The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting is making plans for the next prize round. Ordinarily January is when the application process for the Prize opens – but the past 12months have not been ordinary, and we feel it’s important that we take time to respond to the new landscape in which we all find ourselves. As always we are keen that that The Bruntwood Prize provides the space in which writers of all abilities can explore their craft, so we want to let everyone know that we are still here, planning and preparing for a Prize that will happen soon – so watch this space https://www.writeaplay.co.uk/the-bruntwood-prize-for-playwriting-isnt-going-anywhere/
The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting last opened to submissions on January 21st 2019. The 2019 entry deadline was 6pm, June 5th 2019. We are astonished to have received 2,561 entries to this year’s Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting – our biggest number of submissions ever.
All plays are submitted anonymously to the competition and will be read by an expert panel of readers appointed by the Royal Exchange Theatre. There is an extensive five stage process to the reading before creating the shortlist. The final panel of readers, including key artistic staff from the Royal Exchange Theatre, compile a shortlist of 15 plays to the Judges to consider. The Judges will received the shortlist of scripts mid October 2019.
If you still have questions about the reading process, you may find the answer to your query in the Prize Guidelines and FAQ below or contact us on bruntwood.prize@royalexchange.co.uk
In 2019 the Bruntwood Prize categories have evolved. From the shortlist, it is our intention that the Judges will award;
• The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting-a first prize of £16,000
• A Judges’ Awards of £8,000
• An Original New Voice Award of £8,000- available to playwrights who have not had full-length play professionally produced for 12 performances or more in a professional venue. All scripts entered by these playwrights are also eligible for the Bruntwood Prize, and Judges Award.
• An International Award of £8,000- open to international playwrights invited to anonymously apply via our named international partners: The BANFF Centre in Canada; Belvoir Theatre and Melbourne Theatre Company in Australia; Berkeley Rep and Playwrights Horizons in the USA. We are afraid that no other international submissions can be considered at this time.
Voiceover: Don Warrington
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