Writer in residence at York Theatre Royal

During his residency, he will present a series of masterclasses in October and November, as well as working on the staging of his controversial play, Patient No. 1, for performance at the Theatre Royal early next year.

Freed, winner of the PEN Prize for Drama in 2006, is widely regarded to be America's leading political playwright. He is now a temporary American exile, on leave from the University of Southern California, and is at present artist in residence at the Workshop Theatre, Leeds University.

Looking forward to his York residency, he says: "I will be at York Theatre Royal on a grant from America to present Patient No. 1, which was feared in America as being politically unacceptable and will instead preview in York in 2008.

"I'm also extremely excited about presenting the masterclass series, which will be dedicated to Matthew Arnold's battle cry, 'The theatre is revolutionary, organise the theatre'. I've chosen to work at the Theatre Royal because of the extraordinary courage and lucidity of its artistic director, Damian Cruden, and the entire company.

"They're in the process of inventing a new theatre in York and a new theatre 'changes history' as Albert Camus said, and that's why I'm spending a year in this home away from home at York Theatre Royal."

The six-week masterclasses will include guest participants: professional writers, directors and actors, authors and academics.

Readings, performances and discussions will take place at the Theatre Royal and The Old Vic, London.