Engage-a-Dramaturg

Engage-a-Dramaturg is a new initiative matching playwrights and dramaturgs for a 4-month collaboration. This programme aims to:

• Bring together and build relationships between playwrights and dramaturgs who may not have had opportunities to work together before 
• Encourage extended script development conversations between playwrights and dramaturgs 
• Provide space for developing the playwright’s vision outside of the imperatives of a production or a commission
• Instigate conversation around the value of the dramaturg’s contribution to new play development and how this work should be compensated

The inaugural programme in 2025 is a pilot to offer playwrights the opportunity to access/test/trial a professional creative relationship with working dramaturgs equipped to support the new play development process. In the longer term, we hope to see more intention and proactiveness amongst playwrights to work with and engage dramaturgs.

This pilot is offered among a suite of other Centre 42 programmes supporting dramaturgs’ practice development and new writing development. Interested playwrights and dramaturgs should also attend the following complementary programmes in 2025:

• Any playwright interested in working with a dramaturg to develop an existing script-in-progress
• The playwright will be expected to complete at least 1 new draft of their script by the end of the programme

For the 2025 pilot, the dramaturgs participating in this programme will be:

For the 2025 iteration, up to 4 playwrights will be invited through an open call application process to work with Centre 42’s Dramaturgs In Residence.

• Each playwright will be matched with one of the dramaturgs based on the goals and preferences expressed in their application. 
• Each playwright-dramaturg pair will meet for 4 dramaturgy sessions within a 4-month window, from Nov 2025 to Mar 2026.
  • Each session will be approximately 1 hour.
  • Each pair will work out the most appropriate schedule and frequency for the process.
  • The Playwright may ask the Dramaturg to do some preparatory work or offer email support outside of the meetings, within reason.
• There will be a mid-programme check-in meeting with the Centre.
• Playwrights and Dramaturgs will also be expected to participate in a public sharing after the end of the programme. 

There will be a fee for playwrights to engage a dramaturg in this programme. We acknowledge that new play development is a risky endeavour and that budgets are often tight during this phase of the process. And we are also interested in sparking conversations about the value of the dramaturg’s work and what fair compensation for this looks like. Our long term goal is to see more playwrights and dramaturgs working closely together over the full script development journey and for this work to be adequately budgeted for. 

The fee to engage a Dramaturg under this programme is $800. However, for the 2025 pilot, Centre 42 will be offering playwrights a partial subsidy of up to 50% to make participation more accessible. Playwrights will be required to co-pay on a sliding scale from $400 up. 

Expected payment schedule:

• Payment 1 at 1st meeting: From $100.
  • If the matched relationship does not work out, exit is possible at this point but not after.
• Payment 2 at Programme mid-point: From $150
• Payment 3 at Programme end-point: From $150

Upon confirmation of successful application, playwrights are required to make the first payment to the Centre.

Not sure if this is for you? Attend our online Info-Session on 26 August 2025, 6.30PM, to hear more and address any questions you may have. Sign up here!

Should you have further questions after the Info-Session, please write in to us at residence@centre42.sg for clarifications or further comments.

– Application Period: 15 June 2025 to 30 September 2025 –

To qualify for this programme, you must:

• Be aged above 21 years old.
• Be based in Singapore.
• Have a practice in the performing arts, or are engaged professionally in the performing arts, for a minimum of 2 years.
• Have an existing draft of a play in English that you wish to work on.
• Be willing to develop at least 1 new draft of this script.
• Previous experience working with a dramaturg is not required. 

To apply: 

• Complete the online application form here.
• Submit by Sunday, 30 September 2025, 11.59PM (UTC+8).
• Results will be announced on 15 October 2025.

• June 2025 - Open Call application begins
• July & August 2025 - Interested playwrights can meet Dramaturgs-in-Residence at Socials 
• 30 September 2025 - Application deadline for Engage-a-Dramaturg
• October 2025 - Application evaluation and matching process with dramaturgs
• 1 November 2025 - Start of 4-month programme
• January 20256 - Mid-programme check-in 
• Mid-March 2026 - End of 4-month programme
• End-March - Public sharing