New Scripts Residency November 2022

Every other month, the New Scripts Residency provides three scripts with considered dramaturgical support in the form of either a facilitated table read or one-on-one dramaturgy sessions with our Writer in Residence. This residency is ideal for those who have a script that they want to take forward to the next draft.

Playwrights who submitted their script(s) for this cycle are listed below. 

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

1) Another Time With You by Choy Chee Yew
Selected for Table-Read

2) Emily Tan Is Not Invisible by Chrisdale Allison
Receive 1-on-1 Consultation with Writer-In-Residence

3) We Got Make Theatre by Lua Rong Yi
Receive 1-on-1 Consultation with Writer-In-Residence

4) I am not lonely by Angelina (Anj)
Receive Written Feedback

5) Dirty Laundry by Mary Tay
Receive Written Feedback

Another Time With You by Choy Chee Yew was selected to receive a table-read for this cycle of the New Scripts Residency. 

Prior to the table-read, facilitator Juliet Chia, dramaturg and consultant, met with playwright Chee Yew to discuss the scope and intended outcomes for the session. Thereafter a preparatory brief and the script was provided to attendees several days ahead of the reading.

The evening commenced with an introduction to set the context and tone of the session. It was structured into four segments, with pauses for comments in between:

i. a reading of scenes 2,4 and 5,
ii. reading of four scenes where the characters made phone calls,
iii. reading of scenes 9-11, and
iv. reading of the final scene. 

The readers were Christopher Gonzalez and Marwyn Ho.

After each segment, Juliet prompted the questions or areas of concern for the set of scenes that were just read, and specific thoughts and comments were given to Chee Yew. Those who were present included LASALLE Acting Year 2 students, playwrights, directors and dramaturgs.

Table-Read Group: (Row 1) Juliet Chia, Shridar Mani, Tan Shou Chen, Marwyn Ho, Christopher Gonzales and Lucas Ho (Row 2) Jaclyn Chong, Ma Yanling, Choy Chee Yew, Joel Tan, Rachel Chin, Riqi Hanzrudyn, Rohan Patil, Chong Gua Khee, Sindhura Kalidas, Eugene Koh and Cherilyn Woo.

Because of our current reading capacity, we will only consider the first six eligible scripts that come into our inbox at closing time. These six scripts 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 table read or one-on-one dramaturgy sessions with our Writer in Residence. 

The table read 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 Residency 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 Oct (12pm) - 22 Oct 2022 (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.
   

29 Oct - 11 Nov 2022:

• Selection and shortlisting process by reading team.
   

12 Nov 2022:

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

28 Nov 2022:

• Closed-door Table Read will be conducted for the selected script in this New Scripts Residency cycle.

• To help us understand how best to create a supportive environment for your work in this New Script Residency 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. What do you see as the next step for this play and why? If this play has undergone an earlier development process, please tell us a little bit about it.
3. Are there particular areas of this script that you are struggling with?
4. What support can the New Scripts Residency offer at this time?

• Complete this online application form between 15 - 22 October 2022. Do note that this will take approximately 15-20 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. 

The team for the November 2022 cycle comprises: