07/04/2021
BOLD Playwrights Please Apply!
As well as creating our own work, we want to champion & support the work of playwrights. We believe there are too few opportunities for writers to develop their plays in a process that involves other creatives & enables them to ‘see’ their work. So, we are thrilled to launch BOLD Playwrights: an exciting new playwright & play development programme.
The BOLD Playwrights Scheme offers two playwrights a rare opportunity to have a first draft developed from page to stage. The scheme includes dramaturgical sessions & workshops with dramaturg, director & actors. It culminates in a final semi-staged rehearsed reading at BOLD Elephant for an invited industry audience. This project is funded by the BOLD company.
PROCESS
BOLD Playwrights is designed to support playwrights through five stages of developing a play, from first draft to first industry reading, over the course of 12 weeks.
The BOLD Playwrights Scheme will be divided into the following stages:
WORDS Dramaturgical workshops focused on an already written first draft:
· An initial meeting to discuss the writer's inspiration and vision
· An initial script read and preparation of notes
· A follow up dramaturgical meeting to discuss the development of the play
· A 2nd script read and preparation of notes
ACTIONS Development workshops with actors:
One day (or 2 x ½ days) workshop with a dramaturg & actors
Observe the actors responding to your script
Hear your words & receive feedback from the actors
VISIONS Development workshops with actors & a director:
· 2-days of workshops with actors, directors & a dramaturg
Experience being in the rehearsal room as a writer
Develop a relationship with the director
Observe their work on your play with the actors
See your play take shape
STAGING A rehearsal process culminating in a semi-staged reading for an invited audience:
· A further 2 days of rehearsals with a dramaturg, director & actors
· An evening script in hand / semi-staged performance with an invited industry audience at the end of the second day
FUTURES A session for the writer, with the dramaturg & director of your play, in which to assess, reflect, discuss feedback, evaluate & consider future options.
The project is expected to take place between June – Sept 2021 on dates to be agreed.
We will confirm your submission, the outcome of your application & all applicants will be notified about future opportunities at BOLD Elephant. We are running this first BOLD Playwrights Scheme as a pilot project & if successful we hope to run it for more writers in 2022. Please let us know if you would not like to be included on our mailing list.
Shortlisted applicants will receive feedback & be invited to meet in person / remotely during June. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer feedback to everyone who applies.
WHO CAN APPLY
UK residents over 18 years old.
You will need the first draft of a stage play that you’re interested in developing.
All levels of experience are welcome & we would particularly encourage playwrights who identify as Global Ethnic Majority, LGBTQIA+, marginalised genders, neurodivergent, d/Deaf, disabled, visually impaired, 1st & 2nd generation immigrants, women over 40 & working class to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
You will need to send:
An up to 15 page sample from any part of the play you'd like to develop.
A personal CV that also includes any playwriting/theatre experience.
A synopsis of your play (no more than 150 words).
A brief statement (max. 200 words) answering the questions - Why is this opportunity important to you? Why this play?
Download & complete Equal Opportunities Form (which will be kept separate from application)
All submissions should be emailed to: [email protected]
We will open for submissions between 9am Thursday 8th April and 11.59pm Fri 23rd April 2021. Any submissions received after this will not be eligible.
BOLD Playwrights will take place at BOLD Elephant & requires the writers’ physical attendance at most sessions. Please talk to us about any specific requirements you may have in terms of making this opportunity accessible. The building has disabled access & we are able to fund some access costs.
Please note, unfortunately, we aren’t able to support travel, accommodation or subsidence costs to attend the workshops.
Facilitators
Sarah Davey-Hull (director)
Sarah is the Artistic Director of BOLD, she has most recently commissioned & directed new plays by Anna Jordan, Chris Bush & Hannah Khalil for the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.
Steve Harper (dramaturg)
Steve is a BOLD Associate & the Literary Manager at T503. In this role, he has supported hundreds of debut playwrights.
