2020 MARTIN-LYSICRATES PRIZE
Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is proud to be partnering for the second time with the Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta to present The Martin-Lysicrates Prize.
BACKGROUND:
The Martin-Lysicrates Prize celebrates the best new Australian writing for young people. For more information on the history of the prize and the amazing people who created it (The Lysicrates Foundation) visit their website by CLICKING HERE.
WHO CAN ENTER?
The Martin-Lysicrates Prize recognises great ideas from exceptional playwrights from around the country. The Lysicrates Foundation particularly recommends playwrights who usually write for adult audiences to try their hand at writing for young people!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Playwrights submit the first 10-15 minutes of a new play for young people aged 11-14. The top three plays receive a week’s rehearsal with a professional team of artists and are then performed before an audience of children who will vote for the winning play (adults don’t get to vote!)
The play must be able to be performed by no more than 4 actors (actors can perform multiple roles). Actors can include adults and young people.
Email your application to [email protected] by midnight Monday 29 June 2020.
Applications should be in a single PDF file and include:
- Cover page with play title and contact details (name, email, phone number, address)
- A synopsis (between ½ to 1 page)
- Proposed cast size and character information (max 1/2 page)
- A statement from the writer on the impetus for the work (max 1/2 page)
- The first 10-15 mins of your play for young people aged 11-14
Please note: While we are optimistic the Prize, including the moved readings of the final plays, can take place as planned on 7 September 2020, we await further information regarding the reopening of theatres and schools.
Should the Prize be postponed to 2021, all submissions received this year are automatically transferred to the 2021 competition. Playwrights who submitted in 2020 will be allowed to submit a second entry in 2021.
THE PRIZE
The winning playwright will receive a full commission of $15,000 to complete the play and the two runners-up will receive a cash prize of $2,000 each.
Online audiences can vote on the plays, which will be professionally filmed and available for view on the Martin-Lysicrates website following the event. The winner of the online voting will receive a further cash prize of $2,000.
AFTER THE EVENT
ATYP will work closely with the winner to develop the script from the first draft to completion.
Please note: there is no commitment to produce the completed script.
ONLINE VOTING AND PRIZES
Students can watch videos of each reading from the 2019 Martin Lysicrates Event held at the Riverside Theatres, Parramatta by visiting the MARTIN LYSICRATES WEBSITE.
KEY DATES
Applications open Monday 18 May 2020.
Applications close at midnight, Monday 29 June 2020
The Martin-Lysicrates Prize event 7 September 2020 at Riverside Theatres
