Playwright Mentoring Programme
Applications are currently closed
Applications are currently closed
About
Deadline for applications: 4pm, Friday 10th November 2023.
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 seven days of your time in contact with your mentor and with Playwrights' Studio, we will pay you a rate of £150 per day. The total amount you will receive is £1,050. 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 a group visit to the theatre, invitations to meet other practitioners in Scottish theatre and social events with other playwrights.
Playwrights Introduction Day
This in person event will give you the opportunity to meet with others being supported by Playwrights Studio, as well as with the staff of Playwrights Studio, Birds of Paradise Theatre Company and Comhairle nan Leabhraichean. The Playwrights Introduction Day will take place on Wednesday 24th January 2024.
Key dates
You will be able to set specific dates with your mentor for individual sessions monthly between January and June. Case Study Sessions happen around once a month from February to September.
Wednesday 24th January 2023 Playwright Introduction Day (in person)
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a Playwright Mentoring Programme, you should:
Have some experience of writing for live performance
Not yet have had a full professional production or wish to consolidate your practice after a break from the industry
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 Wednesday 24th January 2024 for the in person Playwright Introduction Day
We are unable to accept applications from playwrights who:
Are in full-time formal education (i.e. 16 hours 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 directly received 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
Here are a few things you may want to think about before you proceed with your application:
We don't think of this work as teaching 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: 4pm, Friday 10th November 2023.
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 Friday 15th December 2023.
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