The program aims to coach talented playwrights towards the development of contemporary South/ern African work and new writers for the stage. Selected playwrights must each use this process to write and develop a script for a stage play.

Each round of workshops, for a period of six months, takes in a pool of ten participants from the Southern African region. As part of the creative process writers are also expected to enter into dialogue and criticism of each other’s scripts. We provide a vibrant space for playwrights to supplement theirs skills and prepare new scripts for production.

The key topics are: Drama and Social Change in Africa; Inspiration and Research; Plotting a Story; Character Bibles; and Dramatic Dialogue. The last two months of the program is a Black Box project where the works will be staged for the purpose of providing playwrights the opportunity to hear and see their plays performed publicly; and receive peer reviews and public responses towards the final drafting of the scripts. Each stage of the workshop series will be guided by different visiting professionals whose range of approaches to playwriting and creative work will broaden the workshop experience.

Participants will be required to attend workshops on the following dates in Johannesburg at the Windybrow Theatre:

• Workshop 1         15 to 18 August 2006
• Workshop 2         5 to 8 September 2006
• Workshop 3         3 to 6 October 2006
• Workshop 4         7 to 10 November 2006

The Playwrights Black Box Festival will be held during February 2007.

Course costs

The fee for the entire workshop course is R1200 per person. This includes all tuition and course materials. It does not include travel, accommodation and subsistence costs incurred during workshops in Johannesburg; these costs are to be borne by the participants themselves.

A limited number of bursaries (to cover tuition fees) are available for participants who have a genuine financial need.

Application procedure

Interested applicants must submit:

• a script for a one-act play of about ten pages (typed)
• a brief synopsis of the play
• a brief artistic profile
• artistic references
• a one page personal statement outlining the applicant’s objectives in applying to the program
• address, telephone and email details

Key dates:

• Closing date for applications1         21 July 2006
• Notification of acceptance1              4 August 2006

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed prior to final selection.

A limited number of bursaries (to cover tuition fees) are available for participants who have a genuine financial need.

Applications may be posted to:
Playwrights Workshop
The Windybrow Theatre
P O Box 3410
Johannesburg
2000

Applications may be faxed to:
Playwrights Workshop
Windybrow Theatre
(011) 725 5006

Applications may be emailed to:
Spoken Word Development
Windybrow Theatre
development@windybrow.co.za