Opportunities for Writers

PLAY SUBMISSIONS

Due to the size of our theatres and length of our seasons, Melbourne Theatre Company predominantly produces work by experienced playwrights advanced in their career. However, we are constantly searching for exciting new writers with urgent, theatrical stories to tell.

Melbourne Theatre Company receives a large volume of scripts sent to us for consideration. For this reason, we are unable to read all scripts in full but will accept submissions in the following formats:

· A sample of the work (maximum 10 pages)
· An overview of the work (maximum 1 page)
· A CV or bio (maximum 1 page)

An overview should include:
· A brief summary of the action or plot of the play
· Any notes on theatrical style and/or genre
· The number of performers
· A brief note on why you want to tell this story at the Melbourne Theatre Company

The 10-page sample can be from any part of the script and should showcase your most dynamic theatrical writing. Please email your submission in a single PDF with the title SCRIPT SUBMISSION to newwork@mtc.com.au

We will read your sample and let you know if we would like to read the work in full.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of work we receive we are not able to provide feedback.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SHOW

If you would like us to attend a production of your work, please email artistic@mtc.com.au with the subject line INVITATION. Please give us plenty of notice and we will do our best to come along.

COMMISSIONS

On average Melbourne Theatre Company commissions four new plays a year and a new work by our Playwriting Fellow. These commissions are awarded to writers who have proven their ability to write works of scale that speak to a wide audience.

We commission new plays through long running conversation between a writer and our artistic team and through receiving pitches throughout the year for both new works and adaptations of existing texts.

PITCHES FOR COMMISSION

We welcome pitches for commission from established or developing writers who have had multiple works produced (either independently or professionally).

If you have an idea for an original new work or an adaptation you would like us to commission, please email newwork@mtc.com.au with the subject line PITCH FOR COMMISSION with a one-to-two-page overview of your idea including notes on:

· The action or plot of the play
· Theatrical style and/or genre
· The number of performers and
· A brief note on why you want to tell this story at Melbourne Theatre Company

PLAYWRITING FELLOW

The Melbourne Theatre Company Playwriting Fellow is a recent initiative that includes a year-long Fellowship within the company and a commission to write a new play. It is an appointment made in January each year and is by invitation. The Fellowship aims to provide a more immersive relationship with the company by offering a playwright insight into the programming and broader artistic practices of the company.

The previous Playwriting Fellows are:

2023-2024: Jean Tong

2024-2025: Anchuli Felicia King

The 2025 Playwriting Fellow is Alistair Baldwin.

If you have questions beyond any information here please get in touch with us at newwork@mtc.com.au