Word’s A Stage is Apples and Snakes’ annual poetic performance development programme aimed at poets aged 21-30. The 2025 programme took place between June and August and combined online workshops with a week-long residential at The Hurst, Arvon House.
12 emerging artists were selected for a place on the programme and the programme learning was designed to equip them with the skills and confidence needed to advance in their performance poetry and writing careers. The programme is a huge opportunity to learn from experts and, through peer learning, to form long-lasting connections with each other as well as develop strong networks within the sector.
Initially, participants commit to attending eight online workshops, where they work with poets, performers and facilitators with their end goal to create a 15-minute performance set.
The online sessions focused on a different area each week, and were led by tutors including Malika Booker, Nick Field, Bohdan Piasecki, Myah Jeffers, Vanessa Kisuule, and more. Workshop sessions included writing focus, thinking about the audience, performance to camera, looking after your voice and connecting with your words.
Following the online sessions, participants then went on to attend an in-person five-day writing and performance residential hosted by Arvon.
The programme was structured so that the online sessions directly impacted the Arvon retreat. Aiming to ensure the best outcome possible for the participants’ creative writing.
Arvon Residential
Taking place between 18th – 23rd August 2025 at The Hurst, Arvon House the Words a Stage Cohort came together for a week’s long residency.
The Hurst is a place you can write, without the distractions of daily life. Once the home of playwright John Osborne, it’s surrounded by the idyllic forest-covered Shropshire Hills. The aim was to give the participants the perfect space to write and develop their skills.
There’s more information about The Hurst here.
2025 cohort
It has been fantastic to work with the 2025 Words a Stage cohort: Molly Walker, Amal Mohamud, Chloe Giles, Vignesh Venkataramaiah, Memory Bhunu, astrid solace, Ray Vincent-Mills, Lena Ngoudjo, Nigeen Dara, Shakquille Millington, Chidozie Ihebuzor and Roshni Marath Jairaj.
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