The Young Writers Group was set up to carry on the Traverse tradition of encouraging and developing the voices of writers based in Scotland. Open to writers aged 15-25, the group offers young writers the opportunity to work in the same context as a professional writer commissioned by the Traverse, offering them access to development of their writing through professional actors and Traverse Directors and Dramaturgs. The group is split into three sections (beginners, intermediate and senior) which members progress through over a three year period. In the early years, the emphasis is on developing the skills of writing for the stage, while later on, writers are encouraged to work on full-length plays. On occasion, members of the group have gone on to receive commissions, and subsequently productions, from the Traverse Theatre.