The Old Electric in Blackpool's playwriting competition is part of its Power Plays festival supporting new writing for the stage, which runs until July.
Launching on Friday 17 May, the competition is inviting writers to submit original scripts of 45–75 minutes in length for performance by four actors or fewer that "showcase themes which have resonance to Blackpool, while also exploring positive new perspectives on the region."
The judging panel comprises the theatre's Artistic Director, Melanie Whitehead, playwright Nick Wood (Warrior Square, A Girl With A Book), literary manager, critic and dramaturg Dr Frank Peschier, writer Iskandar Sharazuddin and Power Plays Festival writer-in-residence Martha Pailing.
The winning writer's work will be workshopped then presented in a fully rehearsed production on Saturday 27 July 2024. The Old Electric will subsequently work with the writer of the winning play alongside producers, funders and venues with a view to touring in 2025. Runner-up plays will be workshopped to a script-in-hand read-through, and some playwrights will be selected for one-to-one mentoring from industry professionals.
Submissions will be accepted from 12 noon on Friday 17 May 2024 until 12 noon on Friday 31 May 2024 and all winners will be notified by 12 noon on Monday 17 June 2024. See The Old Electric's web site for details.