The call for submission for the atyp Foundation Commission is now open.
 
The commission offers a successful playwright (or writing team) $10,000 to develop a short (45 – 55 minute) script suitable to be performed by actors aged between 10 and 13. 

The atyp Foundation Commission recognises that tens of thousands of children aged between 10 and 13 participate in drama activities in Australia every year.  Despite this very few scripts are commissioned and professionally developed for this age group to perform.  The atyp Foundation aims to generate a body of new work to engage and excite young artists and audiences across the country for years to come.

The 2012 Commission was won by playwright Jessica Bellamy, who is currently working on the script for her winning pitch, COMPASS, which will premiere at atyp later this year. 

In addition to the commissioning fee the winning applicant will receive:

• Expenses to travel to Sydney to workshop the script during development;
• Confirmation that the resulting script will be programmed as part of Australian Theatre for Young People’s 2014 season;
• Expenses to travel to Sydney to attend the first performance; and
• Confirmation that the script will be published by Playlab so that it can be performed by schools and youth theatres around the country for years to come.

Applications are accepted from playwrights of all ages and levels of experience. Applicants must be Australian citizens and resident in the country.

Submissions must not exceed 2 pages (11 point font) and should include:

• Contact details
• A brief synopsis
• Proposed cast size and technical requirements (if applicable)
• A statement from the writer on the impetus for the work
• A proposed creative development time-line, including if relevant, detail on the preferred development process

Writers are encouraged to include up to 4 pages of their existing work that reflects their writing style. 

Shortlisted applicants will participate in a phone/skype/in-person interview to determine the successful commission. 

For advice on writing for young perfomers and audiences, listen to our recent forum, The Wonder Years, below, and read our blog piece, here.
 

It is a condition of entry that successful applicants are prepared to participate in at least one script development workshop involving young people aged between 10 and 13 years who will provide feedback to the writer as part of the development process.

The closing date for applications is 5.00 pm on Friday 10th May.  

The atyp Foundation Commission is proudly supported by Playlab. Playlab is a national organisation based in Brisbane that specialises in brokering relationships between artists and companies, facilitating creative development in order to stimulate the production of new Australian plays. Playlab supports playwrights from concept to publication.

Please email applications to:  atyp@atyp.com.au and write in the Subject line: atyp Foundation Commission

For applications seeking to adapt extant material (books, poems, songs, games, etc) the applicant is responsible for securing adaptation rights from the copyright holder.  Any fees associated with such rights are the sole responsibility of the applicant.  A letter from the copyright holder confirming permission to adapt the original work must be submitted with the application.

The atyp Foundation Commission will only accept one application per writer per year.

The atyp Foundation was established in 2003.  Its role is to create and maintain a capital fund that can ensure atyp’s future and enable it to reach many more young Australians.