MARTIN-LYSICRATES PRIZE 2021
Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is proud to be partnering once again with The Lysicrates Foundation and Riverside Theatres to present The Martin-Lysicrates Prize 2021.
BACKGROUND:
The Martin-Lysicrates Prize 2021 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 each receive a day’s rehearsal with a professional team of artists and are then performed on stage and via live stream 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 11:59pm Sunday 21 March 2021.
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
All submissions received in 2020 have been 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 $12,000 to complete the play (up to one hour in length) and the two runners-up will receive a cash prize of $1,000 each. The prizes will be determined by a vote cast by the live audience on the day. An additional prize of $3,000 will be awarded to the winner of the popular vote from the live-stream audience. In the event that the audiences are unable to attend Riverside Theatres due to COVID-restrictions, all the prizes will be determined by the live-stream audience vote.
The plays will be professionally filmed and available for view on the Martin-Lysicrates website following the event.
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 will be able to watch videos of each reading from the 2021 Martin Lysicrates Event held at the Riverside Theatres, Parramatta by visiting the MARTIN LYSICRATES WEBSITE after the event.
KEY DATES
Applications open Monday 15 February 2020
Applications close at 11:59pm, Sunday 21 March 2021
The Martin-Lysicrates Prize event 16 June 2021 at Riverside Theatres
