THE Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre has announced their new associate artist - Newport-born writer and performer Connor Allen.

The venue has been working with the performer since 2018 but now he will benefit from a wide range of support from the venue as part of the Associate Artist relationship.

The support that the Riverfront will provide includes an ongoing creative mentor, practical assistance including help with funding applications, rehearsal space, production, technical and marketing support.

Alongside this, the venue are intending to learn from the expertise of their growing pool of associates and intend to lead to a programme of audience-engaged work to allow the audience to benefit from the relationships.

Mr Allen's debut play Working Not Begging is being supported by the venue - and is the highlight of their Spring season.

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Mr Allen said: "I'm just a kid from a council estate in Newport so I am beyond excited for this opportunity. The family at the Riverfront are such a welcoming and supportive bunch who not only bring the best out of me creatively but have supported and nurtured me for a long time now. I'm thrilled to collaborate my passion and engagement with the warmth and intensity of the arts family at the Riverfront.

"I'm super excited about the possibilities this position will offer and the opportunities that will present not only for myself, but for the team at The Riverfront and the community of Newport. I know what it means to other kids and artists in Newport to see someone like me in this position, and I hope it will inspire and nurture a new wave of talent to engage with the building and its team to bring Newport's vast and diverse voices to centre stage."

Tickets for Working Not Begging, which takes to the stage on Tuesday 5 & Wednesday 6 May are available now from newportlive.co.uk/riverfront, or by calling 01633 656757.