What’s it about?
Rehearsed readings of works in progress, followed by audience kōrero with each writer/creator. By writers and devisers with lived experience of disability.
The Magnificent Weirdos is looking for eight short plays up to 20 minutes long, from the D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse communities, or from those who have lived experience of mental distress.
Each play selected will be workshopped with professional actors and dramaturgs over a two-week period (1-14 August 2025) and presented as a staged reading between the 15-17th August. Each play will be performed once over the course of the weekend.
Submissions are open now until the 31st May 2025.
This is a paid opportunity with each chosen writer(s)/creator(s) offered $250 thanks to the generosity of Playmarket New Zealand.
Who can submit:
Playwrights with lived experience of d/Deafness, disability, neurodiversity or mental distress. You do not have to have a formal diagnosis; we welcome those who self-identify. It’s also okay if you don’t use the word “disability” to describe yourself – if you face access barriers, this opportunity is for you!
Open to writers of all levels of experience, including writers who have never written a play before and playwrights who have written many.
Applicants must live in New Zealand.
Writers must be available for the workshop process in August, either in person in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, or digitally via Zoom.
Collaborations between writers or devisers are welcome. We encourage collaborators to put in place a written agreement regarding rights and splitting of the $250 fee.
What to submit:
Submissions may be in written script form or you can submit a video if your play is movement based or created in NZSL.
Plays must be up to 20 minutes in length. The best way to test this is to time yourself performing/reading your play aloud.
Stand alone plays are preferred but 20-30 minute excerpts from longer plays may be considered.
Plays must be complete at the time of submission i.e. the whole play or segment you wish to present must be written or recorded. We cannot accept a play idea or a synopsis for this opportunity.
Plays may not have been published or had a public performance before (a previous reading or workshop not open to the public is fine).
Plays must be able to be performed by no more than three actors. You can have more than three characters in your play if some of them can be performed by the same person.
Any script format is okay, as long as it’s clear which parts are dialogue and which are stage direction. We suggest using this formatting
How to Submit:
Email your play to magnificentweirdos@gmail.com by 31st May 2025.
Include your name and contact details and a little about yourself in the body of the email.
Any questions, please contact magnificentweirdos@gmail.com