Fireworks – Young Writers Programme

Workshopping scripts with actors

If you are an aspiring stage writer between 16 and 25 you might be interested in taking part in our annual Young Writers Programme: Fireworks

Fireworks takes 4-6 young writers through the process of writing a stage play from idea through rehearsals to a reading in front of an audience. The programme consists of skills workshops, seeing work, reading and analysing plays and writing a 10 minute piece, through several drafts. There will be a development workshop with professional actors before the final draft is written, and the script is then rehearsed and presented. The focus is at all times to prepare the writers for writing for the professional stage.

Application deadline is 5th of May 2011

THE PROGRAMME

SKILL SESSION ONE
Half a day exploring the elements of Theatre and the components of Drama: How we tell stories in a 3 dimensional space; characters, structure, space, time and so on.

WRITING 1st DRAFT
Get your ideas and your story down on paper

SKILL SESSION TWO
Half day workshop looking at how to complete the script through a process of rewriting and individual sessions getting feed back on your script.

WRITING 2nd DRAFT
Taking into consideration all you have learnt and any feedback given, carefully rework your play so it is ready for the actors.

SKILL SESSION WITH ACTORS
A full day using actors working with the scripts on the floor, testing them out and getting feedback from the performers. Learning about what does and does not work in your scripts.

WRITING THE FINAL DRAFT
Your final chance to hone your play having learnt from the actors exploring your text. It is time for the production draft!

REHEARSAL AND SHOWCASE
Professionally produced rehearsed reading for a specially invited audience

HOW TO APPLY

Look at the dates outlined for the year and make sure you can make them.

Your application should include:

- 2 pages of dialogue from a script you have already written. If you have never written a script before please contact hanna.slattne@tinderbox.org.uk for further guidance.

- A letter detailing a bit about yourself, why you are interested in taking part of Fireworks and your writing experience so far.

Please send your application to ‘Fireworks’, Tinderbox Theatre Company, 72 High Street, Belfast BT1 2BE by 5th of May 2011

The programme is free of charge and we will accept 4 or 6 participants this year.

If you have any questions about the programme or how to apply contact Hanna Slattne at hanna.slattne@tinderbox.org.uk

THE THEME

Each year we use a theme as a starting point for our discussions about writing a stage play and for your own ideas. If you are accepted on the programme we will start by discussing the different ways to explore your ideas on the stage in different ways so its best not to pre-empt that discussion by deciding what you might write about beforehand.

The theme for 2011 is INVENTION

THE DATES 2011