New Scripts Garage, November 2023

Start date of Residency
November 2023
Masthead Image
Masthead Image
November 2023
Submit your script here!
Script Submission: 14 - 18 October 2023

Once the first 8 eligible scripts are received, the submissions box will close.

The New Scripts Garage is a regular offer of dramaturgical support for new scripts, convened every other month, with low barriers to entry. On a regular basis, we open our inboxes for script submissions from playwrights seeking dramaturgical support for their work.

For the November 2023 cycle, we are collaborating with Teater Ekamatra to offer a Malay-language edition, that will accept up to eight scripts through an Open Call.

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.


Selection Process & Criteria

A flowchart illustrating the sequence of events for the programme selection process.

The first eight 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 consultation sessions. 

The Script Circle will be organised by Centre 42 and Teater Ekamatra, 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 sessions will be scheduled directly with our dramaturgs, who will read the scripts and provide detailed feedback in discussion with the writer.

Scripts that are not allocated for the Script Circle or one-on-one dramaturgy sessions will receive written feedback consolidated from the reading team’s discussion. These playwrights and writers are welcome to submit subsequent drafts for future iterations of the New Scripts Garage.

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 are accepting plays in the Malay-language or predominantly (at least 80%) in the Malay-language for this special edition. Translations are welcome where available.
  • 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. 
  • We prioritise completed drafts of full length plays and shorter plays. We may consider partially complete drafts of scripts with extensive scenes. 

Schedule

14 October (12pm) - 18 October 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 8 scripts.
     

22 October - 4 November 2023:

  • Selection and shortlisting process by reading team.
     

8 November 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.
     

27 November 2023:

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

How to Apply

  • 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 14 - 18 October 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.

Reading & Selection Team

The reading and selection of scripts will be conducted by a team of dramaturgs, directors and playwrights put together by Centre 42 and Teater Ekamatra who are actively engaged in their practices with new writing development. 

Names of the team for the November 2023 cycle will be announced soon.


FAQ

Who is this platform for?

This platform is for playwrights of any experience level who would like to receive considered, professional feedback on their scripts.

Is this a presentation opportunity? Will shortlisted scripts be staged for an audience or receive a public reading?

No. The New Scripts Garage focus is on detailed, discussion-based dramaturgical support for Malay-language scripts. The Script Circle is a closed-door event, the purpose of which is for the play to be heard and appraised in a discussion facilitated by a writer, director, or dramaturg.

How often does this residency take place?

Centre 42 organises 3-4 cycles of the New Scripts Garage in a year. The schedule depends on Centre 42’s resources.  This is the first cycle dedicated to Malay-language scripts and is made possible in collaboration with Teater Ekamatra. There are intentions to work together for future iterations in 2024.

What happens after my submission?

Because of our current reading capacity, we will only consider the first eight eligible scripts that come into our inbox at closing time. These eight scripts will be handed over to the team of readers, who will then read and deliberate on which dramaturgical support will be offered.

The Script Circle will be organised by Centre 42 and Teater Ekamatra, 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 sessions will be scheduled directly with our dramaturgs, who will read the scripts and provide detailed feedback in discussion with the writer.

Scripts that are not allocated for the Script Circle or one-on-one dramaturgy sessions will receive written feedback consolidated from the reading team’s discussion. These playwrights and writers are welcome to submit subsequent drafts for future iterations of the New Scripts Garage.

How many plays can I submit? How often can I re-apply?

We only accept one play per writer each cycle. 

If you had submitted multiple plays in one cycle, only the 1st submission will be considered as eligible.

If you did not make the cut-off time, you are welcome to apply again for the next cycle.

If your submission was eligible but not shortlisted for either the Script Circle or 1-on-1 consultations, you are welcome to apply again with a subsequent draft.

If your play has received dramaturgical support in one cycle in the form of a Script Circle or one-on-one consultation, we cannot support it again in subsequent cycles of the New Scripts Garage.


Profiles

Teater Ekamatra
Co-Presenting Organisation