New Scripts Garage, May 2026

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.

The first eight eligible scripts will receive considered dramaturgical support in the form of a One-on-One Consultation Session with a text dramaturg or Written Feedback from the reading team.

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 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 which scripts would go on to receive a one-on-one dramaturgy consultation session with a text dramaturg. These 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 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. Building on this, we are introducing the first New Scripts Garage Residency, designed to support writers who have demonstrated sustained commitment to developing a single play through the Garage.

Open to playwrights from the 2026 New Scripts Garage English-language cycles (May and August), the residency will pair one selected writer with a Centre 42 dramaturg to develop a plan for feedback and rewriting over several months, including an intensive dramaturgical workshop. It will culminate in a closed-door, work-in-progress reading at the Centre’s Spring Collection in early 2027.

Script Eligibility for New Scripts Garage:

• 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. 

1 May (12pm) - 10 May 2026 (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.
   

11 May - 22 May 2026:

• Selection and shortlisting process by reading team.
   

30 May 2026:

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

• 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 1 - 10 May 2026. 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 who 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 May 2026 cycle comprises:

<TBC>