An award-winning dramaturg has been appointed as the director of Stiwdio Clwyd. 

Suzanne Bell was selected for the role at Theatr  Clwyd, in Mold, Flintshire which supports professional theatre makers, after a comprehensive recruitment process over the summer.

Ms Bell, who has more than 20 years of experience in the professional theatre industry, is a renowned dramaturg and has bagged accolades such as the Kenneth Tynan Award for Excellence in Dramaturgy and the Olwen Wymark Award for Encouragement in Theatre.

Ms Bell has experience working at the Royal Exchange Theatre, where she worked on several award-winning productions.

She has also held positions at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, the Royal Court Theatre, and Soho Theatre. 

She has overseen the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting for the past 12 years, helping to establish it as an international competition.

Ms Bell said: "I am delighted to be joining Theatr Clwyd at this pivotal moment in its history and am excited to have the honour and privilege to work with and support Welsh artists.

"Stiwdio Clwyd will be transformational in supporting artists, creatives, and theatre makers throughout their careers and across disciplines."

Stiwdio Clwyd is an initiative by Theatr Clwyd that aims to support theatre makers at various stages of their careers.

It is not a product line for Theatr Clwyd’s in-house productions but a long-term investment in Welsh theatre makers.

The studio will continue with existing development programmes, including writer and company residencies, paid shadowing opportunities, and training schemes for directors and designers.

It also plans to introduce new programmes according to the needs of theatre-making disciplines.

During the first nine months of her role, Ms Bell will be consulting and shaping programmes with and for theatre makers.

A full programme is expected to be announced in 2025.

The work of Stiwdio Clwyd will be supported by the redeveloped facilities at Theatr Clwyd, including the new 'Emlyn Williams Writers Room,' rehearsal facilities, and a development studio space.

The Director of Stiwdio Clwyd position has been funded by the John Ellerman Foundation, which supports nationally significant work of the highest quality.

Stiwdio Clwyd has also received funding from the Noel Coward Foundation, which awards grants to educational and professional development projects across the performing arts.

The studio was developed following research with founders and subsequent leaders of the National Theatre Studio and other leaders of development programmes and national development centres internationally.

Under the leadership of executive director Liam Evans-Ford and artistic director Kate Wasserberg, Theatr Clwyd has gained a reputation for pushing theatrical boundaries.

Recent successes include co-producing The Famous Five: A New Musical with Chichester Festival Theatre and Home, I’m Darling with the National Theatre, which won Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards.

The theatre is also one of only four in the UK to build sets and props, make costumes, and paint scenery in-house.