Samantha O'Rourke is a northern writer-director based in North Wales. A graduate of our Young Everyman Playhouse Writers Programme, her new play Our Town Needs a Nandos is currently in rehearsal. We chatted to Sam to find out a bit more about the show and how important YEP has been in her development as a writer.

What can audiences expect from your new play?
Lots of laughs, some big questions about how society treats young women and hopefully capturing the joy and chaos of being a teenager.
When I wrote the play I was working in a high school and met so many brilliant, bold young women and I knew I wanted to write something which celebrated them. It’s such a tough time - particularly when you don’t see yourself in stories - and especially when you’re from a place where no one expects much from you. So it feels really amazing and kind of radical to have a play on the main stage centring those girls.

You’re a YEP Writing Graduate, how does it feel to have this play on as part of YEP’s 10th Birthday year?
Oh my god honestly it means everything. A real pinch myself kind of moment. I still remember getting the phone call offering me a spot on the writers programme so from that moment to this blows my mind a little bit! YEP is what theatre should be - passionate, inventive, funny, storytelling with a big heart and a big social conscience.

How did YEP help you as a writer?
So much help! I always say YEP is the reason I was able to to this as a job, I didn’t know anyone who worked in the arts or how you would actually go about becoming a writer! YEP offered me a community of peers, the chance to write for actors, see a load of theatre and work with the most supportive literary department who really believed in me, it was properly life changing.

Why did you decide to apply for the YEP Writers Programme?

I'd just graduated from University and was excited to further develop as a writer in a professional environment. I'd set up my own theatre company in university, but I was really keen to come back to the North West and make work here. It's great to be involved with the Everyman as it is known for new writing, and being a member of YEP Writers exceeded my expectations. I didn’t anticipate the incredible opportunities we'd be involved in and how closely we'd work with the Literary Department. 

"I have become a better writer as a result of being involved in the YEP Writers Programme."

Samantha O’Rourke is northern writer-director based in North Wales. Recent screen projects include short film 'Jelly' – Ffilm Cymru/BBC Wales/Mad as Birds & original comedy drama 'Mincemeat' for Channel 4/Blacklight. Sam was Writer on Attachment for Liverpool's Everyman Playhouse and is part of artist led project Future Forms at the Donmar Warehouse. Other theatre credits include Theatr Clwyd, Volcano Theatre, Boundless Theatre and Dirty Protest. She is currently developing her first feature supported by Ffilm Cymru and a comedy drama series for Channel 4 Drama. Sam was recently selected as part a BFI Flare x BAFTA mentoring programme. A graduate of Young Everyman Playhouse [YEP], Our Town Needs a Nandos was developed when she was a writer on attachment with the theatres.

Follow on Twitter @SamORourk3