Belvoir works with the most exciting writers in the country in the shared pursuit of vigorous new work. We think plays, in all their myriad forms, are wonderful things. We are as interested in the possibilities of content as we are in the modern explosion of form. When it comes to writers, we enjoy the beauty of experience and the excitement of promise in equal measure.
We are looking to develop and produce new work which is surprising, compassionate, well-crafted, adventurous, and, most of all, theatrical.
We are looking for stories with big ideas about original, diverse, urgent and occasionally outlandish subjects.
We are looking to nurture writers from culturally diverse backgrounds who have the potential to take on positions of cultural leadership.
And we are looking to nurture writers who are at the beginning of an intrepid and serious life of writing for the stage.
Sending in Your Script
You can email us your play any time. Please note that we can only accept one play per playwright at any given time. This is how the process works...
Email a copy of your play to Anthea Williams, our Literary Manager, along with a short description – half a page is plenty. We will email you back to let you know we have received your script. We will then have a read of your play. Please be aware that this process may take several months. After that you will receive one of two responses to your work:
- If we feel your work has a place on stage or in development at Belvoir we will invite you to begin a larger conversation about your work.
- If we feel your work does not have a place on stage or in development at Belvoir we will email you to thank you for your submission and wish you the best with your future writing. In order to make the best use of our resources, we will not be able to provide individual feedback in this instance.
Development Opportunities for Plays and Writers
If we think you or your play might be the real deal, we will do what we can to nurture your writing. This may include:
• Dramaturgical support
• Readings and workshopping
• Financial support
• Commissioning
• Residencies and attachments
• Access to rehearsals and developments
• Mentorship
• Production
The intention is to give you an opportunity to soak up the inherited craft and knowledge that make up the expertise of a theatre company.
Belvoir commissions writers of undeniable ability to write ambitious and original new works for production in one of our two theatres. Commissions are usually by invitation, and are usually reserved for projects that have a serious chance of ending up on stage. Occasionally, writers will be invited by Belvoir to write about a specific subject or to write for a specific project.
We sometimes commission emerging writers – usually we will offer a single-draft commission on a speculative basis. Some emerging writers are also eligible for commission via the Parsons Award.
The Philip Parsons Young Playwrights’ Award
Belvoir and Arts NSW present an annual playwriting award to a NSW-based writer under the age of 35. Entries open in May of each year, and the winner is commissioned to write a new work for Belvoir. Previous winners have included Brendan Cowell, Khoa Do, Jonathan Gavin, Kate Mulvany, Tommy Murphy, Tahli Corin, Matthew Whittet and Zoe Coombs Marr. Recent Parsons commissions have included Cowell’s Ruben Guthrie, Mulvany’s The Seed and Murphy’s Gwen in Purgatory.
The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright's Award
The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright’s Award is a $20,000 award for the creation of a new play by an Indigenous playwright. This national award will be presented for the next three years. The award comprises $7,500 prize money and a $12,500 commission for a new play each year. Applications will be accepted from writers of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. They will be assessed by a panel including both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists.
Deadline: 6pm Friday 31st August 2012
For full details including guidelines and application form see The Balnaves Award webpage.
Written Assessments
If you would like a written assessment of your work we refer you to the Australian Writers' Guild. Information on their script assessment services can be found here.
Development and promotion opportunities can also be found through Playwriting Australia.
