A Brand New Award for Drama Writers in Wales – with a £10,000 prize!

One of the big questions we have been exploring at National Theatre Wales – and always a hot topic of discussion on this network ­­– is how NTW can help support and inspire theatre writers.  Over the past few months we’ve been having an in-depth discussion with BBC Writersroom to see what we can do together to address these issues, and today I’m delighted to let everyone know that, in partnership with BBC Cymru Wales and Writersroom, we are launching a very significant new award for Wales-based writers.

 

The bi-annual Wales Drama Award aims to find bold, original writers based in Wales.  The winner will receive £10,000 and an opportunity to develop their ideas with either National Theatre Wales or BBC Cymru Wales Drama – so, unlike most other awards, it’s for those writing for either theatre or television.

 

It’s also open to writers at any stage in their careers – and in this and other ways it is created very much in response to debates in the NTW online writers group about what writers here need.

 

Writers can submit a script in any medium. It must be full-length, in English, be unproduced and have a minimum length of 30 minutes. Submissions must be made to BBC Writersroom by 16th July 2012. Full details of how to apply are at www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom

 

The BBC and NTW will host a series of open sessions throughout March and April in Cardiff, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Wrexham and Swansea to let people know more about the award – we’ll keep you posted on these.

 

Six shortlisted writers will be invited to a meeting with the judges (who will include writers Russell T Davies and Abi Morgan as well as myself, the BBC’s Faith Penahale, and Kate Rowland of BBC Writersroom) to discuss their script and an idea they want to develop. The winner will be announced late 2012.  Two runners-up will each receive £1,000 and a script development opportunity. 

 

The competition is open to any writer residing in Wales.

 

I hope as many of you as possible will get involved – and demonstrate the strength and potential of Welsh writing to the world!

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Comment by Tony Brown on March 14, 2012 at 6:19

I'm getting my pen out!

Comment by Peter Cox MBE on March 12, 2012 at 12:25

Hi John,

Greetings from Newcastle upon Tyne! (Working on a show up here with Lost in Translation Circus.)

I'm sure this initiative has taken a lot of brokering behind the scenes but it's a very welcome addition to NTW's range of activity.  It feels that something like this has been a long time coming and the weight of the development / judging panel you've put together will give it added prestige as well as attracting good publicity.  It's also psychologically good for dramatists to know that their work and their potential is being encouraged and affirmed by this award - even if they don't win it.  Thank you.

Comment by carmen medway-stephens on March 12, 2012 at 6:54

Fantastic!

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