Playwright Mentoring Programme
Applications are currently open
Applications are currently open
About
Deadline for applications: 5pm, Monday 25th November 2024.
Playwrights' Studio, Scotland is delighted to once again offer six playwrights support through the Playwright Mentoring Programme. This support is for playwrights who have not yet had a professional production and are keen to learn more about their craft or those who wish to consolidate their knowledge. It is a professional development opportunity for playwrights to build their playwriting skills and writing community, working towards completing a draft of a new play.
The Playwright Mentoring Programme follows an eight-month structure which includes one-to-one playwright mentoring sessions, financial support, Case Study Sessions, and opportunities to widen your creative community.
Content
Playwright Mentoring Sessions
Six one-to-one playwright mentoring sessions with an established professional playwright, 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.
Financial Support
To cover eight days of your time in contact with your mentor and with Playwrights' Studio, we will pay you a rate of £175 per day. The total amount you will receive is £1,400. Payment will occur monthly, after each mentoring session has taken place.
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. You will be able to set specific dates with your mentor for individual sessions monthly between February and July. The programme will take place over the course of eight months.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Playwright Mentoring Programme, you should:
Have some experience of writing for live performance
Not yet have had a full professional production on stage or, if you have, be looking to re-engage with playwriting after a significant pause in your career
Have a specific idea you want to develop into a full-length play
Be able to commit to an eight-month intense programme
You should also:
Be resident in Scotland or from Scotland and living elsewhere
Be available on Friday 31st January 2025 for the in person Playwright Introduction Day
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) at the start of the Playwright Mentoring Programme. 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 any 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 fifteen-page extracts from stage plays, or;
One fifteen-page extract from a stage play and one approximately 3,750 word 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, some experience of writing for live performance is essential.
If you have recently been through a similar development process with a play, you may not be prioritised in the selection process. This might include undertaking a Masters or other mentoring programme where you were supported to write a full play.
Your mentor will 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 Playwright Mentoring Application 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 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.
"I feel like this opportunity gave me the space and guidance not only to explore my craft, but figure out how I can work as a playwright in all its aspects. So not only did the programme help me become a better writer in my writing, but also in terms of networking, organisation and working collaboratively."
— Previous mentored playwright