Write Start: The Sam Heughan Creative Commission

Internationally acclaimed actor, author and philanthropist – and RCS graduate, Sam Heughan has announced the winner of his new Write Start contest that aims to showcase some of the nation’s most exciting emerging artists.

Congratulations to John Black, a second-year BA Filmmaking student who is the writer and producer of the winning entry, Bucket of Sunshine, a stage play about three naval officers in a Vanguard-class submarine that questions the moral and ethical dilemmas of nuclear weapons. John will receive a £5,000 bursary and mentoring from Sam and industry experts to develop the work.

Runner-up Meghan de Chastelain, who is studying on the MFA (Directing) Classical and Contemporary Text programme, will receive £1,000 to progress her work A Cocktailer’s Guide to Surviving a Pandemic, a one-woman show ‘using cocktails to make hard stories easier to swallow’.

[lynnecabban]

Just brilliant Congrats to both winners. I’m looking forward to seeing the winner’s production streamed cause I live in Australia. Just excited for all the students 👏💙👍

[katarzynahahn]

This man is just brilliant and has a big heart. That's why it's impossible not to love you... Blessings my Freud 🍀🌞⚘💗💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💖💞❣💘💋⚘

[janewolfe]

Opening door for others is so generous,

[Mysticoach]

Will you be having any more write start contests, I'm in Hollywood