Drama prize
The James Tait Black Prizes are being extended to include a new category for drama.
The prize for the best original new play written in English, Scots or Gaelic will be organised by the University in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland.
Judges will award the accolade to a play which displays an original voice in theatre and one that they feel has made a significant and unique contribution to the art form.
The prize is open to any new work by playwrights from any country, and at any stage in their career.
The judges will be students and staff of the University’s School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures and representatives from the National Theatre of Scotland.
I am delighted that the University is working with the National Theatre of Scotland to create this new James Tait Black Prize for Drama. The James Tait Black Prizes have a very long history of celebrating the work of great novelists and biographers and it is wonderful that we can now extend this to recognise original and innovative drama.
Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea
Principal, The University of Edinburgh
Recognising original drama
The National Theatre of Scotland will perform the winning play as a public reading during the August festivals in Edinburgh.
The first winner of the £10,000 annual award will be announced in August 2013.
We are very pleased to be forging a long term partnership with the University of Edinburgh and to be involved in the inauguration of the James Tait Black Award for Drama, with its close associations to the prestigious literary prizes. It is an honour to create a new award for playwrights and we look forward to rewarding truly original voices in world theatre for years to come.
George Aza-Selinger
Literary Manager, National Theatre of Scotland
Submissions
Eligible plays are those originally written in English (including all standard and non-standard varieties) Scots or Gaelic, first produced in 2011 or 2012, and performed by a professional company.
The two-year period is to mark the award’s inauguration; subsequent years will only consider plays produced in the previous year.
Theatre companies and agents are invited to submit scripts to the Department of English Literature by 28 February 2013. (There is no application form to complete.)
A typed copy of the script must be sent with details of the first production, which should include venue, company and date.
The submissions must come from the producing company or the agent of the playwright.
Further information
For further information on how to make a submission, please contact Nicola McCartney.
This article was published on Jan 31, 2013