Fifth Word Theatre Company and Nottingham Playhouse have opened a one-act play competition to uncover new playwriting talent across the East Midlands.
Supported by Arts Council England, the competition is for writers who are at an early stage of their careers and who have not had more than one play professionally produced.
Fifth Word and Nottingham Playhouse are looking for “original, compelling pieces written specifically for the stage that have contemporary relevance”. All entries will be read by a panel of artists and industry professionals.
Angharad Jones of Fifth Word said, “we’re thrilled to be working in partnership with Nottingham Playhouse to provide a genuine opportunity to identify the most talented home-grown writers. Ideally we'll be finding the next Lucy Prebble or Simon Stephens.”
The winner will receive a rehearsed reading of his or her play, a 12-month attachment with Fifth Word based at Nottingham Playhouse, £2,000 of development money, a mentor for support and guidance and a £500 budget to “go and see theatre”.
Submissions should be submitted by 15 July. The winner and runners-up will be announced on 8 September. A rehearsed reading of the winning entry and extracts from plays by the runners-up will be showcased at a new writing event at Nottingham Playhouse later that month. Further details are available at the Fifth Word web site.
Fifth Word and Nottingham Playhouse previously worked together on a co-production of Amateur Girl by Nottingham playwright Amanda Whittington which toured in 2014.