why they would choose theater over TV. The television industry is currently experiencing a golden age, with significant investments and opportunities for talented dramatists. TV executives often engage with writers in a timely and respectful manner, and the financial rewards are typically much better. The advantages theater once held, such as artistic freedom and quick production times, have diminished. As Martin McDonagh observed, getting a film made can now be as fast as staging a play.
The mistreatment of playwrights is a widespread issue in theaters, with many witnessing a culture of disrespect. This not only harms individual careers but also prevents valuable artistic works from reaching audiences. The consequences can be severe, as some playwrights have been left feeling worthless and even suicidal due to the soul-crushing treatment they have endured.
Theaters may attribute their current difficulties to the pandemic, but they themselves have become preoccupied with curating their seasons instead of championing artists’ visions. Subsidized new writing theaters often have a large number of plays under commission or in development, creating choices for management. However, this can result in prolonged decision-making processes and a lack of support for playwrights.
In conclusion, the treatment of playwrights in the theater industry has reached a critical point. The lack of respect, timely communication, and genuine support from theaters have led many playwrights to question their commitment to the craft. With the allure of the television industry and its greater opportunities and respect for writers, theaters must reevaluate their practices to foster an environment that values and uplifts playwrights. Otherwise, they risk losing talented individuals and the vibrant voices they bring to the cultural landscape.
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