This years theme is "TIME"

SCRIPTS: Ireland’s Playwriting Festival, in partnership with Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, seeks new works for stage.

Calling all writers  

Scripts is seeking new plays to inspire and incite. The theme for 2024 is TIME. 

Time. How does the concept of time speak to you? From big societal changes to small internal evolutions. Time can mean different things from the very personal stories to broader strokes. While this year's theme is certainly a nod to the ‘times’ we live in, don’t let anything tie your imagination down. How can time affect characters and lives? We welcome writing that explores ‘TIME’ with originality and verve!

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Don't let this opportunity pass – time is ticking! 

Taking place in Birr, Co Offaly, Scripts Ireland’s Playwriting Festival creates unique opportunities for playwrights to have their work developed and produced.  We are delighted to partner with Birr Theatre & Arts Centre who are supporting the mentoring side of our programme this year under their new Theatre Residency Programme. 

Three scripts, most suited for development, will be selected through a rigorous shortlisting process.

These selected playwrights will receive a week of mentoring and script development under the guidance of Playwright and Screenwriter Eugene O'Brien, where the whole process of writing and rewriting is explored in a collaborative and supportive environment. The residency supports three playwrights with a team of artists to mentor, develop, and produce the emerging scripts for a rehearsed reading of the new works by professional actors at the festival finale. Industry professionals then judge the final versions and a winner is selected.
We are excited to confirm that the 2024 panel will include a representative from The Abbey Theatre.  (Other previous judges have included Jim Culleton of Fishamble Theatre, Phillip McMahon and playwright, director, and performer, Gina Moxley).

Conditions of Entry and How to Submit your Play: 

• Playwrights (both established and emerging) are invited to submit an original 15 minute play on the theme TIME. 

• Plays should have no more than 3 characters

• The link below must be used - no email/post submission.

• Plays must be in a .PDF or .DOCX/.DOC format and no bigger than 15MB

• Scripts are read blind by a selection panel - therefore do not have your name on your script file (our admin team will have your details with your submission form).

• Cost of submission is €10. (non refundable)

• Limited to one play per person.  

• Playwrights must be available to be in Birr from Monday 8 July -Friday 12 July 2024, as well as attend the headline event at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre on Sunday 14 July 2024 where the plays will be presented as staged readings. 

• The judges’ decision is final and Scripts will not enter into correspondence concerning the judging or merits awarded. 

Applications are now closed!

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There will be a prize for "Best Play" which includes: 

• Dramaturgy support with the literary department at The Abbey Theatre; 

• a scholarship with Fishamble, the New Play Company; 

• a Theatre Residency at Birr Theatre & Arts Centre in 2025.

While the copyright of the play will remain with the playwright, Scripts and Birr Theatre & Arts Centre reserves the right to arrange the first performance of the selected work, if deemed appropriate, and to use the play for publicity for the festival. 

Any of the three finalists who go on to develop their play further are asked to acknowledge Scripts Ireland’s Playwriting Festival and Birr Theatre & Arts Centre in their credits.  

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What is Scripts? 

This innovative playwriting festival features a host of exciting events for lovers of theatre - those who want to create, perform, and watch live new 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 including The Abbey Theatre, Fishamble Theatre, Listowel Writers Week, Irish Writers Centre, RTÉ Drama On One, Culture Night, #Waking The Feminists & more. As well as winning a PPI Radio Award for Drama with Midlands 103, Scripts has created incomparable opportunities for playwrights, actors, directors & producers to continually strive for excellence in the craft of Playwriting & Drama. 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.

SCRIPTS is supported by Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Jasango Theatre, Offaly County Council, Arts Council of Ireland

Applications are now closed