Writer & Directors Call

Making Peaceful Change is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Call Out - Writers & Directors - Operation Desperation

We are seeking experienced and emerging writers and directors to collaborate on Operation Desperation, an ambitious dual production exploring the origins of Foyle Women’s Aid and the ongoing realities of domestic abuse.

This project will bring to life the powerful story of the women who, in response to urgent need and institutional inaction, occupied a former Health Board building on Pump Street during the Troubles to establish a 24-hour refuge for women and children. Their actions marked the beginning of a vital support network that continues today.

Through a combination of theatre and documentary, Operation Desperation aims to raise awareness of domestic violence on both a local and global scale, educate audiences on the dynamics of abuse, and foster empathy, dialogue, and meaningful social change.

We are looking for artists who:

• Have a strong interest in socially engaged work and community storytelling
• Are sensitive to working with lived experience and complex histories
• Can create compelling, accessible narratives for diverse audiences
• Are interested in collaborative, research-informed development processes

Selected writers and directors will work alongside survivors, partner organisations, and a multidisciplinary creative team to develop work that is both artistically ambitious and socially impactful.

This project seeks not only to inform but to inspire action—encouraging audiences to challenge harmful norms, support those affected by abuse, and engage with existing support networks.

Further details on timeline, fees, and application process will be provided upon expression of interest.

To express interest, please submit a short statement outlining your experience, interest in the project, and approach to the material.

Send to: gary.crossan@derryplayhouse.com

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS: TBC

Making Peaceful Change is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).