The New Play Clinic is Fishamble’s ongoing initiative to support the dramaturgical development of new plays for production in Ireland.

“We passionately feel that the success [was] in no small way due to our involvement once again in the New Play Clinic…We totally reimagined how we approached this piece as part of the New Play Clinic and this proved vital in how we made the completed piece.”
Louise Lowe, ANU

Do you have a new dramatic work lined up for production? Would you like help and support in developing your script in advance of rehearsal? The New Play Clinic has supported dozens of new productions for Irish audiences and offers a  flexible package for each project.

The New Play Clinic is now closed for 2025 and will reopen in Spring 2026.

The New Play Clinic is supported by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. The NPC supports plays which have definite production plans, at a stage where dramaturgical help can most benefit the process. Every participating theatre artist, who benefits from the initiative, is paid for his/her/their participation, and receives support from Gavin Kostick and/or another dramaturg as appropriate.

What is on offer?

The objective of the New Play Clinic is to help maximise the potential of new plays which are scheduled for production in Ireland through practical dramaturgical support. Fishamble seeks to work flexibly with artists in the way most suited to the development of their new work for production. Workshops can be delivered live or online.

Support through the scheme is likely to include:

  • Fishamble hosting a 1-3 day workshop to aid script development
  • Professional rates of pay for key artistic contributors (eg: writer, director, actors) for that workshop period
  • Provision of dramaturgical support
  • If participants need to travel to Dublin or the New Play Clinic is being delivered outside Dublin, the scheme may support travel and accommodation
  • further support for artists with disability, to facilitate engagement with the process.

The artists selected may request the input of an independent dramaturg, through discussion with Fishamble, or choose to work with Gavin Kostick (Literary Manager, Fishamble).

Similarly, the artists may provide performers connected with the project, or may seek Fishamble’s guidance in casting actors for the workshop.

Who is it for?

  • Theatre makers working as individuals on a specific project
  • Two or more writers working together or devising in some other manner
  • Professional performance companies that are developing new work to production
  • Presenting organisations that are programming new works and are actively engaged with their development for production

The New Play Clinic is not intended for:

  • New plays in development for presentation outside Ireland
  • Projects for which there is no production yet planned, or production dates confirmed
  • Companies/organisations that already have dramaturgical/similar resources
  • To replace rehearsal, provide non-dramaturgical support for production, or in any way to off-set costs or replace other necessary elements of the production

How to apply

The statement of interest should briefly include:

  • The nature of the project, including its current status (200 words max)
  • The timeline of development and intention for presentation, including confirmed commitments to produce (100 words max)
  • A statement on the current status of the play, with a sample of up to 8 pages of script/treatment/source material or similar attached
  • The expectation of what would be gained from engaging with Fishamble in this process, and how the New Play Clinic would best serve the artists involved (100 words max)
  • A brief biography (which may include clickable links) of the key people/organisations involved
  • A brief budget outline for the production, including a note of how much of the projected income is confirmed (small excel sheet or similar, one page max)
  • Statement of receipt of Arts Council or other funding, e.g. local authority and, if so, under which scheme

Please keep the statement of interest clear, concise and free from jargon. Fishamble really wants to know the story of the project so far, who you are, what you’re up to and how the scheme can be of most use.

Other things to note

  • Previous participants of the New Play Clinic may apply again
  • Public acknowledgement of the process is required at the production stage with the following statement: “Play development has been supported by Fishamble: The New Play Company’s New Play Clinic”.
  • All participants will be required to fill out feedback forms evaluating the schemeIf you encounter problems with the online submission system, please email Gavin on gavin@fishamble.com