First Dibs: The Assembly is a script-in-hand sharing of five new plays written by LGBTQ+ playwrights and the culmination of Dibby Theatre’s first-ever First Dibs course.
First Dibs is a radical new 14-week play-making school led by LGBTQ+ artists, for LGBTQ+ artists.
Part of Dibby Theatre’s outreach and education programme supporting working-class and LGBTQ+ artists and communities.
First Dibs Playwrights
Alma Renée Lipari is a trans woman from Rome finding her true self in Manchester. Her writing explores queer sex, intimacy and relationships. Alma will present a new play called The Red Shoes, directed by Roma Havers. A story about finding your true self amidst priests, catholic guilt and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.
Susan Kerr is a Black and queer playwright who isn’t new to writing but new to sharing. Susan will present a new play called Unapologetic, directed by Cheryl Martin. ‘A body is not a book to be read only by looking at the cover’. A story about how judgements chip away at a person. A story about rage. But also a story about love.
Elizabeth Gibson is a writer and performer based in Manchester and is inspired by community, city life, queerness, mental health, nature and folklore. Liz will be presenting a new play called The Reason for Geese, directed by Leo J Skilbeck. A journey around the canals of Manchester during a year like no other, a lonely 20-something encounters fantastical creatures from a food-orientated cat to a philosophical bee.
Rebekka Platt is a dancer, performer and emerging writer from Oldham and will share a new play called The Rise and Fall of Player 89, directed by Cheryl Martin. Young, queer and un-athletic, Bekky enters the fast-paced world of Roller Derby as Veronikilla. She forges new friends, but when the stakes are high, the risks are higher.
mandla rae is a queer Zimbabwean writer and will share a new play called Zanele, directed by Leo J Skilbeck. A story about the unknown wonders of the mind, of mental health as a language some of us don’t yet know how to speak about. Due to unforeseen circumstances mandla rae’s ZANELE will not be shared as part of this evening. We apologise for any inconvenience
Supported by Metro UK, Arts Council England and HOME.