Eme-bal (probably pronounced em-eh-ball-ah, but no one is entirely sure) is an ancient Sumerian word that means ‘language-turner’, used to designate the first professional translators and interpreters.
Through this residency, we invite writers to work with us without a time restriction to stretch their skills and explore a language different to their mother tongue. As part of Eme-bal, each guest writer will work on three projects:
- 1 new play
- 1 adaptation of a classic
- 1 dramaturgical project with a devised piece
Our first guest writer is Jen McGregor, whose native language is English. Jen is exploring Italian as her non-native language through this residency and the projects we are currently working on are:
- New play: Volante
- Adaptation: Niccolò Macchiaveli’s La Mandragola
- Dramaturgical project: Canto X, a devised piece inspired on Dante’s La Divina Commedia
If you are a writer and would like to join the residency, drop us a line. We have no formal application process at the moment, but we would love to hear your ideas.
