Associate Dramaturge
Salary £ 18,900
Vacancy listed 26/01/2026
Application deadline 11/02/2026
Details
Play Development and Departmental Administration

  • To support the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge in the day to day running of the Literary department 
  • To support the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge with commissioning activities and in the development of new plays and ideas
  • To support the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge in devising and implementing development opportunities for writers
  • To support the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge in liaising with new writing agencies to communicate the Bush’s interests and to identify writers and scripts for consideration, in accordance with the artistic strategy 
  • To assist the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge in reading new scripts and feeding back to the wider Artistic team
  • To assist the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge in casting, contracting, planning and delivering all Research & Development of Bush commissions
  • To track submissions from new writing agencies and ensure a timely response is received
  • To act as the lead dramaturge on specific Bush projects, plays and productions, where required
  • To lead on the development of specific creative work, where required
  • Alongside the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge and Producing colleagues, to provide dramaturgical and pastoral support for writers and directors on attachment with the Bush 
  • Alongside the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge, to provide mentorship to writers on attachment, in residency and during the production and development of work
  • To collaborate on the administration of the Literary budget with the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge; leading on the tracking of receipts, creating expenses claim forms, coding and processing invoices
  • To maintain organised and up to date files of all commissioned and programmed scripts and, alongside Producing colleagues, circulate necessary reading for consideration by the wider Artistic team
  • To attend new plays, workshops, readings and industry sharings of work, and be an ambassador for the Bush, its approach and its work as part of the Literary department
  • To lead on the scheduling of the Bush Writers’ Room – our dedicated writing space in the building for writers on attachment –  ensuring it is maximised as a resource to support Bush writers
  • To assist the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge in applications for literary awards
  • To ensure the Allen Buckley Script Library holds copies of new production playtexts
  • To schedule and book travel, accommodation and theatre tickets as required 
  • To, where necessary, carry out research on writers, theatres and new writing trends. 

Artistic Policy and Programming 

  • To be a valuable member of the Bush Artistic team, contributing to programming strategy and artistic planning
  • To support the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge in the identification, development and maintenance of external partnerships, to best support the Bush’s aims in talent development, creative collaboration, new writing and participation
  • To assist the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge in liaising with Development colleagues on literary and writer development funding applications
  • To liaise with Marketing to ensure information and copy for Literary pages is kept up to date on the Bush website

Bush Writers’ Group & Bloom Bursary 
  • Alongside the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge, to recruit and manage the Bush Writers’ Group – an annual cohort of six writers on attachment at the Bush
  • Alongside the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge and Community colleagues, to recruit and manage the Bloom Bursary recipients – an biennial cohort of Bush Young Company alumni on attachment at the Bush 
  • To be the main point of contact for the Bush Writer’s Group and Bloom Bursary cohorts and assist with the organisation and delivery of each scheme’s associated meetings and events 

Unsolicited Scripts programme 
● Alongside the Literary Manager & Lead Dramaturge, to manage and oversee the processing of all solicited/agency and unsolicited scripts received, including offering feedback to playwrights and responding to enquiries from writers and agents as appropriate 

General 

  • Keep up to date with developments in new writing 
  • Attend read-throughs, sharings, preview, press and supporters’ nights and other Bush events as required 
  • Attend regular Company meetings and artistic planning and programming meetings 
  • Actively develop and implement green policies and practices for the department 
  • Adhere to, and actively contribute to, Bush Theatre policies, including Equalities (diversity, access, and equal opportunities), Environmental and Health & Safety 
  • Maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible, without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of the Bush Theatre 
  • Act always in the best interests of the Bush Theatre and work in support of its artistic policy
  • Any other duties as reasonably required
Benefits

Interest-free season ticket loan (after probation) for employees.
Cycle to work scheme for employees.
Complimentary tickets to all Bush productions subject to availability.
Enhanced holiday and additional holiday for length of service.
Birthday holiday.
Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave policies.
20% discount on food and drink at the Library Cafe Bar.
Access to a confidential counselling service.

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