New Scripts Garage, November 2023

The New Scripts Garage is a regular offer of dramaturgical support for new scripts, convened every other month, with low barriers to entry. On a regular basis, we open our inboxes for script submissions from playwrights seeking dramaturgical support for their work.

For the November 2023 cycle, we are collaborating with Teater Ekamatra to offer a Malay-language edition, that will accept up to eight scripts through an Open Call.

Please note that this is not a presentational platform. This short-form residency is ideal for playwrights who have a script that they want to take forward to the next draft in the development process.

The five eligible scripts for this cycle and the support they have received are:

1) Joget by Ezra Kamal
Selected for Script Circle

2) Madah Nusantara by Zubaida Ali
Receive 1-on-1 Consultation 

3) young & malay by Dia Hakim
Receive 1-on-1 Consultation 

4) .EXE by Wan Ahmad
Receive 1-on-1 Consultation 

5) Mana Perginya Syawal?
Receive Written Feedback

Joget by Ezra Kamal received a script cycle for this cycle of the New Scripts Garage. 

Facilitator Adib Kosnan shared the preliminary feedback from the evaluation session with Ezra and defined specific discussion questions ahead of the session.

Farah Lola, Dalifah Shahril and Tysha Khan were invited to read characters in the script, while Adib read stage directions. Observers at the table were Zulfadli Rashid (Big) and Moli Mohter along with staff from Teater Ekamatra and C42. 

Feedback was given on the language used in the script, the underlying themes, intentions and motivation for the script as well as some ideas on how to take the script further.

Script Circle Group: (From L-R, Row 1) Dalifah Shahril, Ezra Kamal, Moli Mohter (From L-R, Row 2) Farah Lola, Adib Kosnan, Zulfadli Rashid (Big), Tysha Khan.

The first eight eligible scripts received during the Open Call Submissions period will be handed over to the team of readers, made up of directors, playwrights, and dramaturgs, who will consider the submissions.

Based on the quality of the script, its stage of development, and the writer's needs as expressed in the application form, they will then recommend either a Script Circle or one-on-one dramaturgy consultation sessions. 

The Script Circle will be organised by Centre 42 and Teater Ekamatra, who will invite actors, writers, directors, and dramaturgs from a pool of artists we have been working closely with on this programme.

The scripts receiving one-on-one dramaturgy sessions will be scheduled directly with our dramaturgs, who will read the scripts and provide detailed feedback in discussion with the writer.

Scripts that are not allocated for the Script Circle or one-on-one dramaturgy sessions will receive written feedback consolidated from the reading team’s discussion. These playwrights and writers are welcome to submit subsequent drafts for future iterations of the New Scripts Garage.

This programme prioritises writer development over polish, and aims to get the writer excited to work on the next draft of their script, with a clearer sense of where to go.

Script Eligibility:

• We are accepting plays in the Malay-language or predominantly (at least 80%) in the Malay-language for this special edition. Translations are welcome where available.
• We are not accepting straight adaptations of other work (e.g. novels, films), but will accept adaptations with a clear creative, re-inventive, and/or radical approach. 
• We prioritise completed drafts of full length plays and shorter plays. We may consider partially complete drafts of scripts with extensive scenes. 

14 October (12pm) - 20 October 2023 (12pm):

[UPDATE: Open Call extended! We still have space to accommodate a few more scripts... so don’t hesitate anymore – submit your application by 20 Oct, 12pm]

• Submission Box is open!  If you have a script you’d like to receive feedback on, complete this form and submit your script during this period.
• Note that scripts are received on a first-come-first-served basis. The Submission Box will close after receiving the first 8 scripts.
   

22 October - 4 November 2023:

• Selection and shortlisting process by reading team.
   

8 November 2023:

• Applicants will be notified of results and/or feedback on scripts.
• Playwrights whose scripts are selected for the Script Circle and 1-on-1 dramaturgical sessions will be contacted to prepare for their respective sessions.
   

27 November 2023:

• Closed-door Script Circle will be conducted for the selected script in this New Scripts Garage cycle.

• To help us understand how best to create a supportive environment for your work in this New Script Garage structure, we will require you to respond to these questions in an application form:

1. Tell us something about the impulse for writing this play.
2. If this play has undergone an earlier development process, please tell us a little bit about it.
3. How do you feel about this draft as it currently stands?
4. What are some questions about the draft (e.g. aspects of craft, theme, story etc) you would like our reading panel to focus on while reading? 
5. What future work do you plan to do on this draft?

• Complete this online application form between 14 - 18 October 2023. Do note that this will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
• We will only consider and accept one play per writer each cycle. If you had submitted multiple plays in this cycle, only the 1st submission will be considered as eligible.

The reading and selection of scripts will be conducted by a team of dramaturgs, directors and playwrights put together by Centre 42 and Teater Ekamatra who are actively engaged in their practices with new writing development. 

Names of the team for the November 2023 cycle comprises:

Centre 42 and Teater Ekamatra have also put together a larger pool of practitioners who have agreed to be involved in the 1-on-1 consultations and Script Circle: