Disabled Playwright Support Programme
Applications are currently open
Applications are currently open
Playwrights' Studio, Scotland in partnership with Birds of Paradise Theatre Company
Deadline for applications: 5pm, Monday 25th November 2024.
We’ve listened to aspiring disabled playwrights telling us they need support to establish themselves within the sector – a sector that needs more diverse writers within it. As a result, we’ve made some changes to the Disabled Playwright Support Programme that will enable us to help more writers reach the next level with their writing. The programme will now see two disabled playwrights per year receive focused support to develop a new idea over the course of six months. The programme is designed for ideas that haven’t yet made it to first draft stage. Each writer will receive a bursary to support their writing time, three sessions with an experienced theatre artist to develop their work, and a day long workshop with professional actors and a director, as well as the opportunity to interact with their peers through Case Study Sessions and networking opportunities.
The Disabled Playwright Support Programme is a professional development opportunity for a disabled* playwright living in Scotland, with a commitment to writing for theatre.
Content
Sessions and Workshop
Three one-to-one sessions with an experienced theatre artist, who will support you from the initial idea to the first draft of a new, full-length play. This support gives you the space and time to experiment with your writing and grow in confidence as a playwright. Once you have completed a draft of your play you will have a day long workshop with professional actors and a director.
Financial Support
A bursary of £3,200. This is roughly equivalent to 18 days and will be paid in three instalments, with the last after the final project debrief.
Case Study Sessions
These sessions are group activities available to you as a playwright currently being supported by Playwrights' Studio. They are designed to enhance your skills and knowledge of the theatre industry, give you the opportunity to ask questions and think about the other sides of being a playwright that don't necessarily involve writing.
Community
Playwrights' Studio will create space for you to make connections with your peers within the industry. This includes the Playwright Introduction Day, a group visit to the theatre, invitations to meet other practitioners in Scottish theatre and social events with other playwrights.
Key dates
The Playwright Introduction Day will take place on Friday 31st January 2025.
Case Study Sessions happen around once a month from February to September. We will work with you to set specific dates for the rest of your sessions and workshop. The programme will take place over the course of six months.
Eligibility
This award is open to anyone who identifies as disabled and meets the criteria for applying to the programme.
To be eligible to apply for the Disabled Playwright Support Programme, you should:
Have some experience of writing for live performance
Have a specific idea you want to develop into a full-length play
Be able to commit to an six-month intense programme
Self-identify as being disabled or having a long-term health condition
You should also be:
Be resident in Scotland or from Scotland and living elsewhere
Available for the in person Playwright Introduction Day on Friday 31st January 2025
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from playwrights who:
Are in full-time formal education (i.e. 16 hours total or more per week). If you are in part-time education, please contact us to discuss your options.
Have received financial support from Playwrights' Studio in the previous 18 months (this doesn't include attending workshops or groups run by us).
If you are in doubt regarding your eligibility, please contact us at info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk
Access & Equality
Applying
As part of your application, you will be asked to:
Tell us about your experience as a writer to date.
(Suggested word count: 500)
Tell us about why you would like to participate in the programme and why you think it may help you right now.
(Suggested word count: 500)
Tell us about the idea you would like to develop into a play
(Suggested word count: 500)
Submit two samples of your writing. Either:
Two five-page extracts from stage plays, or;
One five-page extract from a stage play and one five-page extract of writing in any genre.
Here are a few things you may want to think about before you proceed with your application:
This process isn’t about ‘teaching’ you how to write a play but supporting you to grow your writing skills. For this reason, it is beneficial to have some experience of writing for live performance.
This programme is designed to support you from the initial idea through to the first draft of a full-length play. For this reason, you should only apply if the idea you’re proposing hasn’t already been written.
Please submit using the Disabled Playwright Support Programme form. You can either submit a written application, or a video application. We accept submissions in English, Scots, Gaelic or BSL.
If you are unable to submit online and would like the application form in a different format or have any questions at all regarding or the application process, please email info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk.
Applications deadline: 5pm, Monday 25th November 2024.
What happens next?
You will receive an email from Jotform confirming the submission of your application. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their submission by Thursday 19th December 2024.
Questions?
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions. If your question is not answered, please email info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk and we will be happy to help.
*A note on terminology - what do we mean by disabled?
We use the term 'disabled people' or 'disabled playwrights' to refer to anyone who self-identifies as disabled. This can include D/deaf people if they identify as disabled as well as others living with impairments (physical, sensory, learning, cognitive, mental health, etc.) that identify as disabled. Playwrights' Studio use the Social Model of Disability and recognise that some people experience disabling barriers.