Stage Writing for Commission
Applications are Open for Stage Writing for Commission: The Writers’ Block 4 day training programme for Emerging Playwrights, funded and in partnership with The Minack Theatre.
Deadline for applications: Thursday 19th of June 9am
The outcome of the programme is for The Minack Theatre to commission a selection of short, original plays for Autumn 2025 for their Play in a Day programme.
We’re looking for emerging writers of all ages and backgrounds who are passionate about storytelling and interested in writing a short play for the Minack Theatre and its Acting Academy for children and young people. This is a unique opportunity to have a ten-minute play produced and performed in a one-day event in front of the Minack’s family-oriented audience.
Led by dramaturge, writer and lecturer, Jane Pugh, participants will examine and practise the art of writing for the theatre, they’ll be time to write and work up an outline and scene samples.
These will be presented in the form of a script read-through by Minack Academy actors to industry professionals on the final day of our workshops.
Following the workshops, writers are tasked with writing the first draft of their ten minute play for submission to a panel of theatre makers for possible selection. Not all participants will have their play commissioned, those that are successful will receive a fee to produce subsequent drafts ready for production and script edited by Jane. The writers will then have their play directed professionally over one exciting day at The Minack, performed by the academy and in front of a live audience.
This is a fun, hard work, dynamic and exciting opportunity to write for one of the country’s most iconic theatres.
Previous feedback
“I got so many ideas over the three days! Between Jane’s excellent creative prompts, the spaces we were working in, and the insights of my peers, I think I’ve got enough interesting ideas to fuel my writing for the next decade at least.”
“Sharing work throughout with the other writers was so beneficial to my development as I love to work collaboratively. It was a great opportunity to network with other writers and also be able to share our work with external directors/writers/actors and hear their feedback on what we had created.”
COURSE DETAILS
When:
Wednesday 30th July, Thursday 31st July, Friday 1st August, and Tuesday 5th August
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day
We recommend keeping the weekend and Monday 4th August free for self-directed writing.
Where:
The Writers’ Block
The Ladder, Clinton Road
Redruth, TR15 2QE
Who:
Emerging playwrights (maximum of 8 participants) from the South West
What:
Why we write a story underpins everything writers do. Using the Minack Theatre as our inspiration, we’ll begin by asking ourselves what we truly want to write about.
Together, we’ll explore story worlds, build characters, develop dialogue, and craft something moving and magical for Minack audiences.
On the final day, you’ll have the opportunity to hear an excerpt of your work read aloud by performers.
Cost:
The course is fully funded by The Minack Theatre, so there is no cost to participants.
Please note: Travel and accommodation are not covered.
HOW TO APPLY
Use one of the following quotes as an inspiration:
If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks .., but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.
From The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery
A dreamer, I walked enchanted and nothing held me back.
From Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, novelist and Cornish resident
Joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair
by Anne Morrow Lindbergh,early 20th century aviator
Don’t sit down and wait for opportunities to come, get up and make them.
Madam CJ Walker, business woman and philanthropist and America’s first African American female millionaire.
We have the power to create our own reality, dream it, think it, say it, do it.
Twiggy Pucci Garson, trans activist, artist.
Write a three-minute play inspired by one of the quotes. You can interpret the quote in any way you like. We’re interested in your idea, your voice, and how you use the Minack stage to best explore your story.
Include brief character biographies.
Correctly format your play.
Also send us:
A one page biography or curriculum vitae
A half page covering letter saying why you would like to do this course
Put all the requirements (play, CV or biography, covering letter) into one single Word or PDF document. Make sure you put your contact details on the document. Do not send Pages documents, or the covering letter in the body of the email. The application panel will only be sent this one document.
To submit: Email to [email protected] byThursday 19th of June 9am 2025
DIVERSITY It is important to us that we reach and work with a diverse range of people. Therefore we ask you to complete our short equality, diversity, and inclusion survey. It is anonymous and completely voluntary https://forms.office.com/r/j3zQbF0vWe
For further information before applying please contact Venue & Programme Manager Grace Davies at [email protected]
Applicants will be advised of decisions in the week of 30th June 2025
THE PARTNERS
About The Writers’ Block
At The Writers’ Block we believe in the power of the written and spoken word to transform lives. Based in Redruth, The Writers’ Block is both a place to write and a unique approach to developing skills and confidence in creative writing. Working with families, young people, schools, communities, harder to reach individuals and emerging adult writers and performers, The Writers’ Block helps people to find their voice and their story. As the Writing Centre for Cornwall, The Writers’ Block also has a key role in training new writers and creating opportunities for commissions and production.
www.thewritersblock.org.uk/
About Jane Pugh
Jane Pugh is a dramaturge, writer and lecturer specializing in story development and narrative structure. She teaches screenwriting and filmmaking at Falmouth University. Her latest script editing credits are You Never Saw Me (Tori Cannell, Minack Theatre, The Writers’ Block) The Commotion Time (Sarah Dickenson, Exeter Northcott), Pearl O’Wisdom (Tamara Stidwell, The Minack Theatre). Her play, If You Like the Music Baby is in development with Illyria Theatre. She recently completed sixty three-minute scripts for Trinity College Acting for the Screen course. Her story, Survival Tips is published by Cornwall Natural Beauty’s Twelve Stories for Twelve Sections andher short film, Asleep on A Sea of Dreams was selected by Cornwall Film Festival, 2024. She works with Voices From the Deep, a collective of women writers who are survivors of domestic abuse on performance and publication projects including Measure for Measure produced by Moving Stories in partnership with West Cornwall Women’s Aid.
About The Minack
The Minack is a spectacular open air theatre, perched on the Cornish cliffs, designed and built by Rowena Cade. Each year, they stage over 200 live performances at the Minack, including plays, musicals, opera, music and children’s events. Tens of thousands of people come here to experience a show at the theatre under the stars and become a part of its extraordinary, on-going story.
www.minack.com/minack-theatre
APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED
