Catalyst 2026 Residency: Meet the Writers and Directors at The North Wall Arts Centre in Oxford
The North Wall Arts Centre has unveiled the complete line-up of early-career theatre artists participating in its upcoming Catalyst 2026 residency. Running from Monday 30 March to Friday 10 April 2026, this intensive programme brings together an exciting cohort of emerging writers and directors to develop fresh theatrical work.
What to Expect from the Catalyst 2026 Cohort
Visitors and local theatre enthusiasts following the Oxford cultural scene can look forward to seeing how these early-career creatives develop their projects over the course of the residency. The selected participants bring diverse backgrounds, unique perspectives, and varied performance disciplines to the venue's studios and stages.
The Writers
Six distinctive emerging voices have been selected for the writing cohort:
- Roxana Rae Bartle: An actor, writer, and musician from Somerset whose professional theatre writing debut takes place during this residency.
- Ruby Crepin-Glyne: An Oxford School of Drama graduate and writer whose work explores race, identity, and multicultural upbringings.
- Hannah Eggleton: A Buckinghamshire-based actor-writer currently studying at the University of Oxford, returning to the venue following her previous ArtsLab development.
- Adil Hassan: A London-trained writer and actor creating tragicomic, absurdist work rooted in working-class and diverse heritages.
- Lucy Havard: A LAMDA-trained artist and co-founder of Seagull Productions, developing her original play The Bird.
- Ayọ̀ Owóyẹmi-Peters: An actor-writer and West End performer whose faith-influenced dramatic writing follows her recent recognition as a future playwright competition winner.
The Directors
Supporting the development of new writing are three dynamic contemporary directors:
- Hamza Ali: A London-based director and movement director combining psychological realism with physical theatre.
- Arthur Kemp: A theatre-maker focused on championing authentic stories and perspectives originating outside traditional performance hubs.
- Haiqing Liang: A UK-trained, internationally raised director and dramaturg creating visually innovative and movement-driven work.
Experiencing the Residency Work in Oxford
The residency culminates in a showcase event on Friday 10 April 2026, where audiences can experience the pieces developed throughout the two-week programme. Further details and booking information can be found via the Catalyst event page.
To discover more cultural highlights and upcoming performances around the city, browse the what's on exhibitions or explore the interactive map view on Musemap (musemap.art).
