NEW AFRICAN PLAYWRIGHTS’ PROJECT

African playwrights living in Africa are invited to submit scripts for a project to showcase, and publish, theatre from Africa.

Via the project, they may not only see their work read and performed both locally and abroad, but also published in an annual African Play Series.

The project is hosted by the Arterial Network, in association with TeatrNowy in Poland, the National Theatre Studio in London and South Africa’s National Arts Festival and ArtscapeTheatre, to promote African theatre on the African continent, in Europe and globally.

The deadline for submissions is 18 May 2011.

For the launch of the project, both new and existing scripts, including scripts previously staged or published, will be accepted. The overall aim for 2011 is to identify African playwrights with the best potential to have their work staged in regional and international arenas.

Following selection, four to eight playwrights will be presented with an opportunity to participate in dramaturgical workshops at the National Theatre Studio. At least five plays will be included in an annual African Play Series publication. Selected works will be staged as readings at theatres in Africa and Europe, and at least one play will be selected for production in Europe and/or Africa in 2012.

The project will introduce African theatre-makers, writers, directors and actors, to African and international theatre markets, and aims to sustain their presence there long-term. This would be achieved through partnerships and collaborative projects between theatres, festivals and theatre institutions in Europe and Africa. The project aims to encourage individuals and organisations to learn from each other in an effort to influence the content and form of each other’s work to ultimately increase global market access for African theatre in particular.

Plays may be submitted on any theme, and in any genre, style and language. If the play is not in English, it will be read in its original language. All scripts should be typed (no handwritten submissions will be accepted). Submissions are to include the writer’s full name, email address, postal address, country of residence and telephone number (country code, city code and number). Each writer may submit only one script. Submissions may be sent by e-mail to Rebecca Radford (Subject line: African Playwrights’ Project) rradford@nationaltheatre.org.uk

Submissions may also be sent by post to African Playwrights’ Project, Arterial Network, Union House, 25 Commercial Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa. Queries can be directed to info@arterialnetwork.org

For more information about the partners, see Arterial Network: www.arterialnetwork.org; TeatrNowy: www.teatrnowy.pl; National Theatre Studio: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk; National Arts Festival: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za and Artscape: www.artscape.co.za