Opinion with Amy Ewbank

Let's talk high stakes.

Everyone knows that actors must, night after night, courageously perform on a stage, under lights, in front of shadowed audiences. But what about playwrights? Those who craft the stories. Though their vulnerabilities are often overlooked, playwrights too, will regularly subject their most cherished creative efforts to the scrutiny of audiences and critics alike.

No wonder, then, that strong mentor-mentee partnerships to support playwrights have been the basis of theatre training since the days of Aeschylus.

A good mentor is invaluable to anyone who is serious about theatre. I was certainly no exception. As a neurodivergent woman trying to break into the world of theatre, the mentors I had during my time at LAMDA and during my 20 years in the business were key to kickstarting my career. Was it easy? No. But it was a lot easier with mentors lifting me up, encouraging me, and giving me those much-needed deadlines!