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Staff Profile

Dr Zoe Cooper

Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing

Background

I am a playwright and dramaturge.

As a playwright I was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize (2019), the oldest international prize for female playwrights writing in the English language. I have been longlisted and shortlisted for the Charles Wintour Evening Standard Prize for Playwrighting (2016 and 2019 respectively), and I won the Most Promising Playwrights Prize at the Off West End Awards (2017). I was the inaugural winner for the Screen Skills New Writing Prize (2019). I have been awarded three Peggy Ramsay Awards. I have also been shortlisted for the Rod Hall Memorial Prize, the Adrienne Benham Prize and a Broadway World Award. I have received a T S Eliot Commission and I have undertaken residencies in the USA at MacDowell and Yaddo.

My plays are published by Methuen Bloomsbury. As a playwright I have worked/am working with: the National Theatre, Live Theatre, Old Vic Theatre,  Paines Plough, the Orange Tree Theatre, Farnham Maltings, Unicorn Theatre, the Leeds Playhouse, Theatre503, Northern Stage and the Royal Shakespeare Company amongst others.

Before joining Newcastle University I worked in theatres across London and the UK for a number of years. My work was mainly focussed on the selection, development and support of writers of all levels. I continue to work to support playwrights.

 

Education

PhD Creative Writing - Newcastle University

MPhil B Playwrighting - Birmingham University

BA English Literature - Cambridge University

 

I am represented by Jonathan Kinnersley at The Agency. All professional enquiries about my work as a playwright should be directed to Jonathan.

Research


Recent work includes: 

Out of Water

Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Orange Tree Theatre. It opened in April 2019 at the Orange Tree. The play was shortlisted for the Charles Wintour Evening Standard Award and was a Finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Award.

Jess and Joe Forever

Commissioned by the Old Vic Theatre, it played at the Orange Tree in London in 2016 before touring. It then had a second run at the Traverse Theatre in 2017. It received a new production at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. It has since enjoyed productions in Australia and the Czech Republic. I won the Off West End Most Promising Playwright Award for the play.

The Snow Queen 

A new theatrical version of the short story by Hans Christian Andersen, with songs by the award winning singer and song writer Josienne Clarke. The play was commissioned by the National Theatre's 'Let's Play' scheme in 2018. The 'Let's Play' scheme commissions new plays for primary school children to perform. The Snow Queen has since enjoyed many school productions all over the country.

My plays are published by Methuen Bloomsbury. As a playwright I have worked/am working with: the National Theatre, Live Theatre, Old Vic Theatre,  Paines Plough, the Orange Tree Theatre, Farnham Maltings, Unicorn Theatre, the Leeds Playhouse, Theatre503, Northern Stage and the Royal Shakespeare Company amongst others. 

I am represented by Jonathan Kinnersley at The Agency. All professional enquiries about my work as a playwright should be directed to Jonathan.

Teaching

This year (2022 - 2023) I am the module leader on the following module: 

SEL1031: Drama, Theatre and Performance

I will also be supervising students on SEL3401 Theatre Script Portfolio.

I am currently supervising two playwrights at PhD level, both of whom are supported by an AHRC Northern Bridge studentship. If you are a playwright considering doing a PhD and you think I might be a good supervisory fit for you do get in touch.  

My Academic Consultation and Feedback Hours are:

Fridays: 230pm-430pm, term time only 

If you would like to attend during this time please drop me an email in advance if possible. If this is not possible please knock and wait as I may be with another student. Slots are normally 15 minutes long, but do email me if you think you will need more time. 

My room number is 2.26 in the Percy Building.

If you would like to meet on Zoom I would be happy to do so. Again, do just drop me an email.




Publications