For Playwrights aged 13 - 17 and 18 - 26

Interplay's first ever Online Festival was launched in November 2006. The excitement continues as the second Online Festival has just begun!
Message from Interplay's Chair, Chris Mead:
We are proud to be launching a whole new way of experiencing the utility of World Interplay - our Online Festival. As microchips get faster and internet connection becomes more common, we are keen to be making the most of this new mode of communication - connecting young theatre artists the world over, across time, geographic and cultural barriers. Don't miss your chance to sign up, log in and both up and download.

See you online!
What is Interplay's Online Festival?
The idea of the Online Festival was born out of Interplay’s desire to support more young playwrights from more places than ever before. Now geography doesn’t impact your participation in a World Interplay festival – all it takes is internet access!

Make lasting national and international contacts, receive valuable feedback on your scripts, develop your craft, learn about writing processes from peers and professionals the world over, and ultimately affirm that theatre is important - all from your computer! Surround yourself with like-minded individuals whose diversity and unique theatrical voices create a truly memorable and enjoyable learning experience.

The Online Festival is all about playwright development in both script and skin. It provides a blank virtual stage – it is up to you to fill it!
The Application Process
The application process for playwrights can be completed totally online during the application period. Start by clicking on ONLINE APPLICATION in the right-hand menu and follow the five steps.

Playwrights will need to complete all sections of the online form in order to be eligible.

Requirements:
Applicant Details
Brief Biography
Brief Applicant statement
A draft of the play to be developed (see the selection criteria below)
A small picture for their profile (optional)

Tutors are usually experienced playwrights dramaturgs or directors. They can register their interest by emailing info@worldinterplay.org including their CV/Bio and an introduction.
HOW DOES THE ONLINE FESTIVAL WORK?
Interplay has modified the tried, tested and trusted model of script development offered at the World Interplay festivals for an online context. The model of script development focuses on process rather than product so that playwrights are able to develop their work at a natural pace in a non-competitive environment.

A number of staging areas or spaces are available to facilitate discussion, script development and feedback.

Here’s a description of what happens in each space:

Playwright Profiles

The application process requires playwrights to compile a profile of their work that helps with Interplay’s assessment. The profile can be frequently updated and contains the playwrights’ photo, bio, and uploaded works available for viewing. If successful, this profile forms the unique identity of the playwright and a password ensures restricted access to it.
Base Groups
8 - 9 young playwright delegates work with 2 - 3 tutors. Base Groups provide intimate group-reading and assessment workshops so that all young writers have their work dealt with in a secure and positive way. Writers control how their work is presented, what is presented and who presents it. Base Groups also discuss issues about writing, theatre, and Interplay.

The Online Festival offers base groups for those aged 13 – 17 and 18 – 26.

One-to-One: Tutor Feedback Forms

Each playwright has three tutors assigned to their work who must fill in a feedback form about the script. The tutors are not necessarily those who the playwright works with regularly in their base groups. The feedback forms allow tutors to offer detailed notes about a playwright’s script that may assist with its next draft. Playwrights are of course free to seek advice from unassigned tutors and playwright peers.
Festival Hub: Forums
The Festival Hub is an communal online space where members can discuss anything; hook up with other playwrights to create your own projects, share ideas, problem solve, share cultures, find out what’s happening in other countries, advertise your productions, form friendships, share your opinion about Shakespeare, Brecht, Beckett, Mamet - whoever and whatever!
Workshops and Projects
From time to time, Interplay may invite special guests online to offer masterclasses or projects to festival participants. These may take place in the festival hub or within the base group forums. Interplay will keep you posted of any advancements.
Featured Playwright
The Featured Playwright function allows one playwright to be showcased on the website’s front page, including their photo, biography and lists of works. They are also included in our e-newsletter. Featured playwrights are regularly updated and are a fantastic way for a playwright to quickly gain exposure. It is also a nice way for other Online Festival members to find out more about their peers.
HOW CAN THE ONLINE FESTIVAL BENEFIT PLAYWRIGHTS?
There are many benefits for playwrights who take part in the Online Festival.

Some of the benefits include:
National and international network/contact building.
Professional dramaturgy on your script/s.
A commitment from base groups members to read and comment on your work.
Confidence that you are working alongside peers and tutors of Interplay’s high standards.
Develop work in a supportive, non-competitive environment upheld by Interplay’s Cultural Differences Policy and process driven model of script development.
Have autonomy of your work; write when and how you like to maintain your theatrical voice.
Read other young playwrights’ scripts and become more globally informed.
Exposure of your work to other festival participants, site visitors and Interplay clients through your personalized playwright profile.
Security that your work is only available to other registered festival participants.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

A registration fee is required to be paid by successful playwrights before they are able to participate in the festival. The fee for the Online Festival in 2007 is $50.00AUD plus a transaction fee of $3.00AUD which will be payable through PayPal. This fee covers the term of the Online Festival.

5 scholarship places are offered each round to waive the registration fee. You can apply for a scholarship place at the same time you make your online application. Please note Interplay is an international organisation and applicants from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply for these free places.

Registration for tutors and former World Interplay participants is FREE.
THE SELECTION CRITERIA?
Like all of Interplay's projects, places for the Online Festival are strictly limited so as to assure high quality and the best possible outcomes for all involved. Each round’s applications are of an extraordinarily high standard and thus very competitive.

Playwrights are selected by the quality of their festival scripts and strength of their application. Decisions are advised by a number of criteria:
Scripts are original works of the playwright (translations and adaptations are not acceptable unless permission of original author/s has been granted).
Scripts are intended for the stage (no screenplays).
Scripts demonstrate a unique theatrical voice (style, form or content etc.).
Scripts arouse response or reaction in reader (interest, excitement, emotion etc.).
Scripts demonstrate Playwright’s understanding of genre.
Scripts have foreseeable development potential, preferably in early-middle stages of its creation (no final drafts, no synopses).
Scripts are preferably full-length or of a substantial length to develop over 4 – 5 months
Scripts are in English and presented in an easily understandable format.
IMPORTANT DATES
Second Online Festival Starts: 30th May, 2007

Second Online Festival Ends: 30th August, 2007

Applications for tutors and playwrights for the next Online Festival will be announced through our e-newsletters. Subscribe today to keep informed by emailing your name and country to info@worldinterplay.org