The George B. Miller Award
Scripts Ireland's Playwriting Festival
​
Our innovative playwriting festival features a host of exciting events for lovers of theatre - those who want to create, perform and watch new live theatre in beautiful surroundings.
Since its establishment in 2013, by Jasango Theatre and Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Scripts has established collaborative links with key organisations within the theatrical world.
​
From workshops and panel discussions to children’s theatre and site-specific works, Scripts constantly strives to expand the scope of the festival while keeping the ultimate focus on what Scripts is most passionate about - nurturing new writing.
​
Youth Theatre Ireland is the national development organisation for youth theatre.
Our mission is to support the social, personal and artistic development of young people through youth theatre.
We do this by supporting a network of youth theatres who deliver year-round programmes of drama workshops and performance opportunities to young people aged 12 – 21, from cities, towns, and villages across Ireland.
We design and lead a national artistic programme that responds to the needs of the youth theatre sector and engage with artists and creators who will enhance and advance the artistic programming of Youth Theatre Ireland and advance artform development.
Youth Theatre Ireland has a long held commitment to new writing for youth theatre.
Pete Mullineaux – Playwriting Mentor
​
Pete Mullineaux lives in Galway. For over twenty-five years he’s worked as a drama/creative writing practitioner in schools, youth theatre and with a variety of community arts projects, including Cuirt International Theatre of Literature, Babaro Arts Festival, Sonas Arts Festival, Louisburgh and others.
He’s published four poetry collections and a number of his plays have been produced for stage and radio. His first play ‘Wallflowers’ was presented by Kenneth Branagh’s Renaissance Theatre Co and the Old Red Lion Theatre in London. His most recent radio play, the sci-fi ‘Butterfly Wings’ starred Owen Roe and Karen Ardiff. Several plays written for youth theatre are listed in Youth Theatre Ireland’s Playshare.
Pete’s published three teaching resources, lately Interdependence Day: Teaching the Sustainable Development Goals through Drama for All Ages (Afri 2021). His debut novel, Jules & Rom: Sci-fi meets Shakespeare (Matador 2021) was also published in 2021 and draws on his work in schools and youth theatre, exploring emotional intelligence in AI and human interaction around questions of how we learn.
He’s currently working online with the group London Drama.
​
The George B Miller Award Winners:
Shortlisted playwrights will be invited to an online workshop with Playwrighting mentor Peter Mullineaux and Youth Theatre Ireland. This will be an opportunity to discuss your ideas, learn about writing for young ensembles and Finalists will receive a six-month mentorship, including:
​
-
Online development workshop with mentor Pete Mullineaux, where playwrights will have the opportunity to answer questions, address concerns and develop their play further. Where each will benefit from questions and answers relating to the other two writers
-
Guidance on delivering a full First Draft
-
Continued feedback and mentoring to deliver a Second Draft
-
Attend Scripts Festival in Birr, Co.Offaly in July xxx,
-
Continued feedback and mentoring to deliver a Rehearsal Draft
-
Opportunity to attend a rehearsal of your play with youth theatre ensemble
-
Attend Youth Theatre Practice Symposium in UCC in November to watch staged extracts of your play being performed by youth theatre ensemble. Opportunity to take part in other workshops, talks and events.
-
Advice and opportunities to develop your playwrighting further
-
Overall winner announced in November
