This residency benefits writers who’ve been putting in sustained work on a single play idea, and who’ve previously received dramaturgical support through the New Scripts Garage. It’s our way of keeping momentum going with the plays we receive through the Garage, with a particular interest in writers who demonstrate commitment to the process of revision.

We will pair a writer with one of the Centre’s resident dramaturgs to work out a plan for feedback and rewriting. After several months of rigorous work, including an intensive dramaturgical workshop, the play will be presented at a closed-door, work-in-progress reading at the Centre’s Spring Collection in early 2027.

By supporting writers through the difficult process of receiving feedback, consolidating it, and then applying it in the rewrite, this residency aims to empower writers in driving their own revision process, towards a substantially progressed new draft of their play.

Application Requirements

– Application Period: 1 to 10 October 2026 –

The NSG Residency is open only to the playwrights who have participated in the 2026 New Script Garage English-language cycles, ie in May and August 2026.

Interested playwrights will have to apply through an open call and selection process. Results will be announced by 20 15 October 2026.

To qualify for this Residency:

The play submitted must be the same one that had received dramaturgical support from either of the New Script Garage 2026 cycles;
You must demonstrate that you have worked on a further draft or edits after receiving the feedback from New Script Garage 2026 cycles;
You must be able to commit to the full duration of the residency, from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.

To apply:

Complete the Application Form.
Submit by Saturday, 10 October 2026, 11.59PM (UTC+8).
Results will be announced by 15 October 2026.
Residency will commence from 1 November 2026.

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.

Residency Schedule

November 2026 - December 2026

Phase 1: Dramaturgical consultations & writing

During this period, the writer and dramaturg will work closely to process dramaturgical feedback on the draft, giving time for the writer to go away and rewrite, and receive feedback on those edits. The exact schedule and work-flow of this period will be mutually agreed on by the two artists. The goal of this phase is to get the play to a substantially stronger next draft.

January 2027 - February 2027

Phase 2: Developmental workshopping & writing

The draft that is developed in Phase 1 will then go into an intensive developmental workshop which the writer and dramaturg will design based on the writer’s needs, e.g. this could be a workshop with actors, or a workshop with parties the writer is interested in having hear the play. The writer and dramaturg will take the information and feedback from this workshop into further rewrites, culminating in the draft that will be presented at the end of the residency.

March 2027

Preparation for closed-door dramatised reading, as part of Spring Collection 2026/27

FAQ

Who is this for? How do you decide on the suitability of the application?

This is only for writers who have passed through the New Scripts Garage’s May and August 2026 editions, and who want to commit to taking their play to the next level. We require writers to show that they’ve made notable rewrites to the play since the New Scripts Garage, and this will form the basis of our selection.

What kind of support will the residency provide?

This residency aims to help the writer find clarity of purpose in the rewrite, momentum, and structure towards getting their play to the best possible place they can. It does so through a combination of close one-on-one dramaturgical support, a workshop intensive, and a work-in-progress reading.

What is expected of the playwright in this residency?

This is an intensive residency, which writers will benefit the most from if they are able to commit the time and energy to rewriting their play. Writers should be prepared to really take their plays apart and do deep rewrites if necessary. Writers should also have a genuine openness to building a respectful, creative relationship with a dramaturg, as this will be the core partnership of this residency.

How often does this residency take place? How may I apply for it?

This residency will be offered annually as part of the New Scripts Garage’s activities. Subsequent iterations will be open to all writers who’ve passed through future editions of the New Scripts Garage, with the same submission requirements.

New Scripts Garage 2026 Residency

Application Requirements

Residency Schedule

FAQ

Join Our Mailing List