How to be part of the Feast of New Theatre:

If you are a writer or deviser, your script or play concept can be developed to a new level, and can be shared with theatre practitioners, potential producers and the public.

Here you will find the:

Requirements for submission
Selection panel and process
Resources available to selected projects
Timeline

If you are an actor, director, dramaturg or theatre technician, you can be involved too.

Email us to register your interest:

occasional volunteer actor (readings)
occasional volunteer improviser
mentor/dramaturg (for selected projects)
actor (Feast Week)
director (Feast Week)
technician (Feast Week)

Feast Script Development Process: Requirements for Submission

In order to be selected for the Feast of New Theatre development process, your project MUST be:

a new, original theatre work (planned to be at least 30 minutes long) by South Island writers/devisers. The work may be based on existing stories but must be original in concept and/or treatment.
represented by either a complete script or an outline showing the story, content, characters and an indication of style or treatment.
potentially suitable for some form of public presentation in the Feast Week 7-12 November.
potentially offering involvement and/or employment to local theatre practitioners.
potentially able to be developed for a public performance season.

In addition, preference will be given to projects which:

appeal to a new theatre audience
contain locally based and/or locally relevant stories
offer one or more participants the opportunity to acquire new skills (e.g.: an actor embarking on playwriting).

Please include in your submission:

a Feast of New Theatre submission cover sheet
a script or outline as mentioned above
your own contact details and brief C.V.
any suggestions or requests you want to make about the development process or the mentor who might suit your project.

Panel and Selection Process

All submissions to the Feast will be acknowledged.
Feast director, Elizabeth O'Connor, will read all proposals and make a report on each to the selection panel. This panel will be three Christchurch theatre practitioners.
The panel will read all submissions. Each person or group submitting will be welcome to give a short personal presentation to the panel.
The panel will select 6 projects for the development process.

Development Process Resources

If your project is chosen for development, the following resources will be made available to you:

Funding for a mentor to work with you during the development process.
A list of actors who are willing to be called on for voluntary readings and/or improvisations during the development process.
A contact for student technicians (MAINZ) who are willing to work on a student basis, if you need to explore technical aspects of your script. Their time and resources will be limited by their own course.
Info and costs of possible rehearsal venues for readings and improvisations.
$180 per project to subsidise rehearsal venue costs.
Printing of scripts.
Meeting space.
Assistance with contacting actors, mailing scripts etc.
Advice and support as required.
Monthly meetings - or more often if required - with the Feast Director - to ensure your project is being developed as you wish.