The Theatre503 Playwriting Award Announces 2014 Dates for Entry

Theatre503, the new writing powerhouse that has launched the careers of playwrights Dennis Kelley and Katori Hall, as well as being the smallest unfunded theatre in the UK to win an Olivier Award for Best New Play, continues to break new ground by unveiling The Theatre503 Playwriting Award.

The Theatre503 Playwriting Award is an unprecedented opportunity for playwrights at all levels to be recognised for writing an outstanding, original piece of work for the stage. This biennial award has been made possible by the generous support of The Richard Carne Trust and Royce Bell and will build upon the foundations of the venue's reputation for engaging with the next generation of playwrights, whilst broadening its opportunities to include more experienced, produced writers.

Recipients of the award will receive a financial prize of £6000 and a guaranteed production of their winning play. All UK submissions will be automatically put forward for the next 503 Five Residencies.

The 2014 Theatre503 Playwriting Award will open for entries between 1st and 28th Feb 2014.

Speaking about the award Paul Robinson, Theatre503's Artistic Director said:

The next generation of writing talent is letting us know that 503 is not only their best first chance but, given that we're now attracting a vast number of mid-career writers, also somewhere where promise becomes profile. We believe that the most rewarding experience for a writer is to have their show on, not being trapped in development for years or being palmed off with a rehearsed reading. We're doing what many other venues and writing awards shy away from - we're promising to produce the winning play and we're also opening the doors of 503 even wider by using the process to find our next crop of resident writers.

The judging panel for the award will include Dennis Kelly (Matilda The Musical, Utopia), Chris Campbell (Literary Manager, Royal Court Theatre), Erica Whyman (Associate Artistic Director, RSC and Chair, Theatre503), Roy Williams (Sing Yer Heart Out For The Lads, Suckerpunch), Henry Hitchings (Evening Standard) and Marianne Elliot (Associate Director National Theatre, War Horse, Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time).

The Award will be open to any playwright aged 16+ and writers may submit one unproduced, full-length play.

Please Note: There is no restriction based on the number of professionally credited productions.

Further information on submissions and eligibility to follow.

Theatre503, above the Latchmere Pub, led by Artistic Director Paul Robinson, has a strong reputation for staging plays by first time writers and is the smallest venue in the UK to receive the Olivier Award for Best New Play.

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