About the Playwrights’ Initiative

Each year Young and Hungry, in collaboration with Playmarket, commissions three new New Zealand plays to be written specifically for young people aged 15-25 years.

Young and Hungry calls for submissions from both established and emerging New Zealand playwrights to create a new work based on a selected theme. These are reviewed by our panel of industry professionals who shortlist the top four submissions, which are then commissioned to write a 60-minute first draft script.

From these four first drafts, the Panel then selects three to be commissioned for production in Young and Hungry’s Festival of New Theatre the following year.

Throughout this phase of the commissioning process, playwrights receive one-on-one mentorship with an established Script Adviser. Skills training, play readings and workshops are used to assist the playwrights’ professional development and ensure the script has reached full potential in time for production in the Festival season.

Ideas Development

Each year Young and Hungry calls for Ideas Submissions based on a designated theme.  From these submissions four are selected for commissioning to a First Draft script.  The script (approximately 60 pages in length) must have at least six main characters and have specific appeal to young people aged 15-25 years.  A panel of trustees, stakeholders and industry professionals will then assess the four First Draft scripts.  Of these, three will be selected for the Commissioning Phase.

Commissioning Phase

Playwrights selected for the Commissioning Phase will be paired up with an established Script Adviser who will provide feedback on the First Draft script.

The Playwright is then asked to complete a Second Draft of the script, which is reviewed by the panel and Script Adviser.  Following feedback on the Second Draft, Young and Hungry will facilitate a one-day play reading.  This is an opportunity for the Playwright and Dramaturg to focus on the story arch and the overall pacing of the play.

The Playwright is then asked to complete a Third Draft of the script, which is once again reviewed by the panel and Script Adviser.  Following feedback on the Third Draft, Young and Hungry will facilitate a two-day workshop, which will be run by an established Theatre Director.  This is a critical step in the Commissioning Phase as is an opportunity for the Playwright and Script Adviser to see how the script will translate to the stage.

The Playwright is then asked to complete a Fourth Draft, which will be submitted for a final review by the panel and Script Adviser.

Festival Production

Following the Fourth Draft review and submission of final reports from each Script Adviser, scripts are then considered for production.  Scripts that are deemed ready for the stage will be premiered for a two-week season at BATS Theatre as part of the Festival of New Theatre.  If it is felt that the script is not yet ready for the stage, Young and Hungry will assist the Playwright with further development defer production consideration for a future season.

Stories That Matter
Theatre That’s Relevant to Today’s Youth

With social trends constantly changing it can be difficult to write scripts that are not only relevant to today’s young people, but also fresh, edgy and uniquely expressive.

We want hear from you, the young people of New Zealand, about the stories that you connect with. What topics or themes would you like to see explored on stage? Are there topics and themes you’re tired of seeing? What do you think defines your generation or your particular social network?

Join our Playwrights’ Initiative Forum and post your thoughts.  This is your chance to tell the theatre community what you want to see on stage, so give us your best shot!