An award winning young people's playwright, poet, story writer, performer and director, Peter is a project manage, solo and collaborative artist, specialising in developing work for young people and community audiences in cross art form projects, in theatres, galleries, museums and site specific heritage work.

His play Jumping on my Shadow (2001) (Faber & Faber) is the only play written specifically for young people to have won the ACE/John Whiting Best Play Award (2002), and is one of two of Peter's plays cited as among the best plays for young audiences 1965-2015.

(http://aurorametro.com/products-page/drama-theatre-criticism/50-best-plays-for-young-audiences/).

Peter was recipient of an ACE Develop Your Creative Practice Award in 2021 exploring graphic novel writing.

Formerly the Writer in Residence at the Lakeside Art Gallery at the University of Nottingham (2010-2012), Peter has been Associate Writer in the Learning Team at Nottingham Contemporary art gallery since 2016, working with schools and universities to develop creative writing from contemporary art through:

• the Start Programme (2016-18) visuals artists and writers collaborating with schools

• and Schools of Tomorrow (2019-23), a Paul Hamlyn funded action research programme exploring whole school change through the arts.

Most recently at Nottingham Contemporary, Peter was recipient of a 2023/4 MAX LITERACY AWARD, working with unaccompanied teenage refugees at NEST (Nottingham Education Sanctuary Team) in galleries across the city.

He has also recently

• published with Nottingham Contemporary "I'm Going to Tell You a Story", 2023, a hands-on guide for parents with Early Years children, developing speaking and literacy through objects, drawing, storytelling and play.

• led a creative writing programme with Sound Café, Leicester (2020-2023), working with people who are homeless to create a film, 'Speaking of Homelessness', and has edited an anthology and advocacy book of the same title published in 2023.

• worked as the writer for The Mighty Creative's Wellbeing action research programme, exploring storytelling, creativity and wellbeing in primary schools, in the context of developing evaluation tools for such work (2022-23).

In 2024 Peter was commissioned by Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature to work with young people and the community as part of the Our City Our Stories 2024 programme in local libraries published https://nottinghamcityofliterature.com/projects/our-city-our-stories/

Peter was Senior Lecturer in Theatre Design in the School of Art & Design, Nottingham Trent University, between 1990 and 2019, and a manager at City Arts, Nottingham.

Peter's company Dragon Breath Theatre won the 2017 Judges' Special Award in the East Midlands Heritage Awards for their immersive museum interpretation work (‘The Cassandra Room’) at Wollaton Hall, and the 2014 Nottinghamshire Special Project Heritage Award for their work at Papplewick Pumping Station, where they have delivered a programme of performance interpretation and outreach work for the past 15 years.

Peter was previously a Creative Partnerships Cultural Partner researching into developing literacy and creative writing in schools and site specific settings, training teachers and emerging writers in these environments. He works alongside teachers to deliver both long term literacy programmes (see research portfolio) and short term projects in schools.

PUBLICATIONS/PLAYS/EXHIBITION TEXTS:

• ‘Our City Our Stories’, Nottingham City of Literature 2024, published online https://nottinghamcityofliterature.com/projects/our-city-our-stories/

Published in print by The Emma Press, 2026

• ‘A Word to Our City’ 2024 Nottinghham Contemporary/Max Literacy/NAWE/Engage

https://www.maxliteracy.org/resources/ for case study and downloadable resource designed to support writers working with refugee students and communities.

• 'I'm Going to Tell You a Story", Nottingham Contemporary, 2023

Downloadable book for families working with early years children https://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/record/im-going-to-tell-you-a-story/

• ‘Speaking of Homelessness’ - film and book published by Sound Café, Leicester, 2022

• ‘Jumping on My Shadow’: in Plays for children 2. London: Faber and Faber, Ayckbourn, A., ed.

https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571220809-plays-for-children-2/?srsltid=AfmBOooDTxx5Y5TIBw_mWDL4UjR9M00dWBcVEwANCBdfXb34hpPglREy

• "Immersive Learning through performance in Museums and Heritage Sites" publ Heritage Network-AHRC Connected Communities 2016

• "Seeing, Doing, Writing" (2016) Action research into developing literacy in galleries: http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/6/1/2158244016628590

• "Seeing, Doing, Writing" (2013) Action research into developing literacy in galleries: NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education) magazine

• "Tool box or Pandora's box?" (2008) Action research into animating literacy: Creative Partnerships website & NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education) magazine

• “Rainbow Stories” (Paper Space/ Lakeside Arts Centre) written with nursery school children and published by Paper Space Arts supported by ACE /Creative Partnerships 2006

MAJOR THEATRE & EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

• “PROJECT ENLIGHTENMENT”, 2019-20 (Donnington le Heath 1620s House and Garden / Dragon Breath Theatre / Mashi Theatre/ Leicestershire County Council). Sited performance and education programme with local primary schools. Writer/Performer

• “JUMPING ON MY SHADOW”, 2017 (Dragon Breath Theatre/ Nottingham Lakeside Arts/ Spark Arts for Children /Derby Theatre). Writer/Producer

• “THE CASSANDRA ROOM” (Dragon Breath Theatre/Nottingham City Museums and Galleries) Interactive exhibition 2016-2020 Writer/Producer

• “A CRACK IN TIME/A TEMPLE TO WATER” (Dragon Breath Theatre/Papplewick Pumping Station) Site specific immersive performances and education programme (History and environmental learning, KS1&2 (2014-2023) Writer/Producer/Performer

• “GULLIVER'S TRAVELS” 2012 adapted for the stage (Curve/Dragon Breath Theatre) Regional tour and education programme (exploring transition) for KS2 and 3. Writer/Producer

• “COSMOS” 2009 (Curve/ Dragon Breath Theatre) Performance and education programme/action research project. (Early Years immersive dance/multimedia performance exploring the nature of the universe). Writer/Producer

• “THE ICARUS PROJECT” 2007 (Dragon Breath Theatre/NTU) Performance and education programme (Science and creativity) for secondary schools. Writer/Producer

• “DRAGON BREATH” 2004 (Dragon Breath Theatre/NTU) Performance and education programme (exploring wellbeing) for primary schools. Writer/Producer

Other writing projects include:

• “Moving Voices”, Theatre Centre, Special Needs show 1995

• “The Man Who Planted Trees”, Community our, New Perspectives, 1997

• “The Rock”, Theatr Iolo, Special Needs show, 1998

• “Beyond the Wall and Over the Sea”, Primary show, Leicester Haymarket, 2001

• “The Red Tree” Paper Space Arts, Primary show, 2005

• “Rainbow Stories, Paper Space Arts, early Years show, /Lakeside Arts Centre, 2006

• “Spiral”, The Factory / Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2010

• “ Dream Play”, Big Window, a participatory performance for 2-4 year olds, 2011

CONTRIBUTED:

• "Theatre for angry children in an angry world", in Theatre for children and young people. ASSITEJ UK/Aurora . Bennet, S., ed.

• “Works & Things”: an anthology of creative writing strategies for teachers and the public June 2008

• “LEAP 08” and “KAPOW 09”: New writing anthologies from NTU MA Creative Writing Course

• “Absence of Light” Collaboration with photographer Zoë Childerly Loughborough Museum 2006

• “Wise Monkey” Commissioned and toured by with Arts Council 24-8 performance poetry tour 2002

• Collaborators: UK Design for Performance [catalogue]. London: Victoria & Albert Museum. RUMNEY, P. and SCRIVEN, N., 2007.

• Dramaturg, Fangs of Fortune, Leicester, 2018

• Writer, New Routes Kamishibai Stories by Syrian refugees, Spark Arts, Leicester, 2018

A wide range of workshops for professionals and others (Theatre Writing Partnership / Writernet / NAWE / Creative Partnerships CPD & INSET / Write Muse /

PRIZES & AWARDS:

Winner:
• Judges Special Award, East Midlands Heritage Awards for the Cassandra Room interactive exhibition at Wollaton Hall, 2017-2020 • Nottinghamshire Heritage Awards, for A Crack in Time, 2014 • Arts Council England John Whiting Award for Best Play, 2002

Short listed: • THES / ACE Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts 2007

• ACE Award for Young People's Theatre Writing 2005 • Brian Way Award for Young People’s Theatre Writing 2008 and 2009 • Nottingham Creative Business Awards (Writing & Publishing) 2009

Nominated:
• Kohn Award for Science Communication 2007

Commended: • Stephen Spender Memorial Award for Translation 2008

WORKING IN SCHOOLS & RESEARCHING LITERACY:

Peter spent many years working with Creative Partnerships, researching innovative ways of developing Literacy in the curriculum. He explores how ‘experiential’ learning via different art forms and multiple-intelligences can support Speaking, Listening and Writing. He collaborates with dancers, new media artists, musicians, fine artists, mask makers and drama practitioners. Most recently this work has been explored though his role at Nottingham Contemporary art gallery.

DRAGON BREATH THEATRE: Peter is Joint Artistic Director of Dragon Breath Theatre, which makes professional theatre with and for young people. The company specialises in sci-art and heritage collaborations, with artists, scientists, undergraduates, children & teachers working together to create epic, poetic, visual productions, & education research programmes engaging with complex scientific and historical ideas.

DEVELOPING OTHER WRITERS: Peter was part of Leicestershire’s Write Muse team, writers responding to museum objects & paintings in a county-wide creative writing programme, working with teachers and other providers, and publishing Words & Things, an anthology of creative writing strategies. He has also worked as a dramaturg, supporting new playwrights and choreographers to develop their work in different genres.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT & COLLABORATIONS: Peter has developed many project partnerships & collaborations. He was Combined Arts Officer at East Midlands Arts; Education Officer at London Borough of Barnet; and Joint Manager of City Arts, Nottingham. His site specific (poetry) collaboration with photographer Zoë Childerly An Absence of Light was exhibited at Loughborough Museum (2006). Performance poem Wise Monkey was commissioned & toured by the ACE 24-8 Poetry Tour (2002). Peter contributed to The Factory’s 50:50 New Writing programme at Hampstead Theatre and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Peter achieved distinction in his MA in Creative Writing, focussing on poetry and fiction for children & young adults.

Theatre Commissions: Standard industry rates

Education Work: I charge according to ability to pay.
The biggest resource I require are the people I work with, children and/or adults. I generally prefer to work in as large a space as possible (e.g. transforming the school hall) as my work supporting the development of writing is kinaesthetic, visual and dramatic. However, I also work in the classroom where appropriate, and make full use of digital media to enhance the learning experience.

Peter Rumney has been engaged to work on a number of Creative Partnerships projects in schools in the East Midlands. His work is highly regarded, always well received, imaginative and innovative, and planned and delivered with responsibility and care. As well as his work as an individual practitioner on participatory projects with young people and school staff, Peter's work with Creative Partnerships also led to the creation of Dragon Breath Theatre, which has brought together young people, teachers, theatre professionals, scientists and other specialists to produce ground breaking young people's theatre.

Director of Creative Learning The Mighty Creatives (TMC)

Working with Peter. (by a year 6 pupil, a recent immigrant from Libya)

On Monday afternoon Year Six and the Children from the Foundation Unit worked with Peter (aged 18, from France) [sic] from the Creative Partnerships, to design a creative building in the old Foundation Unit space. The children had to use their Imagination working in the Hall.

Firstly, all of the Children had to warm up to get ready to use their imagination. Quickly, Peter asked the Children to stand up and copy his movements, as he shook to the music. The Children found this very amusing. Because he was shivering, the Children fell on the floor laughing. By the time the Children had calmed down it was time to move on.

Then, Peter asked the Children to lay down. The Teachers were gutted because they did not think that this was hard enough work! Peter helped the Children to travel to a dark, scary forest in their minds. All of Class Six truly enjoyed this experience. After the Children had seen the scary forest, everybody saw their own imaginary building. Class Six were so relaxed that they all yawned! A. [the author] aged eleven from Libya, commented that Children were so lazy. The Children built the building that they saw, with craft materials.

As Peter walked [sic] in the Hall, he told Class Six to work with the Foundation Unit Children. The Year Six Children were puzzled. Peter told the Children to get in to twos and one person would have to go to get a Foundation Unit Child to work with. When all of the Children were together in the Hall, Peter told a story about a monkey. All of the older Children thought that this was a bit babyish but a very funny story. After, the year six Children had to work with the Foundation Unit Children to draw a special place for hard work and fun for the monkey.

Eventually, the job was done. The Year Six Children had finished their task (to design and build a creative building) and were asked to tidy up the Hall. Peter was so impressed he told the Class Teacher that he thought they were brilliant! The teacher walked into Class Six and shouted "Brilliant" as she poured the whole marble jar into the other pot. Class Six were on Cloud nine. Because Year Six had enjoyed working with Peter, They were excited about working with him after Christmas.