Cumbrian young writers competition

Theatre by the Lake in Keswick is launching a competition encouraging budding young playwrights to put pen to paper.

The Young Writers’ Competition is a new initiative which invites short play submissions from Cumbrian writers aged 14 – 25. Theatre by the Lake will select up to five talented entrants who will get the chance to develop their play with the support of experienced theatre makers, before it is performed by the theatre’s Young Actors’ company in 2015. Winners will also receive a pair of free tickets to the opening night of The Comedy of Errors, one of the theatre’s Summer Season productions.

The theme for the competition is ‘Swings and Roundabouts’, which writers can interpret in any way they wish. Throughout February and March the Theatre by the Lake website will feature tips and tricks to help writers construct their plays.

Annie McCourt, Head of Theatre by the Lake’s Education and Participation team, said: “this is a superb opportunity for local young playwrights to get creative and respond to a brief, just like in a real-life writing commission. The winners will receive professional mentoring, which will be invaluable to the development of their writing skills. It’s especially exciting that the finished products will feature in our February Festival of Youth in 2015 – as a writer there’s nothing better than seeing your ideas in action. I can’t wait to start reading the entries!”

Competition entrants must be aged 14 – 25 and live in Cumbria. Submissions need to be playscripts, running at no longer than 20 minutes and suitable for actors aged 14 – 18. Plays should be written for a maximum of 8 performers.

For more information, visit www.theatrebythelake.com/participate/youngwriters