Ava Pickett News

The Mercury Theatre in Colchester has announced the full cohort for their acclaimed Mercury Creatives programmes: Mercury Producers, Directors and Playwrights.

Lisa Spirling has announced her first season as Artistic Director and Co-CEO of Stratford East, alongside new Executive Director Hanna Streeter and Associate Artistic Director Jade Lewis.

Winners of The Stage Debut Awards 2025, in association with Netflix, were revealed on September 28 at a star-studded ceremony, with big-name winners like Rachel Zegler. See the full list of who won.

Stage One has appointed Abbi Roberts, previously Director of Development and Communications at Mercury Theatre, as its new Operations Director.

Rose Theatre will present the world premiere of Emma, Ava Pickett’s new adaptation of Jane Austen’s timeless story of romance, friendship, and the tricky business of figuring out what truly makes us happy. Check out photos from inside the rehearsal room!

The Stage Debut Awards have announced the nominees for 2025. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony next month. Check out the full list of nominations here!

In celebration of the 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen’s birth, one of Britain’s most beloved novelists, the Rose Theatre has announced the full cast and creative team for the world premiere of Ava Pickett’s (1536) new adaptation of Emma.

Rumours are flying, people are f**king, and the queen’s been taken to the tower. Ava Pickett’s debut play 1536 tears through a story of female sexuality and male violence, bringing a distinctly twenty-first century language and sensibility to the era of Anne Boleyn.

The Drama League has revealed the thirty exceptional stage directors receiving the 2025 fellowships, assistantships, residencies, and programs collectively known as The Directors Project. Learn more!

The 2025 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been given to U.S. playwright a.k. payne for their play Furlough's Paradise. Awarded annually since 1978, the prestigious international Prize is the largest and oldest award recognizing women+ who have written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre. 

Liv Hill, Siena Kelly and Tanya Reynolds are cast in the world premiere of Ava Pickett’s Susan Smith Blackburn Prize-winning play 1536 at The Almeida Theatre. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced this year's finalists for the prestigious international playwriting award. Learn more about the finalists and the award here!

4th Wall Theatre Company will host an exclusive, one-night-only reading of 1536 by Ava Pickett, the 2024 winner of the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize on January 24 at 7:30PM.

The Almeida Theatre has announced five new productions including Almeida Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall's new production of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, featuring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Lennie James.

The 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to UK playwright Ava Pickett for her play 1536.  Awarded annually since 1978, The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is the largest and oldest international award recognizing women+ who have written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre. See photos from inside the ceremony here.

The 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to UK playwright Ava Pickett for her play 1536. Learn more about Pickett and the award!

The 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has revealed the finalists for this prestigious international award honoring women+ playwrights.

Tife Kusoro has been announced as the recipient of the 54th George Devine Award for her debut full length play G. Kusoro  has been awarded the £15,000 prize to pen her next piece of theatre. Formed in 1966 in memory of the Royal Court's founding Artistic Director George Devine, the Award is recognised as one of the most prestigious in new writing.

The George Devine Award has announced its 2023 Shortlist of nine playwrights. Formed in 1966 in memory of the Royal Court's founding Artistic Director George Devine, the Award is recognised as one of the most prestigious in new writing and seeks to shine a light on a playwright of promise.

The evening will reignite the experimental, eclectic, supportive spirit of Poleroid's first new writing nights; some of the UK's most celebrated young theatre makers and Poleroid alumni will join up with a selection of new graduate talent for a joyful night of short work premieres and a look back at Poleroid's last 10 years.