Dramatic Links started as a three year A4E (Arts for Everyone) Lottery funded project to encourage professional writers to develop new plays for young people. The writers, many of whom had only previously written for adults, attended a series of after-school drama workshops to get an insight into the current issues facing over 7's. The young people's honesty and creativity created an atmosphere of understanding and mutual respect.

This process enabled the writers to see what a modern childhood is like rather than having to write from the memory of their own childhood.

Michael Punter was one of the writers who participated in the project and, as a result of his involvement, wrote The Nightwatch for Pop-Up, which toured the UK in 2002. Pop-Up subsequently received an award from the Peggy Ramsay Foundation for this new play.

"My work with Pop-Up was rewarding indeed both professionally and personally" said Michael. "It has given me a real insight into the way a child's imagination works, and into the way in which they shape their dramas. Most importantly, I have seen how their sense of worth and status is directly reflected in the works they produce with us. In telling a story in a drama, they are telling us in some way about their experience, and it's a remarkable process to watch."

Other writers who took part in this ground-breaking three year project include: Tilly Black, Michele Celeste, Sara Clifford, Paul Herzberg, Jo Hodges, Sarah Ann Kennedy, Michael McMillan, Raman Mundair, Emily Nightingale, Anita Sullivan, Rhiannon Tise.

If you are interested in being involved with Dramatic Links, please send a copy of a script to us, together with a copy of your CV with details of previous writing experience.