New Scripts Garage, August 2023

The New Scripts Garage provides three scripts with considered dramaturgical support in the form of either a facilitated Script Circle or One-on-One Dramaturgy Sessions with our Writer in Residence.

Please note that this is not a presentational platform. This short-form residency is ideal for playwrights who have a script that they want to take forward to the next draft in the development process.

The three eligible scripts for this cycle and the support they have received are:

1) No Leeway by Nicholas Tan
Selected for Script Circle

2) Dirty, Smelly, Public by Kay Lynn Er
Receive 1-on-1 Consultation with Writer-In-Residence

3) SCULPTURE by Euginia Tan
Receive Written Feedback

No Leeway by Nicholas Tan received a script circle for this cycle of the New Scripts Garage. 

Prior to the session, facilitator Nabilah Said prompted Nicholas to write additional alternative endings to the script, in response to preliminary feedback received from the evaluation panel. The script and the 2 alternative endings written along with some discussion areas were sent across to the reading panel in preparation for the session. 

The session began with a round of introductions and giving context to the background of Nicholas' script, first written back in 2011. 

The script and the two endings were read by Thomas Lim, Jo Tan, Adib Kosnan, Zulfadli Rashid (Big), Tysha Khan, Joel Tan, Jean Tay, Kay Lynn Er, Ma Yanling and Jaclyn Chong with stage directions read by Juliet Chia. Observers at the table were Chong Gua Khee and Shridar Mani along with C42 staff.

After the read, everyone at the table gave feedback on a few areas of focus, their thoughts on either ending, the plot and structure of the play as well as observations or questions about the characters. 

Script Circle Group: (From L-R, Row 1) Kay Lynn Er, Ma Yanling, Jean Tay, Joel Tan, Nabilah Said, Nicholas Tan, Adelyn Tan (From L-R, Row 2) Juliet Chia, Thomas Lim, Zulfadli Rashid (Big), Tysha Khan, Jo Tan, Chong Gua Khee, Shridar Mani and Jaclyn Chong.

The first six eligible scripts received during the Open Call Submissions period will be handed over to the team of readers, made up of directors, playwrights, and dramaturgs, who will consider the submissions.

Based on the quality of the script, its stage of development, and the writer's needs as expressed in the application form, they will then recommend either a Script Circle or one-on-one dramaturgy sessions with our Writer in Residence. 

The Script Circle will be organised by Centre 42, who will invite actors, writers, directors, and dramaturgs from a pool of artists we have been working closely with on this programme. The scripts receiving one-on-one dramaturgy will be scheduled directly with our Writer in Residence, who will read the scripts and provide detailed feedback in discussion with the writer. Scripts that were not shortlisted will receive written feedback from the reading team and writers are welcome to submit subsequent drafts for future iterations.

This programme prioritises writer development over polish, and aims to get the writer excited to work on the next draft of their script, with a clearer sense of where to go.

Script Eligibility:

• We accept completed drafts of full length plays (at least ~ 60 minutes) in English, or in other languages with translations provided in English. Future editions of the New Scripts Garage may specifically call for scripts in Malay, Tamil, or Chinese.
• We are not accepting straight adaptations of other work (e.g. novels, films), but will accept adaptations with a clear creative, re-inventive, and/or radical approach. 
• At this time, we are not accepting books for musicals, screenplays, or libretti. 

15 July (12pm) - 22 July 2023 (12pm):

• Submission Box is open!  If you have a script you’d like to receive feedback on, complete this form and submit your script during this period.
• Note that scripts are received on a first-come-first-served basis. The Submission Box will close after receiving the first 6 scripts.
   

22 July - 4 August 2023:

• Selection and shortlisting process by reading team.
   

8 August 2023:

• Applicants will be notified of results and/or feedback on scripts.
• Playwrights whose scripts are selected for the Script Circle and 1-on-1 dramaturgical sessions will be contacted to prepare for their respective sessions.
   

28 August 2023:

• Closed-door Script Circle will be conducted for the selected script in this New Scripts Garage cycle.

• To help us understand how best to create a supportive environment for your work in this New Script Garage structure, we will require you to respond to these questions in an application form:

1. Tell us something about the impulse for writing this play.
2. If this play has undergone an earlier development process, please tell us a little bit about it.
3. How do you feel about this draft as it currently stands?
4. What are some questions about the draft (e.g. aspects of craft, theme, story etc) you would like our reading panel to focus on while reading? 
5. What future work do you plan to do on this draft?

• Complete this online application form between 15 - 22 July 2023. Do note that this will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
• We will only consider and accept one play per writer each cycle. If you had submitted multiple plays in this cycle, only the 1st submission will be considered as eligible.

The reading and selection of scripts will be conducted by a team of dramaturgs, directors and playwrights whom have been intently involved in the development of Centre 42's New Writing Development Programmes and are actively engaged in their practices with new writing development. 

Names of the team for the August 2023 cycle comprises: