Open submissions for annual ATYP Foundation Playwrights Commission

The Australian Theatre for Young People (atyp) has opened submissions for the annual ATYP Foundation Playwrights Commission. 

Now in its third year with this important Commission, the atyp Foundation recognises that tens of thousands of children aged between 10 and 13 participate in drama activities in Australia every year. Despite this, very few scripts are professionally developed for this age group to perform.

In 2012 the atyp Foundation launched their Playwriting Commission to address this issue and create a new body of work to engage and excite Australian kids and audiences for years to come.

The commission offers the successful playwright (or writing team) $10,000 to develop a short (45 – 55 minute) script suitable to be performed by actors aged between 10 and 13. In addition to the commissioning fee the winning applicant will also receive: expenses to the travel to Sydney to workshop the script; confirmation that the script will be programmed by ATYP; and confirmation that the script will be published by Playlab.

Applications will be accepted from playwrights of all ages and levels of experience.

Emerging playwright Jessica Bellamy was the inaugural winner with her work Compass. The play was produced at ATYP in October 2013 and during the sold out season it became the first ever show live streamed by the company. A single performance reached over 700 students across three states.

The play was also nominated for the Best Childrens Show for the 2013 Sydney Theatre Awards.

Logie and AFI award winning screen writer John Armstrong is the 2014 winner, and his play Luke Lloyd Alienoid is in development, to be performed at the ATYP Theatre in October.

For full details about the commission and conditions of entry please go to www.atyp.com.au.