For a potential director, proposing a play at the New Theatre of course presents challenges, but you’re also free to propose a play for your love of it alone. With no university oversight, innovation and new writing are encouraged. From physical theatre, to in-the -round theatre, to theatre of the absurd and site specific plays, the New Theatre has encouraged and financed it all.

1. Decide on the play you want to put on. The choice of play is totally up to you. It can be something you studied at school, a play that you’ve seen or read and loved, or a piece of original work by yourself or a friend of yours. While choosing your play it is important to consider the logistics of putting it on – one thing to consider, for example, is the number of male and female roles in your cast; about three times as many female students audition than male!
2. You have to make sure that you can obtain the rights to put on your play in the New Theatre. The company you would have to call to enquire about rights is usually listed on the inside cover of your script.
3. It might sound obvious but you will need a director AND a producer to put on a play. If you cannot find another person to pair up with, don’t worry: the Committee will be able to find you someone after the proposals meeting.
4. At the proposal meeting you will be asked to give a five minute presentation about your play including: a brief synopsis, reasons why your play would stand out from others, how you would overcome any obvious staging/lighting/casting difficulties and what you would require as your budget.

After the presentation there will be a brief questions and answer session.

We realise this sounds like a lot to do in such a short space of time. Obviously we can be flexible if your decision to put on a play is last minute. And it’s definitely worth it. Read more here <newcolumn>

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