Sydney Theatre Company has announced a new initiative, the Emerging Writers’ Group, to support the next generation of Australian playwrights. The company aims to encourage emerging writers by supporting their professional development, expanding their skill sets and helping them to discover and hone their own voices.
Four writers will be chosen to meet regularly throughout the year-long programme and will be mentored by STC’s Artistic Director Kip Williams as well as the company’s Literary Manager (Polly Rowe), the annual Patrick White Playwrights’ Fellow and current STC resident directors.
“I am delighted to announce the launch of Sydney Theatre Company’s inaugural Emerging Writers Group,” said Williams. “New writing is the rejuvenating lifeblood of theatre, and I am thrilled to embark on a programme that will help foster new voices and perspectives at STC and throughout our industry. The programme will connect emerging story tellers with STC artistic staff, including our Patrick White Playwrights’ Fellow.”
“STC has been an incredible place of nurturing and development for so many artists over the years, myself included, and I’m excited to invite new writers into the company where they will learn directly from experienced practitioners, whilst developing their own unique voices,” he said.
The chosen writes will take part in workshops with STC artists, be given opportunities to discuss the work they see and their own artistic practice, and will attend the company’s productions and company runs. The participants will also be given the opportunity to develop a commission pitch for programming consideration.
The programme is open to emerging writers from Sydney and surrounding suburbs – STC has specified that participants must be able to regularly commute to performances and meetings at Walsh Bay. The successful applicants will be given a small honorarium for their attendance at workshops and group meetings.
The successful applicants will be announced along with the announcement of the STC’s Patrick White Fellowship and Award on May 26.
Applications for Sydney Theatre Company’s Emerging Writers’ Group close May 5
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