We're all about playwrights this month. Not that we aren't normally, but this November is pretty special. In the last four weeks, we've held script workshops on seven new plays. Seven eclectic, imaginative and inspiring new stories, from every corner of our country.

I know I bang on about it, but yet again I'm reminded of the brilliance, range and imagination of our writers and the unique worlds they conjure. We've been exploring sinkholes, space debris, global agribusiness, kangaroo stew, asylums, Sri Lankan civil unrest and a satanic Christmas. And we've been delighted to work with Belvoir, Ilbijerri, CuriousWorks, Yirra Yaakin and Tantrum Youth Arts as we do it. Hopefully these scripts will all land on a stage near you in the not-too-distant future.

But seven writers, seven plays feels terribly conventional. What about twenty writers, one play? Our biggest creative experiment to date, the Chain Play, lands next week.

We're finally announcing the full line-up of playwrights, with Angela Betzien, Jane Bodie, Andrew Bovell, Mary Rachel Brown, Angus Cerini, Declan Greene, Lally Katz, Phil Kavanagh, Michele Lee, Nakkiah Lui, Suzie Miller, David Milroy, Ross Mueller, Kate Mulvany, Tommy Murphy, Joanna Murray-Smith, Lachlan Philpott, Hannie Rayson, John Romeril and David Williamson making up roster. We're putting the final touches to the script, confirming the last actors and getting ready for a unique celebration of the magic of Australian playwriting. A few tickets are still available so be sure to snap them up quickly. 

And, finally, we welcome the twelve writers who will join us for the next phase of Lotus, our Asian-Australian playwriting program.

We're sprinting to the finish line this year...

Take care

Tim

We are currently looking for a team of extraordinary volunteers inc. ushers, runners and waiters to help us deliver a smooth and successful event.

Ideally, we are looking for people with a love for theatre and experience in hospitality (RSA licence desirable). Volunteers will need to be available on Thur 19 November, from 5pm - 11pm. In return, you will get to see the play for free (single ticket valued at $200), mingle with celebrities and avid theatre patrons, and share a drink with us at the after party.

If you are keen to join the team, then get in touch with us today by sending your CV to info@pwa.org.au.

We are proud to announce the twelve playwrights supported through our Lotus First Draft program in 2015-2016.

Over a six-month period and across three cities (Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne), twelve playwrights will embark on Lotus First Draft, a brand new program designed to support the creation of new plays by Asian-Australian writers. 

Discover the writers and read more about the program on the PWA Blog now. 

Entries are now open for the prestigious Griffin Award. The award recognises an outstanding play or performance text that displays an authentic, inventive and contemporary Australian voice, with the winner receiving a $10,000 prize.

Previous recipients include Stephen Carleton with Turquoise Elephant (2015) and Angus Cerini with The Bleeding Tree (2014). 

Closing date: Thursday 31 December 2015

ATYP is offering a professional residency for a young adult playwright aged between 18 and 26.

This position offers a writer a minimum of $20,000 in commissions plus a further $5,000 worth of dramaturgical and workshop support. The residency has been established to invest in the development of a writer rather than a specific work, building skills that can lead to a sustained career.

Read more and apply today!

Closing date: Monday 7 December 2015

The Rodney Seaborn Playwriting Support Fund provides assistance to playwrights and theatre artists to advance knowledge and appreciation of playwriting as an artform.

Under the Play Writing Support Fund, grants of up to $5000 are available to assist playwrights to realise their full potential and produce works suitable for performance by a professional theatre company. Applications are open to individuals or arts organisations.

Closing date: Wednesday 9 December 2015

Small and Loud is a new 'scratch night' in Melbourne - a monthly event giving you the opportunity to test theatre and performance works in development in front of a fresh audience. Starting in January 2016, events will be held on the last Wednesday of each month at the Workers Club in Fitzroy.

Submissions are now open for artists to present in the first 3 months of 2016.

Closing date: Monday 30 November 2015

Blue Room Theatre is proud to introduce LOFT, a brand new funding and support program that encourages Western Australian independent artists to think big.

LOFT will support the creative development, presentation and redevelopment of existing and new WA theatre works.

Successful theatre projects will receive funding and access to producing, administrative, marketing and technical support from Blue Room. 

Closing date: Monday 25 November 2015

The Young Wharfies is a great opportunity for a Year 11 Drama students to attend a range of productions in the Sydney Theatre Company season.

The group will participate in a number of activities including pre and post-show workshops to examine and reflect on specific aspects of each production, and masterclasses lead by artists/creatives about playwriting, directing and programming for theatre.

Closing date: Friday 20 November 2015 

ATTEND: The annual WA Day of the Playwright presented by the AWG is on in Perth this Saturday 14 November. More info

ATTEND: The picnic baskets are out! Critcial Stages are throwing an Indi Theatre Picnic on Saturday 28 November. 
Click here for more info and to RSVP.

READ: SMH's Arts editor Elissa Blake writes about the recent Women in Theatre and Screen Think Tank event addressing mounting gender disparity in the performing arts. Get tickets to their next event here.

From acclaimed playwright Nick Enright comes Good Works, a powerful and masterfully told Australian story. Centred on two boyhood friends whose family histories shape them as men, it’s a tale of past crimes and misdemeanours, and innocence lost.

Good Works plays at Darlinghurst Theatre Company until 29 Nov in a stunning production directed by PWA's Associate Artist Iain Sinclair. 

For your chance to WIN a double pass to the Tues 16 Nov 8pm performance, email theatre@darlinghursttheatre.com with PLAYWRITING WORKS in the subject line.