The Kevin Elyot Award was established in 2016 as an annual award of £3,000 given to support a writer-in-residence at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection. It is given in memory of Kevin Elyot (1951-2014) – an alumnus of the University of Bristol Drama Department – and the influence he has had on writing and the Arts. The award has been generously funded by an endowment given to the University by members of Kevin’s family.
It is hoped that the award will, each year, enable a writer to be inspired by his work and help them develop their own practice. The Kevin Elyot Archive is held at the Theatre Collection, and comprises scripts, correspondence, manuscript and publicity material detailing Elyot’s working process from initial idea to finished product.
Each year, the award supports a promising writer, creative practitioner or scholar to begin the process of creating a new written work. The award holder will use the Kevin Elyot Archive as well as other holdings within the Theatre Collection to inspire a new dramatic work or other creative or academic outcome.
The £3,000 award covers a stipend towards living expenses during the residency, any materials, and other costs including basic dissemination activities. The time to be spent at the Theatre Collection is flexible; it could be undertaken in blocks of weeks or more days spread over a number of months as appropriate, and this time is to be used to start the writing process.
It could be the beginning of a substantial undertaking or the opportunity to complete a shorter piece in the given timeframe. However, it is expected that the new work resulting from the award will be publicly disseminated within a reasonable timescale, usually within 12-18 months following the completion of the award. Other dissemination activities are expected to take place during the residency.
The Theatre Collection staff will help support the award holder with the archival research process, and additional support may be offered on writing by a professional writer. Dissemination activities may be supported with the use of space and facilities at the Theatre Collection, as appropriate.
Applications will be assessed by a panel comprising a mixture of curators, academics and professional theatre practitioners/writers. A shortlist will be agreed by all panel members which will then be discussed in person, with a final decision usually made on the day.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of June 2023.
Download the Kevin Elyot Award 2023 supporting information for further details of the award and the application process.
Deadline: 23 April 2023
Source: Write A Play