Application Period: 8 - 30 June 2026
Apply here by Sun, 30 June 2026, 11.59PM (UTC+8).
Confirmation of registration will be announced by 8 July 2026.
Successful applicants are to confirm their participation and make workshop fee payment by 12 July 2026.

Being part of a new play development process is thrilling and challenging work. While a playwright brings the core vision, it requires a distinct skillset from the surrounding creative team to help that vision mature without overtaking it.

This three-part workshop is designed for dramaturgs, directors, and producers who want to create collaborative rooms and processes that centre the developmental needs of the playwright and their play. The series is led by Amber Bradshaw, Managing Artistic Director of the new play incubator Working Title Playwrights, who brings over 20 years of experience developing new scripts as a dramaturg, director, and producer.

Over three interconnected sessions, we will examine how to offer dramaturgical analysis targeted at early draft revisions, how to direct workshops so that text development remains the priority, and how to structure and moderate work-in-progress talkbacks that do not overwhelm the playwright. Participants will walk away with frameworks and tools to set up supportive creative environments and empower writers to confidently shape the development process as best serves them.

Text Support is a professional development series exploring global perspectives on text dramaturgy and building playwright-centric processes.

Who is this for?

Dramaturgs, directors, programmers, producers and other artists who support playwrights through the new play development process.

Workshop details

Wed, 22 July 2026, 8 - 10am EST / 8 - 10pm SGT

Early draft dramaturgy

Supporting a playwright with an early script draft requires a different approach from working with a rehearsal-ready text. This session explores how dramaturgs, writing mentors and directors engage with a writer at the start of a play’s journey and help shape the process from the ground up.

Together, we will examine the dramaturgy of a short play and develop feedback for the playwright. We will pay special attention to the craft of written feedback, including what to say, how to frame notes, and how much information is useful at this stage of development.

Documentation

A Zoom session featuring 15 participants.

We welcomed 14 participants for this edition of Text Support 2026, hailing from a range of different background and with varying levels of experience in dramaturgy and dramaturgical practice. The first session opened with introductions for Amber and all participants to know each other better.

A Zoom session with a screen-share alongside a gallery of participants.

Facilitator Amber introduced the concept of new draft dramaturgy, detailing what participants would delve into over the course of three workshop sessions. They had the opportunity to explore and unpack fundamental questions about dramaturgy with Amber's guidance.

A Zoom session with a screen-share alongside a one speaker.

Most critically, Amber emphasised the importance of getting to know both the playwright and the play before offering dramaturgical support, and shared a series of guiding questions to help facilitate that process.

Wed, 29 July 2026, 8 - 10am EST / 8 - 10pm SGT

The new play workshop

Moving a script from page to workshop introduces a fresh set of perspectives from new collaborators. How can these directors, actors, designers, and producers contribute thinking and embodiment to support a writer’s next steps?

This session explores best practices for development rooms, including table reads, rehearsal facilitation, and preparations for public presentations. It also examines how directing a new play workshop differs from staging a standard production, keeping the focus firmly on text development.

Documentation

Amber opened the second workshop session by going through a play script for which she previously acted as dramaturg. She discussed how she approached the text, the nature of the feedback she provided, and the conversations she had with the playwright to help them take the play forward.

In the second half of the session, Amber went into more detail about the preparation required when 'building a room' - creating an event and/or space focusing on script dramaturgy and development.

Amber also discussed the recommended rules of engagement for participants involved in a table read or critique session which would keep the space safe and cohesive for everyone, and allow the playwright to receive the most helpful, useful feedback.

Wed, 5 Aug 2026, 8 - 10am EST / 8 - 10pm SGT

Moderating feedback

Managing feedback during work-in-progress showings can be one of the most challenging parts of play development. Dramaturgs, directors and programmers often facilitate post-presentation discussions. The final session explores how to structure these conversations, set clear feedback guidelines, and manage the room during a Q&A.

We will also look at how to work with a playwright before the audience arrives, including preparing focused questions tailored to the script's needs. Lastly, we consider strategies to help writers process, filter, and use feedback without feeling overwhelmed.

Documentation

For the final session, Amber focused on best practices for moderating feedback, whether during a table read or at a talkback after a staged presentation. This involves understanding who should be involved in delivering feedback, how they should phrase their thoughts, and what aspects of the script they should focus on in different scenarios.

Following Amber's presentation, participants were split into breakout rooms, where they discussed feedback sessions that they had previously experienced, the kinds of rules and structures these sessions followed, and what additional rules they might have implemented to improve flow and feedback quality.

A Zoom session featuring three main speakers and a gallery of participants.

The session closed with a quick sharing from the participants regarding what they discussed in their breakout rooms, and final questions on any aspects of new play dramaturgy. We'd like to thank Amber for a fruitful workshop series, as well as all of our participants for joining us!

Learn more about our first edition

Text Support: A Workshop Series for Dramaturgs

Start: 12 August 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

How will these workshops be conducted?

All workshops will be conducted online via Zoom
Each workshop will be capped at 15 participants
The working language will be English. Captioning (in English) will be enabled for Zoom so you will be able to use this function if you wish.
The sessions will be conducted using a mix of short presentations, discussions and breakout group activities.
There will be some readings assigned prior to each workshop. Participants will be expected to make time to complete these.

I am not a dramaturg, director or producer but I like supporting new plays. Is this workshop suitable for me?

While the workshop is aimed at dramaturgs, directors, programmers and producers, we also welcome actors, designers, stage & production managers and other artists who support playwrights through the new play development process.

I am interested in the workshops but cannot attend 1 of the sessions, should I still apply?

Please complete the application form and write a note about which date you cannot attend. Someone from Centre 42 will be in touch to discuss whether this will be feasible.

Application

– Application Period: 8 - 30 June 2026 –

To qualify for these online workshops, you must:

Be aged above 21 years old.
Have a practice in the performing arts, or are engaged professionally in the performing arts, for a minimum of 2 years.
Have prior experience working with a playwright developing a new play.
Be comfortable communicating in English.
Have a stable internet connection so that you can fully participate via Zoom both on audio and video.

To apply:

Complete the online application form here.
Submit by Wed, 30 June 2026, 11.59PM (UTC+8).
Confirmation of your spot in the workshops will be announced by 8 July 2026.
Successful applicants are to confirm their participation and make workshop fee payment by 12 July 2026.