Award-winning theatre company Headlong has today unveiled its selection for the prestigious Writer in Residence for the 2023/4 season: the versatile Rhashan Stone.
Rhashan Stone, a seasoned actor with an impressive portfolio spanning theatre, film, and television, boasts credits from notable networks and platforms such as BBC, Channel 4, ITV, SKY, HBO, and Netflix. His talent has already earned him the Best Breakthrough Writer/Director award at the CDN Awards for his work on “City Hall,” a screenplay produced for SKY as part of their Playhouse Presents season.
Currently, Rhashan Stone is engaged in multiple projects, including The Several Lives Of Solomon Pride, an original drama in the works for the BBC, and an adaptation of Beryl Gilroy’s autobiography Black Teacher set to premiere on Netflix. Notably, his recent appearance in Tambo and Bones at Theatre Royal Stratford East and participation in Headlong’s Unprecedented short films in 2020 have further solidified his presence in the theatrical sphere.
Rhashan Stone’s West End credits include: All About Eve alongside Gillian Anderson and Lily James, Cheek By Jowl’s As You Like It (Noel Coward Theatre); Simply Heavenly (Trafalgar Studios); and, Five Guys Named Moe (Lyric Theatre).
The Writer in Residence initiative, integral to Headlong’s commitment to nurturing new work and talent, offers leading writers the unique opportunity to become a vital part of the Headlong family. Collaborating closely with the Literary, Artistic, and Producing teams, the selected writer works on developing a brand-new play that will eventually evolve into a full-length commission. This pioneering approach brings freelance artists into the core of the company, fostering longer-term relationships and innovative creative partnerships.
Frank Peschier, Literary Manager at Headlong, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying, “The whole Headlong team are delighted to be working with Rhashan. It is an absolute privilege to have such a brilliant writer, not only under commission but helping us shape our creative vision and program.”
Past luminaries in the role include Amanda Wilkin, the writer of Shedding a Skin at Soho Theatre, a finalist for the 2022 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and Charlie Josephine, the writer of I, Joan at The Globe and Cowbois at The RSC.
In addition to the full-length commission, the Writer in Residence position provides access to a Writer’s Room and an invitation to participate in Headlong’s artistic programming, team, and Justice meetings. This strategic approach aims to offer comprehensive support for freelancers and encourages the incubation of bold, innovative ideas that influence the organization’s development.
Rhashan Stone, sharing his enthusiasm for this opportunity, stated, “I am thrilled to be working with one of my favorite theatre companies. The team at Headlong always manages to deliver something special. I’ve always been drawn to bold, provocative, ambitious work. This is an amazing opportunity, and I can’t wait to collaborate with Holly, Frank, and the rest of the team.”
Headlong, led by Artistic Director Holly Race Roughan and Executive Director Lisa Maguire, is currently presenting a range of productions across the UK, including A View From the Bridge, A Play for the Living in a Time of Extinction, and Kimber Lee’s untitled production, which showcases their commitment to groundbreaking and sustainable theatre.
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