Gateway New Writing Festival comes to Edinburgh's Studio Theatre
Founded by James Wood in 2022, the idea for the Gateway New Writing Festival was developed while studying at QMU, where he credits the University’s supportive and collaborative environment for giving him the confidence and skills to bring the project to life.
He has said, “Without this generosity, the Gateway Writing Festival, a project I started at QMU, or any of my companies' commissioned shows would not have had a chance to flourish.” This year 2026 will be the festivals fourth year!
Unlike other initiatives, this festival is unique because its methodology focuses on theatre‑maker-led development, bringing together new writers with directors, actors and a production team for a months-long development and rehearsal process that transforms first drafts into high quality pieces ready for further production and sector exposure. The festival builds and sustains the infrastructure for entrepreneurial theatre makers to develop skills, forge professionally valuable connections and take the next step in their career.
The rest of the team making this wonderful festival happening includes; Giulia Pizziol the Executive Producer, Betsy King - Producer, Fergus Kane - Producer, Marie G. Rimolsronning - Marketing and Sophie Gattis - Graphic Designer.
This year we shall experience six powerful stories over the course of three nights from Monday 2nd November till Wednesday 4th November, all evenings starting at 7.30pm at the Studio Theatre in Edinburgh. You can buy tickets on the night at the venue or on the Capital Theatre website.
Before the festival is underway though the team is still advocating their crowdfunder campaign on https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/invest-in-the-gateway-writing-festival-2026
The campaign aims to provide new writers the community and resources they need to develop their skills and break into the theatre industry. Once funded, the project will directly benefit the theatre makers taking part in the festival by giving them a professional experience from rehearsals to the night of the performance. The funds raised will be specifically used to support the writers and creative teams involved in the 2026 festival financially, provide a small wage for our core team of producers, technical team, stage management, marketing and development team and It will give us the freedom to continue the company's expansion.
The team would appreciate your support to continue this great theatre development and to share as much as possible!
Catch this inspiring writing festival until November 4