RHYS HAYES
Work With A
Dramaturg
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I provide feedback and industry advice to writers to help ready and refine their work for production.
About Me
For over ten years, I've been part of the Literary Team at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre, where I'm now Deputy Literary Manager. It has given me a sharp eye for dramatic writing, and a lasting fascination with the craft of playwriting and the people who pursue it.
For four consecutive years, I ran the ETPEP (Experienced Theatre Practitioners' Early Playwriting) Award, championing debut playwrights and personally shortlisting writers including Julia Grogan (Playfight) and Stage Debut nominee Saana Sze (Belly of the Beast).
More recently, I've helped programme Riverside Studios' annual Bitesize Festival, supporting artists dramaturgically both in and out of the rehearsal room.
I'm also in my fifth year at one of the UK's leading literary agencies, where I've worked alongside writers at every stage of their careers. I draw on that inside knowledge to help artists see the career and opportunities they're building more clearly.
I care deeply about the future of new writing. Many theatres and competitions will only ever read a single draft of a play, while the industry feedback writers rely on is growing harder to find. Through my dramaturgical work, I hope to help close that gap by offering thoughtful, affordable feedback.
Experienced Support
Script Analysis
Gain insightful, industry-informed feedback on your play, helping you identify its strengths, unlock its dramatic potential, and discover opportunities for further development.
Development
Meet in person or remotely for a focused conversation about your writing. We can discuss what is working, explore potential changes, and discuss next steps on how to best support your career.
Production
I offer services as a dramaturg on any stage of the production. If you want to discuss an idea you've been forming, or gain an outside eye during rehearsals, I can be there from development through to rehearsals and even performance. Get practical feedback and a fresh perspective when you need it most.
Feedback
"Rhys was an absolutely brilliant help on Clean Slate, he is both incredibly enthusiastic and an astute dramaturg. Since then he has remained both a supporter and an advisor on my work. As an early career artist, Rhys has been unbelievably helpful, kind and generous with his time."
— Amber Conroy, Director & Playwright
"Rhys is the best cheerleader a writer can have. Not just in terms of excellent dramaturgical skill and insight (it wasn't until he explained it to me that I understood what the heck is a midpoint) but also in terms of belief and energy - when he believed in a piece it gave me the feeling I could do anything with it. It's thanks in great part to his support that I'm finally represented."
— Noga Flaishon, Writer
"The feedback that Rhys gave us has been so helpful in developing the story and we really appreciate how generous he's been with his time and energy."
— Joel Stern & Mila Michael, Writers & Performers
"There are so many good writers out there, and all we need is a glimmer of visibility, which Rhys generously gave me, in a time of great need."
— Sophie Swithinbank, Playwright
"Rhys's notes were invaluable to me. He is both incredibly specific as a well as able to look at the piece as a whole in a way which made it feel like every note was helping to crystallise and streamline the overarching story."
— Gabriella Foley, Playwright & Actor
"Rhys is an extremely detailed, intelligent and caring dramaturg. Working with him on my piece was joyous because he treated it like his own - he took the time to truly understand the nuance and completely stepped into the text with ease and understanding. Rhys is fantastic at bringing feedback to the table in a constructive yet celebratory manner, and would be an extremely valuable part of anyone's journey"
— Anna Wicks, Writer, Director & Performer