Designed to respond to the decline in new theatre commissions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NPCS will ensure 15 new commissions for playwrights across England in 2022.

The scheme has been generously supported using public funding by Arts Council England, by Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre through the Theatre Development Trust; and has raised over £50,000 in donations from major producers, actors, and writers. Faber has also made a generous donation to the New Play Commission Scheme, and will award an additional £5,000 to the best play by an unpublished writer.

The scheme will provide grants equivalent to the WGGB commissioning minimum for the type of theatre and/or company commissioning the work. Playwrights will be invited to apply in partnership with a venue or producer.

To be eligible for the NPCS, the writer must meet the following criteria:

You must be at least 18 years of age at the date of your submission
You must be resident in, but do not need to have been born in, England
You must not be employed by the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain or be a member of the NPCS steering group, selection panel, or a person otherwise connected to this scheme

To be eligible for the NPCS, the producer must meet the following criteria:

Be registered/located in England
Have a demonstrable track record in producing new theatrical works
Have sufficient financial reserves to guarantee the appropriate writer delivery fee
Applicants do not have to be members of the WGGB to apply and membership status will not be divulged to the selection panel.

For more information about the opportunity and how to apply, click here

Deadline: 12 noon on Friday 24 June 2022