New Scripts Garage, November 2024 (Malay-language Edition)

The New Scripts Garage is an offer of dramaturgical support for new scripts, 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 2024 cycle, we are collaborating with Teater Ekamatra to concurrently run a Malay-language edition, that will accept up to eight scripts through an Open Call. The first eight eligible scripts will receive considered dramaturgical support in the form of either a facilitated Script Circle, One-on-One Consults or Written Feedback. 

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

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

1) Sewa by Dia Hakim
Selected for Script Circle

2) Jamil Sekadar Nama by Ali Mazrin
Selected for Script Circle

3) pa(p)as by Ruzaini Rashid
Receive 1-on-1 Consultation 

4) Banjir di Malam Raya by Aiman Khan
Receive 1-on-1 Consultation 

5) Pelita and Retakan Sukma by Humaira Safiya Binte Mohd Helmi
Receive Written Feedback

6) Sehala by Ahmad Syarifuddin bin Azhar
Receive Written Feedback

Jamil Sekadar Nama by Ali Mazrin received a script circle on 25 Nov 2024, at the Meeting Room, 42 Waterloo Street.

Facilitated by Zulfadli Rashid (Big), the session was focused on how the script could be further improved. Actors Fir Rahman and Saifuddin Jumadi were invited to read the two main characters in the script.

Observers at the table included theatre practitioners and Ali's friends, who shared their thoughts about the piece, what they liked about it and what they would have liked to see more of. The discussion also continued more informally outside of the Meeting Room, where Ali had 1-on-1 chats with the attendees of the session.

Sewa by Dia Hakim received a script circle on 9 Dec 2024, at the Rehearsal Studio, 42 Waterloo Street.

The session was facilitated by Irfan Kasban, and focused on hearing the language of the characters to further refine it where needed. Dia gave a brief introduction to their script and what they were interested to portray.

Actors Farah Lola, Irsyad Dawood and Munah Baghrib were invited to play the characters in the script.

Afterwards, there was a round of feedback about different aspects of the script including: language, pacing, setting, religion, the use of space and objects and the characters' attitudes toward marriage and housing. Dia had much food for thought and a clearer sense of how they could take the script moving forward. 

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, 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. 
• Completed scripts will be given priority but we may also consider extensive scenes and partially complete scripts.

8 October (12pm) - 14 October 2024 (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.
   

18 October - 1 November 2024:

• Selection and shortlisting process by reading team.
   

4 November 2024:

• 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.
   

25 November 2024:

• 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 8 - 14 October 2024. 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 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 2024 cycle comprises: