Can you write a play for Live Theatre's stage?
Second playwriting competition announced
The call out has been announced for Live Theatre’s second North East Playwriting Award – looking for a talent to follow Emilie Robson with her inaugural winner, Dogs On The Metro.
There can be no better launchpad for a new play or playwright than the theatre on Newcastle Quayside which has been dedicated to new writing since its foundation in 1973.
And this, by any standards, is a gilt-edged opportunity.
The Award is open to all writers over the age of 16 who are from, living or working in the North East – and the offer to playwrights (budding or otherwise) is a commission fee for a full-length play to be produced for the Live Theatre stage.
Alongside it is a second Young Person’s Award, offering a package of research and development support to someone aged 16 to 25.
Jack McNamara, Live’s artistic director, is keen to see the success of last year’s inaugural competition repeated.
“We are so excited to open this award up for a second time after being blown away by last year’s submissions and winners,” he says.
“Whether you are new to playwriting or an established name, all plays are read anonymously and will be given equal consideration.
“The North East clearly has a lot to say and we hope this open window encourages writers of all backgrounds and experience to take a punt and send their work in.”
Emilie Robson would endorse all that following the enthusiastic reception for her Dogs On The Metro, a story of a relationship set on our passenger transport network and with a complex chronology.
“Winning the North East playwriting prize was genuinely life-changing,” she says.
“Opportunities for new playwrights can be thin on the ground so prizes like these are not only hugely validating but a genuine pipeline to seeing your work realised on stage.”
Connor Dorrian, last year’s winner of the Young Person’s Award, says: “Winning the under 26 North East Playwriting Award was a giant step in my career, opening many new doors while also giving me confidence to pursue my creative passion.
“Working with Live Theatre has been surreal. They have helped develop not only my play but my skills as a writer.”
The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday, October 31.
The competition is open to full-length plays but not sketches, screenplays or adaptations – and if the play hasn’t been written or completed, treatments will be considered if they offer a full story outline with characters, a description of the play’s “world and style” and a sample scene.
You can find advice and details of how to apply here on the Live Theatre website.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, September 6 – the day before the Great North Run – writers are invited to ‘take over’ Live Theatre’s spaces to plan, write and/or seek advice from the resident professionals.
This is the Great North Write (no Vaseline or safety pins required but refreshments will be available).