The Richard Burton Award for New Plays

The Richard Burton Award for New Plays

To celebrate the illustrious career of one of the great stars of the silver screen, Sally Burton and her company Onward Production in association with Black Swan have created a major playwriting initiative, The Richard Burton Award for New Plays. 2011 was the second year of the Awards.

Sally Burton is excited to partner with Black Swan in developing new work by rewarding our most unique and gifted playwrights. The Award will encourage our great storytellers from all over Australia.

The Richard Burton Award for New Plays will be awarded annually to works that have not yet had a production. The Award will be one of the richest in Australia, with a prize pool of $30,000.

Click here to see past winners of the Richard Burton Award for New Plays. Please note that the Award was not awarded to any 2011 applicants.

 

The 2011 Award has now closed. Information about the 2012 Richard Burton Award will be posted here in early 2012.  

 

To submit your play:

Terms & Conditions

  • This is a national competition open to full length unproduced plays (‘An unproduced play’ is a work that has not had a professional production. A reading or workshop of the play is not considered a professional production.).
  • The play must have been written in the 12 months leading up to the closing date of the award.
  • Entrants must be 21 years of age by July 1st 2011.
  • The Award is open to all Australian citizens or recognised Australian Residents.
  • Playwrights may only enter one play per year into the Award.
  • The playwright must provide two paper copies of the play to be judged. Please ensure your copies do not contain your name as the judges will blind read the scripts.
  • Plays that have been commissioned by a company are not eligible for the award. Onward Production and Black Swan State Theatre Company will have the first exclusive rights to produce the play for 12 months from the Award being announced.
  • Plays will not be accepted by email and must include the official entry form. 

Judging

  • Onward Production in association with Black Swan State Theatre Company will appoint a judging panel each year chaired by Sally Burton.
  • The judges’ decision is final and no debate will be entered into nor will feedback be provided.
  • Black Swan State Theatre Company will stage a reading of the successful work.

All entries must be received at Black Swan by Friday 1st July 2011. Winners will be announced at Black Swan’s 2012 season launch in October 2011.