Suzanne Bell has been appointed as Director of Stiwdio Clwyd, a national studio for Wales to develop and support professional theatre makers at every stage of their careers. This follows an extensive recruitment process during the summer.

Suzanne Bell is an award-winning Dramaturg in new writing with over 20 years professional experience supporting the development of artists across the UK and internationally. Her awards include the Kenneth Tynan Award for Excellence in Dramaturgy and the Olwen Wymark Award for Encouragement in Theatre.

Stiwdio Clwyd will embrace existing development programmes including writer and company residencies, paid shadowing opportunities and training schemes for directors and designers, but also develop new programmes based on need and across theatre making disciplines. During the first nine months of the role Suzanne will continue to consult and shape programmes with and for theatre makers. A full programme will be announced in 2025.

Founding principles of Stiwdio Clwyd include all theatre makers being paid for their professional development time, and that the programmes will be delivered ‘with no expectation of return’. Stiwdio Clwyd will not be designed to become a product line for Theatr Clwyd’s in-house productions but is rather a long-term investment in the theatre makers of Wales.

The work of Stiwdio Clwyd will be supported and enhanced by the redeveloped facilities at Theatr Clwyd as they enter the final 9 months of their capital project. This includes a brand-new space named the ‘Emlyn Williams Writers Room’ after the much-celebrated Welsh writer, new rehearsal facilities and development studio space, as well as costume, scenic construction, lighting, scenic art and props workshops all on site.

The Director of Stiwdio Clwyd position has been funded by the John Ellerman Foundation who support work of the highest quality that is nationally significant, with new and original work at its heart. Funding for Stiwdio Clwyd has also come from the Noel Coward Foundation, awarding grants to educational and professional development projects across the performing arts.

The Stiwdio was developed following research with founders and subsequent leaders of the National Theatre Studio, and other leaders of development programmes and national development centres internationally, as well as over 70 theatre makers from across disciplines and at various stages of their careers.