What Is It?
Studio 4×4 Emerging Playwrights Initiative is a FREE ten-week programme for four emerging playwrights to develop a short (10-15 minute) play script under the mentorship of an experienced dramaturg (script advisor). At the end of the ten weeks your script will be workshopped with a director and professional actors before it is presented as a public rehearsed reading over two nights. The 2018 mentor will be Emily Duncan.
Theatre Director Jonathon Hendry says “we’re delighted to have Emily joining us again in 2018. The remarkable feedback from our 2017 participants about working with local playwright Emily Duncan, made her the clear choice. We are thrilled to have her on board.”
A brief history of Studio 4×4
Studio 4×4 is central to Fortune Theatre’s mission to develop the skills of young and emerging theatre artists in the Dunedin Community. Studio 4×4 began as the Young Playwrights Initiative in 2012 to nurture and provide opportunities for new playwrights.
Dramaturgs who have mentored the programme include playwrights Simon O’Connor, Phil Braithwaite, Victor Roger, and Emily Duncan.
In 2016 Studio 4×4 was renamed the Emerging Playwrights Initiative, thus removing the age limit for applicants. Writers can emerge at any age.
A word from previous Studio 4×4 writers
4×4 was such a rewarding experience. How often do you get to work so closely with professional theatre practitioners, to develop one of your own ideas? It’s an opportunity not to be missed. – Genevieve Scanlan, 2017
I’ve learnt to go deeper into my work, layer everything, even in a 15-minute piece. I learnt to ‘speak my truth’. I have since submitted The Green to two separate submissions in Ireland, to which I could not have submitted without the play having been performed, this programme opens doors. – Emer Lyons, 2016
The experience I gained from the work-shopping process was invaluable. It is very rare to have such immediate feedback from other creatives when writing individually, so I certainly appreciate the supportive and encouraging environment that was fostered by the initiative. – Hamish Annan, 2015
2018 Dates
Application deadline: 1 February, 2018
First Session: 10:00, Saturday, 3 March, 2018
Easter Break: Saturday, 31 March, 2018
Last Session: 10:00, Saturday, 12 May
Rehearsal/Workshop: 19-20 May
Four works performed: 21-22 May
Who Can Apply
The initiative is open to applications from emerging playwrights. Although there are no hard and fast rules as to what is “emerging”, we are looking for people who can demonstrate some theatre experience, prior attempts/experience at writing for theatre, and an openness to developing their craft.
Published or professionally produced playwrights are not eligible. However, if you have been published in other genres/mediums (e.g. poetry) you can still apply.
Applicants must be over 18 years of age and reside in Dunedin or Otago/Southland so long as they are able to attend all sessions in person at Fortune Theatre.
We are looking for a range of ideas/genres and stories, so if you have an idea, we want to hear about it! Please note that we are limited to script ideas that are between 10-15 minutes with casts of no more than 4 characters.
Applications
Applications can be submitted online here:
Your application includes some details from the play you’re going to write as well as some info about yourself. Don’t worry, you can start your application and come back to it later if you need more time.