Manchester ADP are moving into an innovative new phase, focusing on both artistic & organisational development; working with three local writers to develop three high-quality new Northern plays.

We will achieve this with a trusting, communicative partnership, pairing writers with professional Dramaturges & providing regular support in the form of readings, R&D weeks & closed 'sharings' to gather feedback. 

We will provide each writer a one-week R&D process, a Dramaturge, a team of actors & closed industry sharing, with the aim of developing the definitive version of each script for full production in 2021/22. 

​Further updates, including Casting Calls are coming soon! 

Meet the Writers

Laura Harper has had work performed at Southwark Playhouse, Bread & Roses Theatre, The Royal Exchange Studio, 53Two, Tristan Bates Theatre, Studio Salford, The Dukes Theatre, Oldham Coliseum, Hope Mill Theatre, and The Bunker Theatre, London. She has been commissioned by Manchester ADP, University of Manchester and The Manchester College.
Her short screenplay Sit was selected by Elicit Pictures following an international talent search and begins filming next year. Awards include Runner up at the Royal Exchange Theatre's WRITE competition 2002, the Madeline Boden Award for Best New Play, the Iron & Fire Award for New Writing, Runner Up of the Derek Jacobi Award for New Writing, and most recently, the WFTS Award for Best New Writing.

Kim Taylor is a freelance writer for the stage and screen. Her scripts reflect a clear interest in social issues, women’s rights and mental health struggles. She is at heart a drama writer but is also drawn to crime thriller, science fiction and dark comedy with projects across these genres. Kim was longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting 2019 and is looking forward to developing one of her other full-length plays with Manchester ADP in 2021. She recently won the EQUAL script competition 2020 by Procam and the Farm Group for her short screenplay.
She has a shopping agreement with a female led production company with her first feature film. Her latest TV Pilot reached the top 14% with ITV Red Planet Prize 2020. Kim graduated City University London in 2015 with an MA in Creative Writing: Playwriting and Screenwriting with Distinction. Kim is a Bajan, originally from Barbados, now living in London.

Robert Elkin graduated from RSAMD in 2011. Whilst also pursuing a career as an actor, Robert has written for Manchester ADP, Greater Manchester Fringe, The Space Theatre (London), The Arundel Festival's Drip Action Theatre Trail and Glasgow's Bard in the Botanics.
Acting credits include: Peaky Blinders (BBC/Tiger Aspect), Romeo and Juliet(Guildford Shakespeare Company), Thick Skin Elastic Heart (Sonnet Youth, Scottish Tour). As an Associate Artist of Bard in the Botanics, Robert has taken on title roles in Richard II and Richard III, as well as Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet), Viola (Twelfth Night), Puck (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Bertram/Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing).