Rosie Race awarded Exeter Northcott Theatre’s first open playwriting commission

Exeter Northcott Theatre has announced Rosie Race as the winner of its inaugural playwriting commission, following an extensive selection process involving over 100 South West playwrights. Race’s new play will premiere on the Northcott stage in summer 2026.

The theatre’s first-ever open script submission window, launched in summer 2024, drew a strong response from writers across the region. From the 100+ submissions, 23 playwrights were chosen for tailored development opportunities, including residencies, skills courses, and rehearsed readings. From this group, five writers were invited to pitch for the full commission.

Sam Parker, Exeter Northcott Artist Development Producer, explained:

“Once we decided to launch an annual script submission window, it felt important to set the precedent that there is absolutely a pathway from unsolicited submissions to our stage, if we felt the writer was a good fit. What was so exciting about the plays sent to us was that there were clearly several South West writers creating work at an exceptional level. So much so that we drew up a process in which each of them could pitch for a main-stage commission.”

The theatre revealed today that the shortlisted writers were SJ Clark, Natalie McGrath, Jon Nash, and Mich Sanderson, with the final commission going to Rosie.

“Taking just one writer forward was painstaking,” adds Parker, “But ultimately Rosie’s visual clarity, formal inventiveness and understanding of our audiences set her pitch apart.”

Rosie Race, a playwright, actor, and theatre maker trained at RADA, expressed her excitement about the opportunity:

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen for this opportunity - my first commission through to full production. Working in the arts is so difficult right now for everyone and it feels almost impossible to move into the midscale, or sometimes even to keep going at all. So, for me this is not only an incredibly exciting journey to be embarking upon, but also a transformative one. Exeter Northcott are championing my voice and artistic vision as a writer, and encouraging me to be myself with genuine care and curiosity.”

While the title of the commissioned play is yet to be announced, Rosie confirmed that it will draw heavily on the region’s culture and history:

“I set out wanting to find a story that ignited something in me, as well as being rooted in South West history and landscape, whilst being surprising and meaningful for audiences.”

Rosie’s career includes the acclaimed play Us Against the World, which premiered at Theatre Royal Plymouth to sold-out audiences. She is a Soho Writers Lab alumna, with her play Filthy Animal shortlisted for the Tony Craze Award 2024, and she is currently a commissioned writer with Middle Child. Alongside her creative work, she is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Plymouth, teaching Acting and Physical Performance.

The new playwriting commission is part of Exeter Northcott’s Elevate programme, which aims to nurture local creative talent. Theatre makers can sign up for free membership and stay informed about development opportunities at exeternorthcott.co.uk.

A registered charity, Exeter Northcott welcomes over 100,000 people annually to its venues, including the Northcott Theatre on the University of Exeter campus and the Barnfield Theatre in the city centre. Its community work spans the Northcott Young Company, the Elevate talent programme, and partnerships with schools, local groups, and charities.