“Packing in a younger audience”
- OBSERVER
‘Poleroid are an energising force and have a big future ahead of them as provocateurs, alchemists, creatives and producers. Amongst a new wave of companies exploring new ways of making and presenting theatre, Poleroid stands out as an innovator with the ideas and the passion to shake things up and make things happen.’
- James Grieve (Former Joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough)
Poleroid are a multi-award winning new writing theatre company giving platforms to exceptional early career artists. We produce eclectic, multi-disciplinary new plays by the UK's most fast-rising stage and screen writers, whilst supporting undiscovered talent and emerging artist development through our accessible new writing events, workshops and participation opportunities.
We believe that people learn through doing and set frameworks for artists to connect, showcase and develop their skills in a generous, supportive environment.
We explore the dark undercurrents of contemporary life from the perspective of those on the margins whose stories we rarely get to hear. Through our collaborative method we nurture dynamic & atmospheric new work that is committed to engaging new, younger audiences with theatre.
Amongst many other artists, we have produced work by Vinay Patel (writer of BBC’s Murdered By My Father), Kenneth Emson (BAFTA nominated, winner of the Adrienne Benham and OffWestEnd Adopt A Playwright awards), Brad Birch (recipient of the 2016 Pinter Commission from the Royal Court), Luke Barnes (Old Vic New Voices Award winner for Chapel Street) and Phoebe Eclair-Powell (Channel 4 Bursary recipient and Writer in Residence at Soho Theatre).
We are dedicated to connecting with the communities our work is born from and providing entry level artists with tools & opportunities to help them springboard into the industry in a proactive, positive way. We offer:
Industry lead open workshops for emerging professionals with our PLAY IN programme
PARTICIPATION opportunities connected to our productions for local communities & young people
LECTURES & MASTERCLASSES centred around Theatre Making & Professional Development at a range of leading Drama Schools, Universities, Colleges & Arts Organisations
We also produce WRITE IT : MIC IT an acclaimed eclectic performance platform which has given opportunities to hundreds of established and emerging artists from across the UK since 2012. It has been hosted across the country at the Paines Plough Roundabout, Live Theatre, Vault Festival, Hackney Attic, Ritzy Cinema, Castle Hotel Manchester, Wilderness Festival, Standon Calling and more.
"Poleroid is a brilliant and innovative new writing company"
- Justin Audibert (Artistic Director, Chichester Festival Theatre)
“Poleroid Theatre are a fantastic champion of new writing and new writers. I have worked with them on the development of a new play and also had work produced at their Write It : Mic It events, and through both experiences can only commend them on the professionalism
and ambition. They are risk takers and forward thinkers; what more can you ask from atheatre company.”
- Kenneth Emson (BBC/Royal Court)
“Poleroid offer unique and practical opportunities that are extremely rare to find in the industry. They have given me the space, support, and artist connections to create long lasting creative collaborations full of inspiration, rigor and opportunity.”
- Sarah Kosar (Royal Court/Old Vic 12)
“Before meeting Molly and Beth I hadn't written a new play in a while and had pretty much given up on my theatre career. After talking through a new idea I was given the encouragement to go away and write a new play - one that resulted in a read through to a full house at The Arcola theatre and renewed industry interest in my work.”
- Laura Poliakoff (Writer, Eastenders, BBC)
FOUNDER
Molly Roberts
Molly is a professional actor, producer and teacher.
As an actor she works regularly in theatre (West End/Frantic Assembly) and television (BBC) and has been nominated for Best Female at the Off-West End Theatre Awards. She trained at the Guildford School of Acting gaining a BA (Hons) in Acting.
She is a Stage One New Producer and was selected as one of The Old Vic 12, a highly competitive scheme of 12 promising new theatre makers at The Old Vic. She also lectures and leads workshops at a number of universities & other arts organisations.
She is passionate that artists shouldn't be pigeonholed and can be supported in becoming confident multi-disciplined members of the industry.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
Bethany Pitts | Josh Roche
ASSOCIATE WRITERS
Kenneth Emson | Vinay Patel | Andrew Thompson
PATRON
Jocelyn Abbey
PLEASE NOTE: Poleroid employ a variety of freelance Creatives and Actors on a project-by-project basis. We do not currently employ full-time staff. Full credentials for each of our projects can be found on their respective page.