Neela Doležalová

A former member of the Writers’ Attachment Programme at Soho Theatre, Neela has worked in both commercial and community-based theatre for over 20 years. Her writing credits include PLAYING FIELDS (Soho Theatre 2002), LOCK THE GATES (National Youth Theatre 2003), STOP. REWIND. (Tamasha Theatre & Mulberry School for Girls 2011), and DISTURBED (National Prison Radio and Documental Theatre 2021). Her TV pilot GIRLA was shortlisted for the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition for TV drama in 2021.

Neela has experience working with verbatim theatre techniques, specifically ‘headphone verbatim’ theatre. She is the creator of shows including THE TALK (Highly Commended at VAULT Festival 2018) and AT HOME I SPEAK (Being Human Festival 2019). She is the co-creator of multiple other verbatim shows including Longsite Theatre’s YOUNG HOT BLOODS (From the Forest Festival 2018) and Bhuchar Boulevard Theatre Company’s DECOLONISATION: NOT JUST A BUZZWORD (SOAS University 2019 and 2020). For a full list of Neela’s writing and theatre-making credits please visit the Writers’ Guild website.

Neela is currently a writer in residence at Gearies Primary School in Redbridge, where she is producing 1000 WORDS FOR BELONGING.

Neela is also a qualified maths teacher and has taught maths, economics, drama, PSHE and script-writing at schools across London. Combining her teaching and writing background, Neela has facilitated workshops, courses and devised projects for Hampstead Theatre, The Tricycle Theatre, Cardboard Citizens, Belgrade Theatre, Drama Studio London, RADA, East 15 and LIPA. She regularly co-teaches with director and mentor, Kristine Landon-Smith.

Neela grew up in Brent, and despite her enduring love for the centre of the universe - Cricklewood - she is now based in East London.