Join Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland to explore, uncover and consider what stimulates the artists behind this year’s Made in Scotland programme. Chaired by David Greig, Linda McLean, David Hughes, Nicola McCartney and Jo Clifford and featuring panellists from companies including Catherine Wheels, Grid Iron, Lung Ha’s and The Arches.

These conversations will poke about in the recesses and pan out over the landscape of the showcase connecting you with the artists involved.

These events are FREE but ticketed. For full details of the discussions and how to book, visit http://www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk/madeinscotland.htm

Creative Lab: Creating a Virtual World
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society & Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland
Friday 19th August, 12 – 2pm, Rehearsal Room, Fringe Central

This practical workshop will be delivered by playwright Nicola McCartney and will look at the uses of rhythm, landscape and identity in the writing of a script for live performance.

Current Practice in Scottish Dramaturgy
The Dramaturg’s Café supported by Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland & Dramaturgs’ Network
Thursday 25th August, 11am – 1pm, Lecture Theatre 2, Fringe Central

Reflect on current practice in an informal ‘in conversation with’ format. Playwright Stef Smith and dramaturg Pamela McQueen discuss creating Roadkill, while dramaturg Duska Radosavljevic will explore the dramaturg and the devising process in the work of Grid Iron with producer Judith Docherty.

All events are FREE but ticketed. You can book tickets at fringecentral@edfringe.com or call 0131 240 1902

Bookshop and Information Point, 8th – 28th August, Traverse Theatre

We’re delighted that our Bookshop and Information Point will be back in the Traverse Theatre Bar this year. With a fantastic selection of plays by Scotland’s playwrights for sale and Playwrights’ Studio staff on hand to answer your questions, we hope you’ll find time to visit us there.

Follow us during the Festival on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Pwrightsstudio

Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland, WACtheatre and Aberdeen Performing Arts are delighted to announce a rehearsed reading of The Right Kind of Love by Chantelle Higham on Sunday 17th July at 3pm.

A family are reunited with their now teenage daughter ten years after she was taken from them. They struggle to accept the changes they see in her as she struggles to adjust to a life she doesn't remember ever living.

The family try to fight through their differences but when someone from their past turns up, they are all forced to make some difficult decisions with tragic consequences.

Chantelle Higham is an Aberdeen based writer. She was selected for a writing development opportunity by Playwrights' Studio, Scotland, WACTheatre and Aberdeen Performing Arts working in partnership with funding from Aberdeen City Council. The development included feedback from playwright Davey Anderson and support from director Ros Philips.

Tickets are free but must be booked through the Lemon Tree box office. Call 01224 641122 or visit www.boxofficeaberdeen.com

Creative Scotland’s ‘Creative Futures’ is an ambitious programme of residencies and related activities designed to promote the professional development, vision, connectivity and ambitions of Scotland’s creative practitioners and organisations.

Playwrights Studio, Scotland are delivering two of these residency programmes: Screen Writing Residencies and 360 Narratives

360 Narratives

This project aims to bring together around twenty talented and successful individuals, who create in narrative forms, so that they can develop ideas and methods of working that will enable them to benefit from the possibilities of 360 degree multi-platform content creation. They will have a chance to further capitalise on their creativity in new as well as more traditional formats.

More details and the application process will be posted soon at http://www.playwrightsstudio.co.uk/360narratives.htm

Playwrights' Studio, Scotland is now accepting applications for our 2011/2012 Mentoring Programme. Every year the Playwrights’ Studio offers an opportunity for new playwrights to be mentored by established playwrights. This is an amazing chance to improve your writing skills and gain valuable insights into the playwriting process.

Eligible Applicants

You should be an emerging playwright, living in Scotland or from Scotland and living elsewhere, with a particular play you hope to develop during your mentoring time. You do not need to have been produced in order to qualify.

You should be available from September 2011 for six months to work on your script regularly. Mentees will be matched with a mentor in September and will remain in communication with this mentor over the six month working period.

To apply please send:

• a cover letter explaining why you would like to be mentored
• two ten-page extracts of your writing
• a synopsis of each work from which the extracts have come
• your current contact details
• a brief biography detailing your writing experience to date

Please address applications to:

Playwrights' Studio, Scotland
CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow, G2 3JD

or send via email to info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 31st August

Also Note: Short-listed applicants will be asked to submit a complete piece of writing electronically at a later date.

Supported by Playwrights' Studio, Scotland
Location: CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow
Date: 27 June 2011 at 7pm

Come and explore freshly written play scenes with fellow writers, actors and directors. This is an opportunity to play, create, influence and collaborate with each other.

Play scenes will be cast and directed by those in attendance on the night, workshopped, and read for the group. 

Dates

Stage to Page will take place at 7pm in the CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD on the following dates: 

• Monday 27th June 2011 (Submission deadline: Monday 20th June)
• Monday 18th July 2011 (Submission deadline: Monday 11th July)

Paddy Cunneen will be this month's Guest.

There is also a £3 charge (this is a contribution towards costs).

5-10 minute scenes (maximum of 3 scenes) along with short sypnosis and character breakdowns should be e-mailed to info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk 

If you would like more details on how to be involved, please e-mail info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk or visit the Facebook page 

Stage to Page are grateful for the support of:

We would like to hear from any Scottish Playwrights who are having their plays performed at this year's festival, for promotion at our Information Point.

Please email info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk with the following performance information:

• Play title
• Playwright
• Producing Company
• Venue name and address
• Venue Box Office number
• Performance dates and days off
• Start time and running time
• A short synopsis (40 words maximum)

The deadline for submitting information is Friday 8th July.

If you are an organisation planning an event/competition/opportunity which would be of interest to playwrights, please send details to the above e-mail address for inclusion in the e-bulletin.

Please note, details must be received before the 15th of each month.

Our Play Library is one of Playwrights’ Studio’s most important assets so it’s crucial that we keep it well stocked and up to date for everyone to access.

Thank You.

• To write in a working environment
• Meetings with other writers, press and producers
• Round the table script development
• Reading Room with access to our well stocked Plays Library

Use of the space is subject to availability. To book a time to use the space, please call 0141 332 4403 or e-mail info@playwrightsstudio.co.uk

If you would like to stay in touch via Facebook and remain updated on all our news and upcoming events, please visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Playwrights-Studio-Scotland/31578930993

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Please visit http://twitter.com/Pwrightsstudio to follow all our latest news and find out about future events.

The Itch
The Itch
Location: Glasgow, UK
Deadline: 17 June 2011

The Itch is a new event taking place in The Old Hairdressers in Glasgow. The night will provide emerging artists with a platform to show new and experimental works. Unknown theatre companies, performers, dancers, writers, animators and filmmakers will be given the opportunity to show, either fully formed pieces of work or works in progress. It is a night to push the boundaries of performance, a night where anything goes. 

The organisers are currently looking for artists from a range of disciplines to showcase their own work. Work can be submitted by individual artists or collaborative partnerships. It should be between 5-20 minutes and should be an original piece. If you think you have something to offer this exciting new night please send a copy of your CV and a brief outline of your idea to eilidhreilly@hotmail.com

This position is available from September 2011. You will contribute, as part of a team, towards a module in stage and screen writing, a core module for the MLitt degree in Creative Writing.

This contribution will take the form of a short (six-week) module of your own design, in which postgraduate students will gain a working knowledge of the whole process of writing for stage, from the drafting of a short play, through the process of script-editing, workshopping and rehearsal, to staging and performance before an audience. You will be able to draw on the professional resources of the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, and will be provided with appropriate lecturing, workshopping, rehearsal and performance space, as well as professional actors. Student output from the module will be a short play and a performance diary, which will then contribute to the final CW MLitt degree.   

They welcome applicants who are practising playwrights and dramaturges. A PhD and professional qualifications are NOT essential, but an excellent track-record of performance, publication and professional experience is. You will join a team of internationally-known writers working in the School of English, and your own publications will contribute to the Research Excellence Framework.  

Informal enquiries to Prof Don Paterson (dp31@st-andrews.ac.uk) or Prof John Burnside (jb44@st-andrews.ac.uk).

For more details, visit www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk

WACtheatre want 10 new five-minute monologues about what it means to live with, or be affected by mental illness – from whatever point of view you like. They will make the selection; cast, direct, rehearse, film and present them as part of their contribution to the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival in October 2011.

Monologues must be able to be performed by one actor and should be up to five minutes in length. They’re looking for work on the general theme of mental illness, from any point of view – carer, patient, relative, etc. In addition, monologues can also be inspired by this year’s Festival themes, which are memory and dreams.

Please note, WACtheatre are only looking for submissions from writers who live in the north east of Scotland.

For further details, contact colin@wactheatre.com

The WACtheatre playwriting competition this year is part of WACtheatre’s contribution to the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. They are looking for full length plays on the subject of mental health, or inspired by the Festival themes for this year; memory and dreams

The competition is open to anyone who is over 16 years, living in the North East of Scotland (particularly those based in Aberdeen City and the surrounding area).

Writers should submit two copies of 10 to 15 pages of script (approx 10 minutes) which should be an extract from a longer play, or a piece intended for development.

For further details, contact colin@wactheatre.com

Following the success of last year’s Project DIY, the Academy’s intensive scriptwriting course is back for budding young writers.

This course is a great opportunity for participants to challenge and stretch their scriptwriting skills and learn about essential elements of creating theatrical performance. Areas covered will include character development, storytelling techniques, staging and performance.

Over the week participants will work in small groups with expert facilitation from a professional writer and director. They will be guided through the creative process, from idea development and presentation of writing through to the final performance. 

For further information or to book a space please contact 0141 270 8213 or shortcourses@rsamd.ac.uk

FST is delighted to announce the launch of two Creative Scotland Creative Futures Residencies:

Arts and the Economy
Arts and Equalities

Bursaries of up to £11,500 are available for each area to support an individual to carry out project in the area of Arts and the Economy or Equalities. Applicants may come from any sector within the Arts and Creative Industries, or be individuals working in the field of economics or an equalities specialist.    

Creative Futures is an ambitious programme of residencies and related activities designed to promote the professional development, vision, connectivity and ambitions of Scotland’s creative practitioners and organisations.

For more details on how to apply, visit http://www.scottishtheatres.com/news.php?id=34

The Tom McGrath Trust is set up to honour the life and legacy of Tom McGrath, poet, playwright and creative maverick, who died in 2009. The Trust aims to be a source of inspiration, stimulation and support for artists seeking to develop their craft.

Small Grants Award
Small Grants Awards will be given towards expenditure which makes writing for stage possible and able to be heard, examples may include travel and research; equipment; costs of staging performed readings of new work; general living costs to support artists development.  Small grants awards will range from £300-£500.

For details of how to apply, visit http://tommcgrathtrust.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/small-grants-awards-application-guidelines-doc.pdf or email tommcgrathtrust@gmail.com

Writer and Translator Residencies
The long term aim of the Trust is to provide time and space for writers and translators to work.  This will be done through the establishment of a creative and supportive residential environment, based in and around the home of the late Tom McGrath in Fife.

Scottish and international playwrights and translators will have opportunities to be in residence and can work together or independently to develop new plays, new translations and new working relationships.  It is anticipated that residencies will commence in summer 2011.

For further information, visit http://tommcgrathtrust.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/residency-guidelines.pdf or email tommcgrathtrust@gmail.com

Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing (Scriptwriting)
Edgehill University - Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Location: Lancashire, UK
Deadline: 21 June 2011

Applications are invited from candidates with a proven record of performed / published dramatic writing, as well as substantial experience of university teaching.

The successful candidate will play an active role in the development of the university's new Interdisciplinary Research Centre for the Creative Industries; and external projects will be strongly encouraged, in order to generate publications and / or performances suitable for submission to the Research Excellence Framework.

Applications are invited from candidates with a proven record of performed / published dramatic writing, as well as substantial experience of university teaching. Additional expertise in prose fiction may be an advantage, but is not a requirement of the post. Candidates should be committed to innovation in Learning, Teaching and Assessment, and be reflective practitioners of HE teaching.

For informal enquiries about this vacancy you may wish to contact Mike Bradshaw, Head of Department for English & History on bradsham@edgehill.ac.uk

For an online application form and job description, please visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/job

Match Theatre, Live Theatre and The Empty Space are inviting submissions for Office925.
 
Office925 is a play that takes place in an office in which the audience are given a job title, a desk, a computer a phone and an email account. With actors placed within the audience, the story is then delivered through the modus operandi of an office.

The next period of Research and Development is all about the writing. There is a fee of £1,500 (including expenses) attached to this phase of the process which is to cover an estimated ten days worth of work, taking place across a three month period, at times to be mutually agreed between all partners. They are looking to enhance the concept with a strong narrative and style. This is a piece that explores, amongst other things, how we write stories for theatre.

It is hoped they will preview the production at the Live Theatre.  They will then premier the production at the Edinburgh Festival 2012.
 
Please submit a CV together with a couple of paragraphs explaining what it is that interests you about the project, and any relevant experience you might have, together with a short extract of anything recent you have written. 

Expressions of interest should be sent, via email, to Caroline Routh at carolinerouth@theemptyspace.org.uk

The courses are based on the highly effective residential element of the Clore Fellowship Programme and are designed for people in the middle ranks of larger cultural organisations or those near the top of smaller ones, who have a minimum of 5 years' work experience.

Clore Leadership particularly welcomes applications from people working in libraries, archives, design, individual artists and those working in small and medium sized performing arts organisations.

Such a diverse range of participants brings invaluable experience for the group to share and learn from. Previous participants have included representatives from Akram Khan Company, Arts & Business, Magpie Dance, The National Theatre, the National Trust, Oxford Playhouse, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Scottish National Galleries, Tate, Welsh National Opera, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Youth Music, as well as a range of smaller organisations, freelance practitioners and consultants.

The following courses are available:

Eynsham Hall - 26 September - 7 October 2011
Weetwood Hall - 21 November - 2 December 2011

For further information, visit http://www.cloreleadership.org/page.php?id=55

Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre is looking for 20 budding writers to take part in its free Critical Mass playwriting programme specifically for writers from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.

Critical Mass is an 11 week course for writers aged 18 and above. People wishing to apply may submit up to 10 pages of writing intended for performance. This does not have to be a full piece of work, it can take the form of a few scenes, but it should be the most gripping part of the story.

The deadline for submissions is Thursday 30 June. All submissions should be sent to Leon Phillips, Belgrade Theatre, Belgrade Square, Coventry, CV1 1GS.

For more information, contact Leon Phillips on lphillips@belgrade.co.uk or visit http://www.belgrade.co.uk/site/scripts/module.php?webSubSectionID=86

Be Discovered 2011 is a campaign to find previously undiscovered writing talent from West London for the stage.

This year ANGLE will be working in partnership with the Bush Theatre, launching its latest campaign across six boroughs in West London to find raw and distinctive voices that will breathe new life into the theatre.

ANGLE will build on its successful legacy of unearthing and producing raw new talent and is inviting first-time writers from West London to submit their plays to Be Discovered 2011. 

The plays will be read and shortlisted and the final chosen plays will be presented at the Bush Theatre in their Autumn/Winter season.

They are looking for people who have never had a play performed or published. They are seeking first time playwrights from any background: from young people over the age of 18 to pensioners to writers whose first language is not English.

For more information, visit http://www.angletheatre.co.uk/discovered.html

This is the 5th annual competition and in each category the 1st prize winner receives £200, the 2nd prize winner £50 and the 3rd prize winner a £15 Book Token.

One Act Plays may be on any subject or theme and must be type written, double spaced and on one side of the page only, including a cast of no more than four characters. Good presentation and a list of characters and any other relevant information must be included. Submissions must be 20 minutes maximum.

Open One Act Playwriting Category: £6 for the first play and then £5.50 for each and every other play after that.

Please send all of your competition entries to:

Tommy McBride (Group Secretary)
The University of Liverpool Creative Writing Society for Lifelong Learning
50 Onslow Road
Elm Park
Liverpool
Merseyside
L6 3BB
United Kingdom

E-mail: thomas.mcbride2@sky.com

Telephone Enquiries: 0151 2916942

This July, the University of New Orleans MFA in Creative Writing will be running its summer programme in Edinburgh, with over a hundred students, faculty and special guests.

The programme features intensive workshops in fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting, playwriting and poetry, together with manuscript consultations, open readings, events and excursions.

The programme runs from 2nd-29th July and applications are now open to a limited
number of graduate-level writers from the UK, with discounts offered for individual
components of the course.

Further details are available at http://lowres.uno.edu

To discuss participation in the programme, email Bill Lavender at bill.lavender@uno.edu

The Edinburgh Workshops are hosted by the Creative Writing MA at Edinburgh
Napier University. For further information on the MA, please contact Sam Kelly at s.kelly@napier.ac.uk

This contest is in its Ninth Year and is now accepting scripts.

New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest accepts and encourages exciting new works that: 

1) Enhance self-realisation 
2) Support peace and social justice 
3) Foster new understanding of minority issues that focus on racial, ethnic and gender discrimination both in the United States and abroad 
4) Empower youth to build healthy inner foundations 
5) Educate to gain further insight into healthy social/emotional living 
6) Shed new light on religious, spiritual, and cultural differences and issues 
7) Build respect for cultural expression and identity in a world that is experiencing rapid globalisation 
8) Explore the widening gap between the values this country was founded on and the values we present to the world today 

For guidelines and to apply, visit
http://www.newworksofmeritplaywritingcontest.com/

Soho’s intensive weekend writing workshop returns in August, open to playwrights of all levels of experience. An inspiring weekend workshop designed to offer fresh perspectives on your work and to help generate new ideas.  The two days will offer 1-on-1 feedback sessions; a vast range of exercises oriented towards starting and completing a full-length play; and plenty of discussion and debate.

Visit http://www.sohotheatre.com/pl2148.html for more information.

The conferences are open to performers, performing arts educators and teachers from all over the world representing various art genres, techniques and forms - theatre, dance, music, circus, visual and multimedia art, interested in the research of topical questions and processes in contemporary performing arts education and training. 

You are welcome to take part in the conference as a Speaker, Presenter, Participant or Observer. The conferences are accepting presentation proposals. Presentation formats are as follows: practical workshop/master class; work in progress; performance fragment not requiring special technical conditions; reading/lecture; other ways of demonstration offered by Speaker/Presenter can be considered.

For more details or to apply, visit

August event: http://www.iugte.com/projects/conf-aug

December event:  http://www.iugte.com/projects/conf-dec

Now in its second year, the International Playwriting Competition continues to inspire creative writing for aspiring playwrights throughout the world.

Write a one act play for either audiences of 12-16 years old, or performers of 11 and under. Why not test your creative writing, and see what weird and wonderful stories you can think up? Winners receive a cash prize of £1,000 and see their own play performed in front of a live London theatre audience. Better yet, Trinity College London will publish your play and distribute internationally.

Find out more at http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/playwriting

IdeasTap, the online arts and funding organisation, has teamed up with Sky Arts to launch a new bursary for young artists. The Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund will offer five young artists £30,000 each to fund their work for a full year. The fund is open to artists aged 18-30 living in the UK and Ireland, and is designed to bridge the gap between formal education and becoming a working artist.

The Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund is open to individual artists working in visual art, theatre, performance art, film, music, dance or literature. The scheme will also provide each artist with a mentor from Sky, who will help develop their skills and knowledge in the arts and commercial sector. The artists will also have the opportunity to showcase their work on Sky Arts – be it on TV, online or on demand.

The deadline for applicants is 19 September 2011. Two winners will be selected during this round of funding. The next round will open in early 2012 from which three further winners will be chosen.

For more information, and to apply for the Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund, please visit www.ideastap.com/skyartsfuturesfund

The aim of Next Best Page is to produce a highly collaborative and innovative piece of theatre by uniting 52 voices to tell one story over 2011.

The award winning playwright James Graham has written the opening to the play 'Power Lines'. Each week throughout 2011, you can send in your Next Best Page. At the end of each week, the team will read all the pages they receive and decide which page will join The Script. Then the process will begin again, and again and again until the end of 2011.

Each writer will take their inspiration from the previous pages and be the inspiration for the next page. The Play will then be staged in 2012 at venues to be confirmed.

To find out more, visit http://www.nextbestpage.co.uk/home

PitchCentral is a membership-based platform for theatre professionals offering a combination of free/premium content.

How does PitchCentral work?

PitchCentral works in a number of different ways depending on what you are looking for.

For playwrights, it’s about using the platform to pitch your script to producers and theatre companies.

For producers and theatre companies, it’s not only about being aware of new writing looking for production, its about knowing which festivals are looking for product and when; it’s an opportunity to buy or sell production licenses or franchises; to access an up-to-date, comprehensive venue database designed to making tour organization easier.

In short, PitchCentral wants to help you maximise your return on your cultural investment and building your brand by providing the resources that you need to achieve this, at your fingertips.

Visit http://www.pitchcentral.com/ for more information.

Staging the Nation - The Cheviot, The Stag and the Black, Black Oil
National Theatre of Scotland
Location: Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Date: 19 June 2011, 7.30pm

The National Theatre of Scotland presents the latest of their Staging the Nation Events – a rehearsed reading of John McGrath’s landmark work The Cheviot, The Stag, and the Black, Black Oil. Hosted by Graham McLaren, this event will take place at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow, on Sunday 19th June, 7.30pm.

The reading is directed by Robbie Jack and the cast includes: Susannah Armtitage, Ailsa Courtney, Callum Cuthbertson, Annie Grace , Barrie Hunter, Robbie Jack, John Kielty and Harry Ward.

John McGrath was the Artistic Director of 7:84 Theatre Company in the 1970s.The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil was first performed in 1973 and toured Scotland to great critical and audience acclaim. This musical drama tells the story of economic change in the Scottish Highlands, from the Highland Clearances in the early 19th century through to the oil boom of the 1970s.

Following the read-through there will be a short interval and then a question and answer session with the cast, Robbie Jack, Graham McLaren and original cast member David Maclennan, to discuss the importance and significance of the play.

Tickets for this event are free and are available in advance from the Tron Theatre box office. Tickets can be booked in person or by calling 0141 5524267. Any remaining tickets will be available on the door on the night an hour before the event.

www.stagingthenation.com

In the award-winning A Wholly Healthy Glasgow, smooth operator Charley Hood and seedy masseur Donald Dick's scams at the Spartan Health Club are jeopardised by the arrival of an idealistic new instructor who aims for a wholly healthy Glasgow. "The funniest play I have seen for months" (Times).

Led by Mike Cullen.

The event is unticketed and free, but arrive early to guarantee a place.

Events for the coming months:
July - Britannia Rules by Liz Lochhead led by Nicola McCartney
August - (no reading)
September - The Evildoers by Chris Hannan led by Steven Leach

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199714520064037

The Investment Surgeries are an opportunity for you to meet Creative Scotland staff who will be able to give you face to face tailored assistance with your inquiries about their Investment Programmes. They will be held around the country and will be scheduled regularly.

Two surgeries are currently planned with more to be confirmed. 

Thursday 7 July 2011
9.30 – 10.30am
An Lanntair Arts Centre
Kenneth Street
Stornoway,
HS1 2DS 

Thursday 28 July
12 – 1pm
Dundee Contemporary Arts,
152 Nethergate,
Dundee,
DD1 4DY

To register and for more information, visit http://www.creativescotland.com/investment/investment-overview/open-line-surgeries

The Whithorn Creative Writer’s Retreat offers a unique opportunity to explore and develop your skills. Here you’ll be encouraged, challenged and supported in expressing your own unique ‘voice’ in writing, whether poetry or prose. The retreat involves two writers in residence plus a visiting songwriter and the course will be supported by Carolyn Yates, DGArts Literature Development Officer.

The course includes daily group workshops, one-to-one tutorials and ‘looking ahead to the next steps’ for participants. You will have a chance to read, hear the tutors read and meet local authors. Evening activities include the opportunity to meet local writers, artists, musicians , experience ‘dark skies’ with visit to the Galloway Astronomy Centre and on the final evening, celebrate a successful end to the retreat with a Ceilidh.

For a booking form email enquiries@whithorn.com and for information visit www.whithorn.com

Encounters are special panel events offered during the Edinburgh Festival Season in which the public are invited to hear leading playwrights and practitioners in themed discussion, and to respond with questions to the panel.   

Encounter ONE, Playwrights Encounter, 8 August

Key playwrights David Greig (The Monster in the Hall & The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart), Zinnie Harris (The Wheel), David Harrower (A Slow Air), Mark Ravenhill (Ten Plagues), and Lynda Radley (Futureproof) come together in conversation with renowned arts journalist Joyce McMillan (The Scotsman) to talk about their work and inspirations.

Encounter TWO, Theatre Uncut, 22 August

Leading actors in 'scratch' performances of eight short plays written in immediate response to the recent spending cuts - by playwrights Clara Brennan, David Greig, Dennis Kelly, Lucy Kirkwood, Laura Lomas, Anders Lustgarten, Mark Ravenhill and Jack Thorne.

Book tickets at http://www.traverse.co.uk/writing/encounters/

Informal and sociable afternoon play-reading sessions at the Citizens Theatre, for the young at heart and mature in years.

These sessions are all about giving voice to the characters from the comfort of your seat, talking about the story and sharing your opinion of it.

This season the reading will be from the epic ‘Our Country’s Good’ by Timberlake Wertenbaker.  Set in 1789, a young lieutenant is directing the first play ever to be staged in Australia – with only two copies of the text, a cast of convicts and a leading lady who may be about to be hanged.  Winner of the Laurence Olivier Play of the Year Award 1988, it premiered at the Royal Court in London in 1988 and opened on Broadway in 1991.

The play does not need to be read in advance –find out what happens as the group reads together each week.

The group meets weekly for four sessions on Wednesdays from 2-4pm. 

For booking information, visit http://citz.co.uk/whatson/info/off_the_page/

Scenes @ Beanscene is an hour long show consisting of 4 -5 different stand - alone comedy duet scenes (not sketches). 

Each original scene lasts 10 -15 minutes each and follows a certain theme.  

There will be a new theme each month. To help stick to the theme (and for fun) each author must quote the theme at least once within the dialogue. 

Find out more by visiting www.moretheatre.com

Writing for Screen

Opportunities and events for screenwriters can now be found through a direct link to The Writers’ Factory monthly e-bulletin.

The Writers Factory is invested in by Creative Scotland and is coordinated by the Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland. For more information about The Writers' Factory, please visit the website www.writersfactory.co.uk

The monthly bulletins contain information about future Writers' Factory courses as well as information relevant to screen writers across the UK and internationally. The Writers' Factory E-Bulletin is divided into three sections:

Factory News: For upcoming Writers' Factory events

Opportunities: Screen writing competitions and other opportunities

Events: Screen writing events and classes

To view the full e-bulletin, please click here

Classic Cuts Season: Wind in the Pines by Paddy Cunneen
A Play, A Pie, and A Pint @ Oran Mor, Glasgow
Mon 13 - Sat 18 June 2011
Click here

The Garden by Alistair Rutherford
Peapod Productions @ The Secret Garden, Leith Festival, Edinburgh
Wed 15 - Sun 19 June 2011
Click here

Page to Stage by Tron Studio
Tron Studio @ Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Thurs 16 - Sat 18 June 2011
Click here

Classic Cuts Season: A Midsummer's Night Dream adapted by Andy Gray
A Play, A Pie, and A Pint @ Oran Mor, Glasgow
Mon 20 - Sat 25 June 2011
Click here

Henry and Ingrid: Some Words For Home by Oliver Emanuel
Refugee Week @ Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Tues 21 June 2011
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A Conversation With Carmel by Barrowland Ballet
Barrowland Ballet @ Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Wed 22 June 2011
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Classic Cuts Season: Don Giovanni adapted by Mary McCluskey
A Play, A Pie, and A Pint @ Oran Mor, Glasgow
Mon 27 June - Sat 2 July 2011
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The Visitors: A Wholly Healthy Glasgow by Iain Heggie
The Visitors @ The Old Hairdressers, Glasgow
Wed 29 June 2011
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Goldilocks and the Glasgow Fair by David MacLennan and Dave Anderson
A Play, A Pie, and A Pint @ Oran Mor, Glasgow
Mon 4 - Sat 23 July 2011
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Knives in Hens by David Harrower
National Theatre Scotland @ Tramway, Glasgow (and touring)
Tues 5 - Sat 9 July 2011
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Untitled Love Story by David Leddy
Fire Exit @ Tramway, Glasgow (and touring)
Thurs 28 - Sat 30 July 2011
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The Playwrights Network

The Playwrights Network links regional organisations which work to develop playwrights (and sometimes writers working in other media too) across the UK.
Click here to find an organisation in your area.

The Scottish Society of Playwrights (SSP)

A professional members' organisation that represents, develops and promotes the interests and craft of professional Scottish playwrights working within the theatre sector. To become a member or for more information about the Society, please see their website www.scottishsocietyofplaywrights.co.uk
or email scottishsocietyofplaywrights@gmail.com

Note: Could any member who has recently changed address or contact details please send in their most up to date information?  Thank you.