QMU graduate to champion new talent at Gateway Writing Festival
Queen Margaret University graduate James Wood is set to champion a new wave of Scottish theatre talent as he leads the fourth annual Gateway Writing Festival across 3-5 November 2025.
Founded by James in 2022, the Gateway Writing Festival celebrates bold new writing and supports early-career artists in developing their work for the stage. This year’s event will feature nine brand new plays and engage around 70 emerging creatives, offering a vital platform for collaboration and creativity within Scotland’s theatre community.
James developed the idea for the festival while studying at QMU, where he credits the University’s supportive and collaborative environment for giving him the confidence and skills to bring the project to life. He also received funding through QMU’s Vice-Chancellor’s Fund, the Santander Universities Enterprise Fund and the Emerging Creatives Fund -support that enabled him to establish and grow the festival and his theatre company beyond graduation.
James said: “Without this generosity, the Gateway Writing Festival, a project I started at QMU, or any of my companies' commissioned shows would not have had a chance to flourish.”
The festival will run from 3–5 November 2025 at Capital Theatres’ Studio Theatre, offering audiences a chance to experience a dynamic programme of new writing and connect with the next generation of Scottish theatre talent.
For further media information contact Emma Reekie, Media and Content Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: ereekie@qmu.ac.uk (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk).
