Each week we look through our pile of writing opportunities to pick out one we think is particularly worth your time. It could be an innovative brief, great prize money, a high-profile company, or just plain fun.
This week’s pick: Theatre503 Award 2016 & Theatre503 Five
Description: Theatre503’s Playwriting Award is an unprecedented opportunity for playwrights at all levels to be recognised for writing an outstanding, original piece of work for the stage. It will build upon the foundation of the venue’s reputation for engaging with the next generation of playwrights, whilst broadening its opportunities to include more experienced, produced writers. This biennial award has been made possible by the generous support of The Richard Carne Trust, Curtis Brown Creative, Arts Council England and our publishing partners Nick Hern Books. The winner of the award will receive a financial prize of £6000 and a guaranteed production of their winning play at Theatre503.
The 503Five is an eighteen month Resident Writer Training Programme for developing playwrights. It provides the five chosen writers with a full-length play commission, a personal industry mentor, workshops and masterclasses led by industry professionals, practical opportunities to develop their work, varying public presentations, and the vital experience of working in a writer-centric new writing theatre.
To be considered for the 503Five you should have no full-length professional production credits.This is defined as a run of 3 weeks or more in an established venue for which you have received coverage from the national press.
So, what’s so great about it? If you’re thinking about where you might want to go with your writing in 2016, this one could be for you. This prestigious award is definitely one of the forerunners in new writing competitions and the winner gets £6000 no less, as well as a guaranteed production at esteemed new writing venue, Theatre503. We like that this submission process is a double whammy, if eligible, applicants will also be considered for Theatre503 Five, an 18 month development programme which also results in a full length production.
Submissions open on 1 February 2016 and close on 29 February – but we reckon this is the sort of application you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to work on, especially as you need a full length play to apply.
Read the full details here.
Please note, we’ve posted this for your convenience and we’re not affiliated with the organisers of the opportunity in any way.