Writer, dramaturg, theatre-lover.
Welcome!
Hey there, I’m Callan.
I grew up in the beautiful Ocean State of Rhode Island, USA before I moved to New York City to earn my BA in English Literature from Fordham University. After a taste of the Big Apple, I moved to the Big Smoke to earn a Distinction in a two-year MA in Playwriting and Screenwriting from City, University of London.
My most recent role has been as Commissioning Editor of Plays at Methuen Drama (Bloomsbury Publishing), where I’ve commissioned fantastic new work from early and mid-career theatre-makers since August 2022. I have a huge passion for new writing and want to see it continue to flourish here in the UK and globally.
I’m a writer, dramaturg, editor and proofreader.
As a writer, I was invited onto the 10 week Soho Theatre Comedy Lab: Sketch (18+) programme led by Tony Craze award-winning writer Fran Bushe (Jan-March 2020), been a featured writer in one of Theatre503’s Rapid Write Response nights (my short play SO I BLED was in response to Gillian Greer’s Meat in March 2020), and have participated in the Flux Theatre Lab (spring 2020) led by writer Max Wilkinson (Rainer, Union). Most recently, I was invited to the Royal Court Theatre’s Introduction to Playwriting group in spring 2023 led by writers Ross Willis and Yasmin Joseph (my play CANARY was submitted for feedback in May 2023).
My play Half a Sorrow (formerly titled IT COULD NEVER BE ME) was Longlisted for the BOLD Playwriting Prize 2024.
As a dramaturg, I’ve worked with writer Misha Levkov (In the Net, Jermyn Street Theatre 2023) in 2024 on his two plays Unannounced and The Life Guard. If you’re interested in working with me, pop me an email: callan@callanplays.com.
I’ve worked informally with countless other writers in my role as Commissioning Editor of Plays, particularly when theatre-makers want feedback for transcribing their unique pieces to the page.
I am a member of the CIEP (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading) and as of March 2024, will be accredited to the Professional level.
In case you’re curious…
I’m an amateur baker, lover of horror in all its iterations and I’ve been working with ADHD since my diagnosis as a teenager. My favourite colour is yellow (could you have guessed?), and I spend all the spare time I can at the theatre.
I live with my partner and our rescue cat Dexi in South London (don’t worry, I love dogs too), where I’m often dreaming of the beach on rainy days.
Want to get better acquainted? Say hi!