News

• Connie Fisher explains  why TheatreFest is a fantastic Concept 

“TheatreFest is a fantastic concept for NODA to be pioneering and the TheatreFest New Work Award really taps into what theatre’s all about, discovering and nurturing new talent and attracting new audiences. It’s a project which is, quite literally, giving amateur theatre an opportunity to take centre stage.”- Connie Fisher.

• Isle of Man TheatreFest to promote new writing

A five-year project aimed at promoting new writing in professional and amateur theatre will launch in the Isle of Man this year. –The Stage

 

• Act now to enter new play-writing challenge, TheatreFest15 urges

Entries are now open for the TheatreFest New Work Award 2015.

Organised by the Isle of Man Arts Council and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) the competition is the inaugural initiative of TheatreFest15, the five-year project to promote new work for the theatre launched in May in the Isle of Man.

To enter, writers are asked to submit a one-act play themed on the subject of slavery. The winner of the TheatreFest New Work Award will see their play produced in 2016 for one night at the Talisman Theatre in Kenilworth, Warwickshire and be staged at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas in the Isle of Man as part of that year’s TheatreFest programme.

NODA chief executive Tony Gibbs said: ‘We believe this initiative to find a new work for the stage, with its potent theme of slavery – as prevalent now as it was in the past, albeit in a different guise – has the power to unlock exciting new writing talent as well as inspire established authors. We’re also delighted that Colin Dolley, a respected figure in the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, has agreed to chair the judging panel.’

Isle of Man Arts Council vice-chairman Michael Lees said: ‘As with all TheatreFest projects this initiative is open to writers everywhere, locally, across the British Isles and the world. Last year when we celebrated Island of Culture 2014 it brought forth some outstanding new work, so to be able to draw on that legacy in partnership with NODA and open up creative opportunities globally is a truly compelling proposition.’

The launch of the TheatreFest New Work Award coincides with the project’s website, theatrefest15.com, going live.

For rules, terms and conditions, and to find out more about TheatreFest15, visit theatrefest15.com

(Closing date for entries September 4, 2015).