Call Out: Lead Author x2

Lead Author x2 - Call-Out

We are looking for two Lead Authors to work with us on creating new audio story installations as part of The Story Den Project with children aged 7-11 in Wigan and Leigh, Greater Manchester.


The Story Den Project is a continuation of our work co-creating audio stories, most recently with Cub that has been shared with over 4,000 young people and their families in the East Midlands and North West. During this new phase: we will co-create audio story installations with children aged 7-11 years old in Wigan and Leigh in October 2026, creating two new short audio stories focussed on our relationship with nature & the climate crisis; commission a designer to create three bespoke pop-up structures between January-March 2027; and finally tour the story installations to eight libraries across Wigan borough over twelve weeks between June-September 2027.

About the Role

Fee: £3,000 per Lead Author (plus expenses)

Key dates:

Start date: 14 September 2026

Wigan Group sessions: 26 - 30 October 2026 at Wigan Youth Zone (over 4 days)

Leigh Group sessions: w/c 12 October - w/c 9 November 2026 (weekly)

Deadline for final draft: w/c 23 November 2026

Recording: February 2027


We are looking for two Lead Authors to co-create our two new stories with local young people aged 7-11 - one story being created with a group at Wigan Youth Zone and one with schools at Leigh Library. The Lead Authors will be working with one group each and be supported by a co-creation facilitator for these sessions.


The audio stories will be around 12 minutes long and have a focus on the climate crisis, nature and British wildlife. The aim is to create ‘Thrutopias’ - stories that provide realistic and actionable paths to a more sustainable future, not the despair offered by Dystopias or the unattainable heights of Utopias. We would also like to explore and develop a more regenerative practice and are working with a Regenerative Creative Friend during the project to learn more about incorporating permaculture design. We are open to the stories’ form - for example, they can take a theatrical/dramatic form, a prose form or poem form but must have a followable narrative.


As this role involves working directly with young people, the Lead Authors will have an Enhanced DBS check or be willing to get one.


Responsibilities include:

  • Engaging with the climate focussed themes of the project both in creative content and ways of working

  • Collaborating with the co-creation facilitator to create sessions plan and deliver engaging sessions with young people aged 7-11

  • Ensuring all safeguarding measures are adhered to during the session, in collaboration with our partners

  • Write an audio story, about 12 minutes in length, ready to be recorded and designed by a Sound Artist


We would love to hear from local artists as we are a new organisation to Wigan and the North West and aim to build our network locally to ensure we can work sustainably now and moving forward.


We would love to hear from people who:

  • Have a developed practice and strong track record of working and creating with young people

  • Are able to unleash young people’s imagination and creativity through playful and engaging activities

  • Value young people’s creativity and ensure their ideas, imagination and perspectives are carried through into the final artistic outputs

  • Are interested in climate action and climate art

How to apply

Please send a CV, short cover letter (1 page max.) and an example of your work (1 page or 3 minutes max.) to the Producer, Courtenay, at courtenay@carbontheatre.org.uk. The cover letter and example can be sent as a written piece no longer than 1 page, video or audio file no longer than 3 minutes.

Deadline for applications: 12pm (noon), Tuesday 1 September 2026.

We will then invite some applicants for a short online interview.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by Monday 21 September 2026.

Further Information

The role is on a freelance contract and you will be responsible for your own tax and national insurance responsibilities. We encourage applications from anyone interested in being part of this project. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunities encouraging and embracing diversity and inclusivity in all areas of activity. We have an access budget to support access needs and reasonable adjustments during the project, including this recruitment phase.

If you require any access support in submitting an application to us or would like to submit your application in an alternative format, please email courtenay@carbontheatre.org.uk

Courtenay Johnson