FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5PM, 1st FEBRUARY 2018
PLEASE read the guidelines and FAQs carefully. If you have a query that has not been answered in either of these two documents, please email [email protected] with ‘APFI Query’ in the subject line before Monday 23 January 2018.
These FAQs will be updated regularly.
PLEASE read the guidelines and FAQs carefully. If you have a query that has not been answered in either of these two documents, please email [email protected] with ‘APFI Query’ in the subject line before Monday 23 January 2018.
These FAQs will be updated regularly.
About A PLAY FOR IRELAND
Q: What is A PLAY FOR IRELAND?
A PLAY FOR IRELAND is a new play development initiative wherein Fishamble will partner with six venues around the country for a year-long development programme for 30 writers (five playwrights per venue) to mark its 30th birthday.
In Year 1 (2018) 30 writers will develop their ideas with industry professionals, with sessions primarily at their preferred partner venue. At the start of Year 2 (2019) one play will be chosen from each venue for further development and will be presented at their venue as a staged reading. Then, one final play will be chosen from the six finalists for full commission and nationwide tour to each of the partner venues.
Q: What venues are involved?
Q. Do I have to apply for the theatre nearest to me?
No, you can apply to any of the six partner venues as long as you can attend monthly meetings on a Saturday or Sunday there in May, June, September and October, 2018.
Q. Where are the Development Sessions of A PLAY FOR IRELAND held?
The first and final meetings will be held in the Fishamble office in Dublin with five playwrights from each venue, or 30 playwrights in total. Other meetings and workshops will be held at the venues to which each playwright is affiliated.
Q: Who will make the initial and final selection?
Phase 1: Fishamble and each of the partner venues will make the selection of five playwrights for each venue.
Phase 2: Fishamble and partner venue staff will select the final six plays.
Phase 3: Fishamble, partner venue staff, and an independent judge will select the final play.
Q. Is there a prize for the selected plays?
The playwrights of the 30 chosen plays (5 per venue) will receive ongoing development support from Fishamble and other leading industry professionals during 2018. The six final playwrights will receive a financial option on their script, ahead of the reading series in spring 2019. The final chosen script will receive a full commission and national tour of partner venues.
Q. Who owns the rights to the finished plays?
Fishamble will purchase an option to produce each of the final six plays in spring 2019. If Fishamble doesn’t proceed with a full commission by spring 2020, the rights revert to the playwright. For the plays which are not chosen in the final six, all rights belong to the playwrights.
Q. Will I get paid to participate?
No. Only the final 6 playwrights will receive a monetary option for their final draft. The value of the development support is estimated at over €20,000.
Q. Will being involved with A PLAY FOR IRELAND cost me money?
No. It is free to submit an application. Chosen playwrights will need to arrange transport to and from venues for 6 meetings in 2018. There are no other costs associated with the project. All chosen playwrights avail of the year long mentorship programme free-of-charge.
Timeline
What is the timeline for A PLAY FOR IRELAND?
Phase 1:
Q. When will the chosen 30 plays be announced for Phase 1?
The 30 selected playwrights will be announced on Tuesday 3rd April 2018.
Q. Where will the plays be put on?
The final six plays will have readings presented in their home theatre in Spring 2019 before the final play is chosen. The final play will be performed in all six theatres in Autumn 2019.
Q. Who casts the actors for the reading series and final production?
As producer, Fishamble reserves all rights to cast and produce the play.
Q. Who directs the plays in the reading series and final production?
As producer, Fishamble reserves all rights to select directors, designers, cast, and all personnel for readings and final productions during A PLAY FOR IRELAND.
Who Can Apply?
Q. How old do I have to be to apply?
Applicants must be over 18 years of age at the time of application. There is no upper age limit.
Q. Do I have to be a professional writer to apply?
No, we are seeking submissions from writers at all levels of experience.
Q: I am a professionally produced playwright – can I apply?
Yes, provided you have not previously had a full length play commissioned AND produced by Fishamble. Playwrights involved in Tiny Plays for Ireland (2012 and 2013), Whereabouts (2006) and Shorts (2003) are eligible to apply.
Q: I have taken part in Show In A Bag and/or the New Play Clinic - can I apply?
Yes, provided you have not previously had a full length play commissioned AND produced by Fishamble, you are eligible to apply.
Q: I am a novelist - can I apply?
Yes. Please note that the sample of work uploaded MUST be from a theatrical playscript of your work. Prose, poetry, short stories, or excerpts from novels will not be accepted as an appropriate sample.
Q. I am a writer with a disability - can I apply?
Of course. Please let us know if you will need any special assistance during the process.
Q. I am living in Direct Provision accommodation - can I apply?
Yes, you can. Please note, applications, treatments, and sample of writing must be submitted in Irish or English language.
Q. Is A PLAY FOR IRELAND only for Irish writers?
No. A PLAY FOR IRELAND is for Irish citizens and non-Irish citizens living on the island of Ireland or those who will be based here in 2018 and 2019.
Irish citizens who are not living or based in Ireland can also apply.
Please note: all chosen playwrights must be available to attend monthly meetings in Ireland (at their preferred venue).
Q. If I don’t live in a county with one of the six assigned theatres can I still apply?
Yes, but you will need to be able to travel to the theatre.
Q. Can you co-write a play?
Yes, but group projects are not allowed. A maximum of two playwrights can be involved on any one submission.
Q. Can I apply under a pseudonym?
Yes. However, if an applicant is short-listed for the process under two different names, only one application will be accepted.
Q. Can I withdraw my application?
Yes. After applications close on 1st February 2018, you can email Fishamble to ask that one (or both, if applicable) of your submissions are withdrawn from consideration. Please think carefully about which projects you wish to submit.
Q. How many times can I enter?
You can submit up to two applications. Any additional applications will not be considered, so please think carefully about what projects you would like to submit if you have more than one. In the event of two projects by one writer being shortlisted, only one application will be selected.
Q. Does a co-written piece count as one of the two pieces?
Yes. In the event that an applicant is selected for Phase 1 with an individual piece and a co-written piece, only one application will be selected.
Q: Can I submit a play or idea in a foreign language?
All applications and ideas must be submitted in either English or Irish. Applications or ideas submitted in any other languages will not be considered.
Submitting Your Idea
Q. When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 5pm on Thursday the 1st February, 2018.
Q. How do I submit an idea for A PLAY FOR IRELAND?
Q: How do I send my Work Sample?
Please separately EMAIL your writing sample to [email protected] with YOUR NAME in the subject line.
Please only email ONE sample of writing per application. This can include brief context, if required. This should be a maximum of 1000 words in total. Note: only playscripts will be accepted. Poetry, prose, short stories, etc, will not be accepted. Preferred format: 12pt, Times New Roman, 1.5 spacing, with your name saved as the file name.
[email protected] is NOT an email address for queries. Any questions can be directed to [email protected] with APFI QUERIES in the subject line.
Q: I have an idea that I’m co-writing with another writer. Can we submit together?
Yes, each project can have up to two playwrights attached. Three or more playwrights cannot submit an idea together.
Q. What should the play be about?
Fishamble is looking for an ambitious play, that bursts with humanity and tackles an issue about which the playwright feels passionate. We are looking for A PLAY FOR IRELAND that captures the zeitgeist of the country.
Q. Can I submit an idea for a musical?
Yes, we are open to all types and genres of play that you feel will best capture what you want to say about contemporary Ireland.
Q. I have written a draft of a play already - can I submit this?
Please do not submit a full length play. At the moment, Fishamble is looking for an idea for a play, in 300 words. The playwrights will be chosen to take part based on the idea submitted and the chosen ideas will be developed into full plays over the course of 2018.
Q. I submitted a play to Fishamble previously. Can I use this as my application?
Fishamble discovers and develops plays in a range of ways. We continue to accept unsolicited scripts, but proposals for A PLAY FOR IRELAND will only be accepted through our online process. Please see Q above regarding already written drafts.
Q: What do I need to do to apply:
You will need to do the following:
Q: What is a treatment?
For A PLAY FOR IRELAND, a treatment is a 300-word description of your idea. You should outline plot, characters, setting, context, and your process, if applicable. Your treatment should give us the strongest, clearest idea of what you are planning to work on through 2018.
Q: What kind of work sample do you need?
The sample of work uploaded MUST be from a theatre playscript of your work. Prose, poetry, short stories, or excerpts from novels will not be accepted as an appropriate sample.
Q: I have never written a play before – what should I upload for my work sample?
In this case, please upload 1,000 words maximum of dialogue based on your idea.
Q. Can I include context to the treatment and work sample I submit?
Yes, however this will go towards your word-count.
Q: Do I need to adhere to the word-count?
We have set a maximum amount in certain questions, and these are clearly indicated. Please check your word-count at https://wordcounter.net to ensure you don’t exceed the word count for any particular section. A buffer of 10% will be allowed, ie your 300-word treatment can be up to 330 words. Anything exceeding the word-count will not be considered.
Q. Is there a limit to how many characters the play can have?
Yes, the play must be written for between 4-6 performers.
Q. Does it have to be an original play?
It is preferable that you apply with an original idea. We will accept ideas of adaptations from other source material. Please indicate in your treatment if this is an original idea or adaptation from other material.
Q. Does it have to be a brand new idea?
No, it can be a play that you have written before but it cannot have been produced or workshopped previously. Successful applicants should be enthusiastic about taking part in the discussion and development phase of their work throughout 2018 – a completely finished play may not be the most suitable to engage in this process.
REMEMBER: PLEASE read the guidelines and FAQs carefully. If you have a query that has not been answered in either of these two documents, please email [email protected] with ‘APFI Query’ in the subject line before Monday 23 January 2018.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5PM, 1ST FEBRUARY 2018
Q: What is A PLAY FOR IRELAND?
A PLAY FOR IRELAND is a new play development initiative wherein Fishamble will partner with six venues around the country for a year-long development programme for 30 writers (five playwrights per venue) to mark its 30th birthday.
In Year 1 (2018) 30 writers will develop their ideas with industry professionals, with sessions primarily at their preferred partner venue. At the start of Year 2 (2019) one play will be chosen from each venue for further development and will be presented at their venue as a staged reading. Then, one final play will be chosen from the six finalists for full commission and nationwide tour to each of the partner venues.
Q: What venues are involved?
- Lime Tree Theatre/Belltable, Limerick
- Draíocht, Blanchardstown
- The Everyman, Cork
- Lyric Theatre, Belfast
- Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire
- Town Hall Theatre, Galway
Q. Do I have to apply for the theatre nearest to me?
No, you can apply to any of the six partner venues as long as you can attend monthly meetings on a Saturday or Sunday there in May, June, September and October, 2018.
Q. Where are the Development Sessions of A PLAY FOR IRELAND held?
The first and final meetings will be held in the Fishamble office in Dublin with five playwrights from each venue, or 30 playwrights in total. Other meetings and workshops will be held at the venues to which each playwright is affiliated.
Q: Who will make the initial and final selection?
Phase 1: Fishamble and each of the partner venues will make the selection of five playwrights for each venue.
Phase 2: Fishamble and partner venue staff will select the final six plays.
Phase 3: Fishamble, partner venue staff, and an independent judge will select the final play.
Q. Is there a prize for the selected plays?
The playwrights of the 30 chosen plays (5 per venue) will receive ongoing development support from Fishamble and other leading industry professionals during 2018. The six final playwrights will receive a financial option on their script, ahead of the reading series in spring 2019. The final chosen script will receive a full commission and national tour of partner venues.
Q. Who owns the rights to the finished plays?
Fishamble will purchase an option to produce each of the final six plays in spring 2019. If Fishamble doesn’t proceed with a full commission by spring 2020, the rights revert to the playwright. For the plays which are not chosen in the final six, all rights belong to the playwrights.
Q. Will I get paid to participate?
No. Only the final 6 playwrights will receive a monetary option for their final draft. The value of the development support is estimated at over €20,000.
Q. Will being involved with A PLAY FOR IRELAND cost me money?
No. It is free to submit an application. Chosen playwrights will need to arrange transport to and from venues for 6 meetings in 2018. There are no other costs associated with the project. All chosen playwrights avail of the year long mentorship programme free-of-charge.
Timeline
What is the timeline for A PLAY FOR IRELAND?
Phase 1:
- 4 Dec 2017: A PLAY FOR IRELAND is announced
- 6 Dec 2017: Applications open
- 1 Feb 2018: Applications close at 5pm
- 3 April 2018: 30 chosen playwrights announced
- Saturday 28 April 2018: Programme Meeting 1 – Dublin
- 1 x Saturday/Sunday in May – Programme Meeting 2 – Venues
- 1 x Saturday/Sunday in June – Programme Meeting 3 – Venues
- 1 x Saturday/Sunday in September – Programme Meeting 4 – Venues
- 1 x Saturday/Sunday in October – Programme Meeting 5 – Venues
- November 10th/17th– Individual Meetings – Dublin
- Friday 14th December – Submit final plays – end of Phase 1.
- Feb 2019 – One play chosen from each venue based on plays submitted in Dec 2018.
- March / April 2019 – Rehearsed reading of each of the final plays at their partner venue
- April/May 2019: Selection and commission of final play: A PLAY FOR IRELAND for presentation and tour in autumn 2019.
Q. When will the chosen 30 plays be announced for Phase 1?
The 30 selected playwrights will be announced on Tuesday 3rd April 2018.
Q. Where will the plays be put on?
The final six plays will have readings presented in their home theatre in Spring 2019 before the final play is chosen. The final play will be performed in all six theatres in Autumn 2019.
Q. Who casts the actors for the reading series and final production?
As producer, Fishamble reserves all rights to cast and produce the play.
Q. Who directs the plays in the reading series and final production?
As producer, Fishamble reserves all rights to select directors, designers, cast, and all personnel for readings and final productions during A PLAY FOR IRELAND.
Who Can Apply?
Q. How old do I have to be to apply?
Applicants must be over 18 years of age at the time of application. There is no upper age limit.
Q. Do I have to be a professional writer to apply?
No, we are seeking submissions from writers at all levels of experience.
Q: I am a professionally produced playwright – can I apply?
Yes, provided you have not previously had a full length play commissioned AND produced by Fishamble. Playwrights involved in Tiny Plays for Ireland (2012 and 2013), Whereabouts (2006) and Shorts (2003) are eligible to apply.
Q: I have taken part in Show In A Bag and/or the New Play Clinic - can I apply?
Yes, provided you have not previously had a full length play commissioned AND produced by Fishamble, you are eligible to apply.
Q: I am a novelist - can I apply?
Yes. Please note that the sample of work uploaded MUST be from a theatrical playscript of your work. Prose, poetry, short stories, or excerpts from novels will not be accepted as an appropriate sample.
Q. I am a writer with a disability - can I apply?
Of course. Please let us know if you will need any special assistance during the process.
Q. I am living in Direct Provision accommodation - can I apply?
Yes, you can. Please note, applications, treatments, and sample of writing must be submitted in Irish or English language.
Q. Is A PLAY FOR IRELAND only for Irish writers?
No. A PLAY FOR IRELAND is for Irish citizens and non-Irish citizens living on the island of Ireland or those who will be based here in 2018 and 2019.
Irish citizens who are not living or based in Ireland can also apply.
Please note: all chosen playwrights must be available to attend monthly meetings in Ireland (at their preferred venue).
Q. If I don’t live in a county with one of the six assigned theatres can I still apply?
Yes, but you will need to be able to travel to the theatre.
Q. Can you co-write a play?
Yes, but group projects are not allowed. A maximum of two playwrights can be involved on any one submission.
Q. Can I apply under a pseudonym?
Yes. However, if an applicant is short-listed for the process under two different names, only one application will be accepted.
Q. Can I withdraw my application?
Yes. After applications close on 1st February 2018, you can email Fishamble to ask that one (or both, if applicable) of your submissions are withdrawn from consideration. Please think carefully about which projects you wish to submit.
Q. How many times can I enter?
You can submit up to two applications. Any additional applications will not be considered, so please think carefully about what projects you would like to submit if you have more than one. In the event of two projects by one writer being shortlisted, only one application will be selected.
Q. Does a co-written piece count as one of the two pieces?
Yes. In the event that an applicant is selected for Phase 1 with an individual piece and a co-written piece, only one application will be selected.
Q: Can I submit a play or idea in a foreign language?
All applications and ideas must be submitted in either English or Irish. Applications or ideas submitted in any other languages will not be considered.
Submitting Your Idea
Q. When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 5pm on Thursday the 1st February, 2018.
Q. How do I submit an idea for A PLAY FOR IRELAND?
- Please read the FAQ, guidelines and PDF version of the form carefully before starting your online application.
- Applications are made online only through an online form which can be accessed HERE, and you must separately EMAIL your Work Sample to [email protected] with your name in the subject line.
- Application FORMS submitted by hard copy, post, or email will NOT be accepted. Please only email your WORK SAMPLE to [email protected].
- Please note, you can only submit a maximum of two ideas to the programme, so plan carefully which idea is your best.
- You DO NOT have to submit two ideas. We recommend taking time to consider your best idea for A PLAY FOR IRELAND and submitting that one, as opposed to rushing two weaker ideas.
Q: How do I send my Work Sample?
Please separately EMAIL your writing sample to [email protected] with YOUR NAME in the subject line.
Please only email ONE sample of writing per application. This can include brief context, if required. This should be a maximum of 1000 words in total. Note: only playscripts will be accepted. Poetry, prose, short stories, etc, will not be accepted. Preferred format: 12pt, Times New Roman, 1.5 spacing, with your name saved as the file name.
[email protected] is NOT an email address for queries. Any questions can be directed to [email protected] with APFI QUERIES in the subject line.
Q: I have an idea that I’m co-writing with another writer. Can we submit together?
Yes, each project can have up to two playwrights attached. Three or more playwrights cannot submit an idea together.
Q. What should the play be about?
Fishamble is looking for an ambitious play, that bursts with humanity and tackles an issue about which the playwright feels passionate. We are looking for A PLAY FOR IRELAND that captures the zeitgeist of the country.
Q. Can I submit an idea for a musical?
Yes, we are open to all types and genres of play that you feel will best capture what you want to say about contemporary Ireland.
Q. I have written a draft of a play already - can I submit this?
Please do not submit a full length play. At the moment, Fishamble is looking for an idea for a play, in 300 words. The playwrights will be chosen to take part based on the idea submitted and the chosen ideas will be developed into full plays over the course of 2018.
Q. I submitted a play to Fishamble previously. Can I use this as my application?
Fishamble discovers and develops plays in a range of ways. We continue to accept unsolicited scripts, but proposals for A PLAY FOR IRELAND will only be accepted through our online process. Please see Q above regarding already written drafts.
Q: What do I need to do to apply:
You will need to do the following:
- Read the FAQ and Guidelines carefully
- Click HERE for the google form
- Confirm you meet the eligibility requirements
- Submit contact and demographic information
- Tell us about yourself and your experience with writing to date 200 words?
- Let us know your preferred partner venue
- Confirm availability and attendance during programme sessions in 2018
- Provide a 300-word treatment of your idea
- Tell us why your play needs to be produced, why you feel passionate about it, why it should be chosen 300 words??
- Tell us the cast size (which, we understand, may change)
- Email us a Work Sample at [email protected] with your name in the subject line. This must be a 1000-word sample of your PLAYWRITING (not prose or poetry) as a writing sample. This must be a PDF or DOC format.
- Confirm the language of your submission, English, Irish, or both.
- Check your word-count does not exceed the stated limits at https://wordcounter.net . Rewrite sections if necessary.
- Double check your information, especially email and phone number, and submit.
Q: What is a treatment?
For A PLAY FOR IRELAND, a treatment is a 300-word description of your idea. You should outline plot, characters, setting, context, and your process, if applicable. Your treatment should give us the strongest, clearest idea of what you are planning to work on through 2018.
Q: What kind of work sample do you need?
The sample of work uploaded MUST be from a theatre playscript of your work. Prose, poetry, short stories, or excerpts from novels will not be accepted as an appropriate sample.
Q: I have never written a play before – what should I upload for my work sample?
In this case, please upload 1,000 words maximum of dialogue based on your idea.
Q. Can I include context to the treatment and work sample I submit?
Yes, however this will go towards your word-count.
Q: Do I need to adhere to the word-count?
We have set a maximum amount in certain questions, and these are clearly indicated. Please check your word-count at https://wordcounter.net to ensure you don’t exceed the word count for any particular section. A buffer of 10% will be allowed, ie your 300-word treatment can be up to 330 words. Anything exceeding the word-count will not be considered.
Q. Is there a limit to how many characters the play can have?
Yes, the play must be written for between 4-6 performers.
Q. Does it have to be an original play?
It is preferable that you apply with an original idea. We will accept ideas of adaptations from other source material. Please indicate in your treatment if this is an original idea or adaptation from other material.
Q. Does it have to be a brand new idea?
No, it can be a play that you have written before but it cannot have been produced or workshopped previously. Successful applicants should be enthusiastic about taking part in the discussion and development phase of their work throughout 2018 – a completely finished play may not be the most suitable to engage in this process.
REMEMBER: PLEASE read the guidelines and FAQs carefully. If you have a query that has not been answered in either of these two documents, please email [email protected] with ‘APFI Query’ in the subject line before Monday 23 January 2018.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5PM, 1ST FEBRUARY 2018
