So what you working on?

Maybe you’re trying poetry for the first time and you’re actually starting to feel pretty good about it. Maybe you’ve got a 10-20 minute script, or a physical performance piece you’re mapping out. As terrifying as it sounds, how about getting it performed on a platform? In a space? With an audience?

I know it’s probably scary if you haven’t done many, or maybe you’re a seasoned veteran of having your pieces work-shopped – either way we have the opportunities for you.

Scratch nights are great opportunities to use a venue and it’s team to workshop a new or unfinished piece of live performance for feedback and just to see it on stage. There’s nothing better to test a piece of writing than to see it being performed, and if you can get up the courage, then trust me it’s worth it.

They give you the chance to work collaboratively with other artists, make connections with venues, and some even provide industry connections or, occasionally, payment. It’s your chance to take the lonely act of writing, and join up with others to connect, develop and inspire.

There’s some great opportunities coming up this April and May, and we’ve collected them together for you to take a look over. You can find more information on each of the website provided, as well as how to apply. Please bear in mind that, unless specified, none of these opportunities are paid.

+ Papatango Playwright Support +

Papatango have announced a brand-new, completely free offer for playwrights including digital workshops, open-access funding, one-to-one advice, in-person events, and representation on a searchable industry database. The Studio will be a home for playwrights of all levels of experience, helping the team to connect and make a range of opportunities accessible in a joined-up, sustained writing package.

If you become a member of the Studio (it’s completely free!) you can access:

• Digital workshops led by Papatango’s award-winning team;
  
• One-to-one advice via our fortnightly online live chat
  
• Thousands of pounds in open-access funding
  
• In-person networking events nationwide
  
• Interviews with Papatango Prize-winners
  
• Representation: build your own profile on this website listing your experience, available scripts and creative interests, searchable by other creatives and producers.

Take a look on their website here for further info!

+ lowercase Theatre +

lowercase Theatre are holding an open scratch night in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, for 10-20 minute performances, ranging from poetry, music, stand-up comedy to theatre. Submissions across different forms are encouraged – as long as they can be shared or performed on the night.

Each act will have up to 20 minutes to share their work. Audiences will be invited to share feedback for each piece. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in two workshop sessions. lowercase theatre will support you to further develop and share your piece, in a way that you’d like it to be presented. Successful submissions will receive a £200 fee. Please note: If you are applying as a group of creatives, we can still only offer you a £200 fee.

With a deadline of 28th March, you can find out more information on their website, as well as a short online application form.

+ VAULT Creative Arts – SANDBOX Scratch +

VAULT Creative Arts are inviting script submissions to SANDBOX, their brand-new scratch company. Following the submission process, up to 6 scripts will be selected. Then, over the next three months, each script will receive two, 3-hour workshops with a group of 8 to 10 actors, followed by a scratch performance at the end of the season.

They are accepting scripts of up to 10 pages in length from early-career playwrights. The submissions can be full pieces or excerpts from larger pieces.

To Apply 

To apply, please submit a script of a maximum of 10-pages in length via this Google Form, along with your experience, and contact information. The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Wednesday 2nd April. Regretfully, due to capacity, they won’t be able to provide feedback to scripts that are not shortlisted. This opportunity is unpaid, and there is no entry fee.

You can find an application form and submission pack on their website here.

+ Flawstate’s Birthday Scratch! +

Flawstate empowers early-career writers to create bold, enriching work by providing opportunities, mentorship, and a platform for those lacking resources or support.

Even more excitingly, it’s Flawstate‘s birthday in May! To celebrate, they’re holding their third Scratch Night at The Glitch in Waterloo on 3rd May. They are looking for pieces in development to be showcased at their event.

Pieces must be ten minutes long and must have an existing creative team attached, you can find the application form on their site, or here via the BBC Writer’s Room Opportunities page.

+ Director’s Cut – Make the Cut Scratch +

Director’s cut is an adventurous, open, imaginative and experimental theatre company, making art, telling stories, and providing a space for artists to come together to explore art, life, questions, quests, exploring and developing their craft and creativity, and being connected, inspired and supported in their artistic journey.

‍Their regular competition – Make The Cut – is the hottest competition for actors and writers seeking an opportunity and a platform to showcase their talents.

WRITERS:

Written a 1-2 minute monologue? Send to us at scripts@directorscuttheatre.co.uk no later than Tuesday 8th April. Chosen monologues will be performed twice by two different actors going head to head with their interpretations. There will be an audience vote and industry panel as well as prizes.

ACTORS:

Want to audition? Email us info@directorscuttheatre.co.uk to add your name to our audition list before 8th April. Chosen scripts will be circulated after 8th April and auditions will be via self tape.

If chosen, you will be required to learn 3 different 1-2 minute monologues for the competition. You will need to be available on the day of the show from 10am on Tuesday 29th April to attend the rehearsal at Pleasance Theatre, the competition starts at 7:30pm. There will be an audience vote and industry panel as well as prizes.

You ca apply/ find out more information here – please make sure to check their guidelines.