Deadline: 10 April 2012
Since 1989 the Royal Court Theatre has collaborated with emerging playwrights from all parts of the world. International Playwriting Residencies offer playwrights from around the world an opportunity to develop a new play with the Royal Court Theatre. At the same time these Residencies provide international playwrights with a forum to meet and work with leading British writers, directors and performers.
The Royal Court Theatre is one of Europe’s leading theatres, which since 1956 has presented a programme of new and innovative drama that has become known throughout the world. Since its foundation, it has presented premieres by almost every leading contemporary British playwright, from John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger to Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls to Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem. Some of the other writers who have premiered their work at the Royal Court include Samuel Beckett, Edward Bond, Martin Crimp, David Hare, Sarah Kane, Harold Pinter, Mark Ravenhill, Simon Stephens, Wole Soyinka, and debbie tucker green. The Royal Court is the only British new writing theatre with a commitment to working with playwrights across the world to develop new plays. Many new and exciting theatre projects have evolved in different parts of the world as a result of the programme including seasons of new international work at the Royal Court. Most of this work is supported by the Genesis Foundation and the British Council.
The Royal Court has two theatres: the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs (a 400-seat proscenium arch theatre) and the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, which has been the Royal Court’s studio for exploration and experiment since 1968, providing a home for the early work by many major British writers, directors and performers. The Royal Court typically produces 15 to 20 new plays each year, most of which are premières of plays commissioned, developed or discovered by the theatre.
Programme
International Playwriting Residencies are attachments lasting up to four weeks during which playwrights will be asked to develop a new play in collaboration with members of the Royal Court Theatre artistic team. Playwrights will be teamed with their own British theatre director and translator who will work throughout the Residency to help realise the play. Writing space and computer facilities will be provided by the Royal Court Theatre. There will also be the opportunity to work with a specially chosen team of actors in a workshop environment during the Residency. The Royal Court Theatre will arrange complimentary tickets to all shows at the theatre for the duration of the Residency, as well as productions at other venues in London.
Dates
International Playwriting Residencies will take place throughout the year, at a time mutually agreed between selected candidates and the Royal Court Theatre.
Language
Playwrights will be expected to write in their mother tongue and this work will be translated by the Royal Court. However, playwrights will need to have a good working knowledge of English as all meetings and workshops will be conducted in English.
Travel and Accommodation
International travel, entry visas and accommodation will be provided by the Royal Court Theatre. Accommodation is self-catering, within walking distance or a short bus ride from the theatre.
Funding
The Royal Court Theatre may seek funding for successful candidates in order to pay for their participation. Playwrights may be asked to help in researching and applying for grants available in their home countries. Please note that acceptance on International Playwriting Residencies is NOT dependent on funding.
Applications
Please provide us with the following:
- a completed application form
- a recent example of your work (this should be an original, full-length stage play, in the original language, and not an adaptation)
- two letters of recommendation from people who know your theatre work
Applications are welcomed from previous participants on Royal Court Theatre projects and residencies. If you have applied for, or participated in, any Royal Court Theatre programmes in the past, please do not send the same example of work.
Applications will be accepted until 6pm (BST) on Tuesday, 10 April 2012. All applications should be printed single-sided and unbound. We will acknowledge your application within two working days of receiving it.
Please send your completed application to:
Elyse Dodgson, Royal Court Theatre,
Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS, UK
Tel: +44 20 7565 5050
Email: residencies@royalcourttheatre.com
Download application form >>
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: international@royalcourttheatre.com
For submissions: Elyse Dodgson, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS, UK
Website: http://www.royalcourttheatre.com