September 25, 2009

PLAYMARKET ANNOUNCES A BOOST FOR NEW ZEALAND’S NEW PLAYWRITING AWARD:  The Adam New Zealand Play Award   

Playmarket is pleased to announce a significant boost to the Playmarket New Play Award with the sponsorship of the Adam Foundation. To be announced in early 2010, the winner of this award, now re-named the Adam New Zealand Play Award, will receive a cash prize of $5000 and one of the shortlisted plays will receive a public play-reading at Circa Theatre in 2010, produced by Playmarket and Circa.

The award is open to any new unproduced New Zealand play not currently scheduled for production. Submissions are now open and the deadline is December 4th 2009.

"I am delighted to announce that the Adam Foundation, after consultation with Playmarket and Circa Theatre, has decided to fund a new Adam New Zealand Play Award," says Denis Adam. "A judging panel is being established by Playmarket with representation from Circa Theatre and one other respected judge from outside of Wellington to emphasise the national nature of this award."

The Adam Foundation are longtime supporters of New Zealand playwrights. The foundation sponsored a one-off play award in 1993 and went on to sponsor the annual Adam Playreading Series.

The 53rd Victim by Pip Hall won Playmarket’s last New Play Award. This and other shortlisted works have gone on to rehearsed public readings and other Playmarket development support. The winner in 2008 was Ninna Tersman, whose play Fucking Parasites was workshopped in London, directed by Lorae Parry with script advisor Tanika Gupta. Its premiere took place at the Alcyone Festival in Chicago this year.

For the award Playmarket are encouraging playwrights to imagine their absolutely ideal theatre. It has no cast restrictions, attracts only brilliant actors, designers and directors, is physically magically flexible, and has a huge loyal audience who are longing to see a play exactly like theirs. Entries from outside New Zealand are welcomed but they must be by New Zealand permanent residents or citizens.

Three further prizes also feature as part of the award. They encourage stronger representation of women, Māori in our theatre – areas Playmarket believes there needs to be growth in – and a special opportunity for Auckland playwrights.

The Best Play by a Māori Playwright
Starting this year, there will now be a special prize for the best play submitted by a Māori Playwright. We offer a reading, and production assistance as appropriate.  Playmarket are currently seeking a sponsor for this prize.

The Best Play by a Woman Playwright
This work will also be eligible for submission to publishers The Play Press as their entry for the annual Susan Smith Blackburn Prize (submissions by invitation only: www.blackburnprize.org ).

The Best Play by an Auckland Playwright
In addition the best Auckland submission to the award will receive development support and a performance opportunity at the PumpHouse Theatre during February 2010.

All submissions may be made to scripts@playmarket.org.nz
For more information click here