SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS FOR ALL PLAYWRIGHTS
In line with STC's Greening Policy, we are striving to run a paperless Literary Department. We read scripts electronically to save paper and postage. Please note that we are unable to accept ANY hard copy scripts sent by post. Scripts sent by post will be recycled, not returned.
COMMISSIONS
On average STC commissions six plays a year including original works and new adaptations of classic plays. These commissions are made to writers who have proven their ability to draft and redraft a script, have had their plays professionally produced and have a concept or idea that is consistent with the Artistic Directors' programming vision.
Commissions are born from an ongoing discussion between our artistic team and a writer. They are developed with the support of the company over an extended period of time that could be anything between six months and three years.
STC writers under commission
Van Badham, Andrew Bovell, Angus Cerini, Glace Chase, Kim Ho, Anchuli Felicia King, Nakkiah Lui, Suzie Miller, Tommy Murphy, Joanna Murray Smith, Omar Musa, Meyne Wyatt
Patrick White Playwrights’ Fellow: Emme Hoy
FOR AUSTRALIAN EMERGING OR UNPRODUCED PLAYWRIGHTS
While STC predominantly produces work by playwrights who are advanced in their careers, we are constantly searching for exciting new writers and are committed to creating professional development opportunities for early career playwrights.
OPPORTUNITIES
The Patrick White Playwrights Award
Once a year, STC invites playwrights to submit their unproduced plays to the Patrick White Playwrights Award. The award is prestigious and an opportunity for unknown playwrights with outstanding scripts to gain recognition. Find out more
The Emerging Writers Group
Emerging Writers Group is an initiative aimed specifically at emerging playwrights, with the objective of supporting professional development and expanding the participants’ skill sets, artistic vision and networks. Find out more
GETTING IN TOUCH
Unsolicited Scripts
If you are an Australian playwright and have written a full length play for the stage, you can submit a sample from that work for our consideration. We will send acknowledgement of your submission and in some cases we may request to read the whole script.
Please email the following to artisticteam@sydneytheatre.com.au with the words Script Submission and your name in the subject line:
- A CV or bio, including any writing experience
- A 12-15 page script sample. This sample can be from any part of the script (it could be the opening pages or your favourite scene) and should showcase your best dramatic writing for stage.
- A 200 word (max) summary of the play.
You will receive an email acknowledgment and if the sample is of interest you may receive follow up correspondence from a member of the Artistic Team.
We strongly encourage script submissions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD writers. If you identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples or from a CALD background, you may wish to read STC’s Cultural Representation Pledge LINK
We regret that we are unable to:
- accept script submissions that come in any other format or exceed 15 pages
- read multiple drafts or submissions from the same writers
- provide feedback to submissions
- accept submissions from writers outside Australia
Please note: Due to staff changes script submissions are currently on hold and we are unable to accept or respond to emailed submissions. Check back at this page to see when we have reopened.
Invite us to see your work
Producing your play independently can be an effective way of developing your craft, demonstrating your potential and enabling you to make the transition from unproduced to emerging playwright. Find out more
FOR ESTABLISHED AUSTRALIAN PLAYWRIGHTS
If you are an established playwright you will have had a number of Main Stage productions in Australia. If we are not already in contact with you we would love to hear from you and begin a conversation with you about your work. It’s best to get in touch via your agent.
OPPORTUNITIES
The Patrick White Playwrights Fellowship
The Patrick White Playwrights Fellowship is a position for an established Australian playwright the prize consists of a total prize package of $25,000 which includes a year-long Fellowship and a commission to write a new play.
There is no formal application process but we welcome Expressions of Interest from established Australian playwrights at any time.
The appointment is made in May each year.
The current Patrick White Playwrights' Fellow is Emme Hoy.
Script Submissions
We ask established playwrights to make submissions via their agent.
FOR INTERNATIONAL PLAYWRIGHTS
We regret that we are currently unable to accept script submissions from playwrights and agents from outside Australia. We follow the international theatre scene closely and solicit plays that have had seasons in major theatre companies via agents. If you are a writer whose play has had a major production overseas, please encourage your agent to make contact with us on your behalf.