MEDIA RELEASE 7 July 2008
“Writing gets you chicks’.”
Albert Belz (Awhi Tapu, Yours Truly, Te Karakia)
The most important annual event for budding New Zealand young playwrights is fast approaching. New Zealand's playwrights
agency Playmarket is calling for submissions for the Tenth New Zealand Young Playwrights Competition, an event that has
established itself as an important stepping stone in the development of new writers for our theatre
This competition is open to any New Zealand resident between the ages of 16 and 24, at the submission date of December
1st, 2008. NZYPC recognises winners from all over the country, and awards young playwrights with development
opportunities with industry professionals. This includes a year’s development with a professional dramaturg and the
opportunity to hear their work read by professional actors.
Previous winners include Thomas Sainsbury (Love Bite, Loser), Paul Rothwell (Deliver Us), Miria George (And What
Remains), and Georgina Titheridge (Baby Cakes).
Titheridge says that winning NZYPC has meant she now has some validation about her work. “It took playwriting from being
something solitary I did for kicks, to something I loved and wanted to get out there,” she says. “And since then I’ve
kept on writing, and winning prizes, so it must have worked!”
Playmarket competition organiser, Janie Walker, says Playmarket is looking for scripts that show imagination,
originality, and fearlessness. “Often young people write something based on what they think we want. We want these young
writers to ignore anything sensible like that, and get excited about their work,” she says.
This year the competition is being supported by a Facebook page, to offer support to young writers. “If they send us
their email, we can send them regular encouragement and tips,” says Ms Walker.
Most young people come to playwriting through encouragement of others. Please help us spread the word. Writing plays is
a passionate occupation for young people, allowing them to, as Playmarket’s slogan goes, NZYPC – Change the World –
Write a Play.
Submission details:
Deadline: 3pm, 1 December 2008
Fee: It’s free
Eligibility: NZ residents aged between 16-24 on 1 December 08
Entry form: Entries must be accompanied by an entry form, available from Playmarket
Format: Double spaced, unbound, send two copies, can be in English or Maori
Amount: Can enter up to three plays of 30 minutes or more in length
ENDS