Calling all writers! There are only a
couple of weeks left to send your entries for the 2017 SCrIBE Scriptwriting
Competition. Closing date for entries is July 31.
Now its sixth year, the Imbewu Trust’s
SCrIBE Scriptwriting Competition is a platform for South African writers to
develop their work. The national competition has evolved every year, with the
objective of providing the winners with the most appropriate support they need
to grow their work. Prizes include having a script produced for a professional
run at a Cape Town theatre; mentorship programmes and engaging in feedback
sessions with audience members at staged readings of the script by professional
actors and director. The panel of SCrIBE judges comprises a group of seasoned
theatre practitioners.
One of the 2016 winners, Nokuzola Bikwana,
had her play No Christmas For Us,
staged at this year’s Zabalaza Festival at the Baxter Theatre Centre, directed
by Thami Mbongo. The Imbewu Trust also provided support for the run of the
other 2016 winner, Milton Schorr’s The
Heroin Diaries, at Alexander Bar, directed by Fred Abrahamse.
Previous entrants have gone on to rework
their text as a result of the open readings and some on to further professional
runs.
Scripts must not have been previously
produced, nor have existing future runs plans of being produced. Other criteria
are that the scripts should be in English, no longer than 40 pages or 80
minutes long and with a maximum of five cast members. Entrants must be over 18
years old. The Imbewu Trust and judges are again looking for original content
of outstanding quality that explores the diverse range of South African
stories.
The shortlist of entries will be announced
at the end of August, with the staged readings taking place in the last week of
September.
“The response to the format of the
competition and the staged readings has grown every year,” says Samantha de
Romijn, co-founder of the Imbewu Trust. “Writers, as well as the directors,
actors and audience members have commented how constructive and engaging the
readings are. We are delighted that the Zabalaza team was part of the staged
readings last year, and as a result, wanted the opportunity to bring the script
alive on stage. It is these connections of helping to develop a writer’s work
in the theatre environment, that we strive to achieve.”
Information and the entry form are
available on www.imbewuarts.com
The Imbewu Trust is a non-profit
organisation which was established by Paul Griffiths and Samantha de Romijn to
promote the development of contemporary South African theatre and arts and to
help showcase it on an international stage. It seeks to create an accessible
community of varied voices that can flourish through collaboration,
resourcefulness and innovation. The Trust created the annual SCrIBE
Scriptwriting competition, one of its flagship projects, to provide new
opportunities for local writers to fully develop their work.
To receive the entry form for the SCrIBE
Scriptwriting Competition email imbewusa@gmail.com
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