Red Stitch Writers is a new writer-in-residence programme at Red Stitch. Since 2004 Red Stitch has been actively pursuing script development projects within the company. In 2007, Red Stitch Writers, was officially launched and a dramaturge, Sam Strong, was a appointed to manage the selection and development of new plays and playwrights with members of the Red Stitch ensemble.

Playwrights whose work demonstrates potential are invited to join the company for 12-24 months to develop particular projects with actors from the Red Stitch ensemble and the resident dramaturg with the aim of producing new original works for the main stage theatre season; incorporating script workshops, invited readings and feedback sessions.

Late in each year, two playwrights are selected to join the company as writers-in-residence and embark on a particular project development or the creation of a new work. Production is not guaranteed and new works will only be included in the regular season if they are considered by the company to be ready for the stage after an extended development period.

We are looking for talented new writers who are interested in contemporary drama and a truly collaborative script development process, willing to incorporate ideas from actors, dramaturg and other ensemble members into the work.

Playwrights who have work developed and subsequently selected for inclusion in the Red Stitch season will be paid a negotiated rights agreement for exclusive Australian rights to the production for a limited period in addition to a share of any development money that may be available to the company via the workshop process.

Red Stitch Writers receives funding support from the Sidney Myer Fund and the City of Port Phillip through the Cultural Development Fund.

The first play to be developed through the program, Tom Holloway's Red Sky Morning, was developed with assistance from the Australia Council, The JE Ross Trust and Arts Victoria. After successful seasons at Red Stitch and the Fairfax Theatre, Arts Centre, as part of the 2009 Full Tilt season, Red Sky Morning will tour nationally in 2010.

Gary Abrahams and Petra Kalive join the company in 2010 as company dramaturges while Sam Strong is on leave. Playwrights Kylie Trounson and Dina Ross join the company as writers-in-residence. The second play developed through the Red Stitch Writers programme, Melissa Bubnic's Stop.Rewind, will premiere at Red Stitch later this year.

Submitting scripts

As we are a not-for-profit organisation we do not have the resources to read and report on every script that is posted or emailed to us. However, if you would like to submit a script or scripts for assessment, you may pay a small fee ($75) for a report by the current Red Stitch dramaturge. This fee is used to pay the dramaturge for their time in reading scripts and preparing an informed report on behalf of the Red Stitch company.

Submission fees may be paid using the form below. Once we have received your payment you will be able to submit your script electronically (indicate on this form that you will be submitting it by email). One fee is payable for each discrete script so we advise against short plays unless they are part of a collection comprising one 60 - 120 minute production.

Scripts sent to Red Stitch without payment cannot be read.

Assessment Form - PDF

Assessment Form - Word version