New Writing Festival 2027: Call-out for emerging playwrights
Summerseat Players is inviting emerging playwrights from across the Northwest to submit original short plays for its inaugural New Writing Festival, taking place at Theatre Royal Ramsbottom on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July 2027.
The festival will showcase twelve new short plays by Northwest writers, pairing six emerging playwrights selected through open submission with six established playwrights.
At the heart of the festival is mentorship, support and creative connection. Each selected emerging playwright will be paired with an established playwright, with the two works presented together as part of a double-bill festival programme.
Applications are free and submissions close on Monday 3 August 2026.
About the festival
The Summerseat Players New Writing Festival is a new two-day theatre festival celebrating new writing from across the Northwest.
The festival has been created to support emerging playwrights, create opportunities for new work and build connections between new and established theatre makers.
Selected writers will see their work staged at Theatre Royal Ramsbottom as part of the July 2027 festival weekend.
What we are looking for
We are looking for original short plays by emerging playwrights.
Submitted plays should be:
- original and unproduced
- 30 to 45 minutes in length
- no more than 50 pages
- written for no more than three actors
- practical to stage, with minimal technical and scenic requirements
- capable of being developed into a full-length play of 70 to 90 minutes
We are looking for plays with clear ideas, strong voices and room to grow.
Who can apply
Applications are open to playwrights who:
- are aged 18 or over
- are based in, or studying in, the Northwest of England
- are emerging or amateur playwrights
- have not previously had work professionally produced
- are submitting one original, unproduced play
Writers may submit one script only.
Translations and adaptations of existing work are not eligible. Scripts created using AI are not permitted.
Entry categories
There are six open-submission places for emerging playwrights. One place is reserved for a children’s theatre piece suitable for audiences under 14. The remaining five places are open to all other topics, provided the work is suitable for a wide audience.
What selected writers receive
Selected writers will:
- have their short play staged as part of the New Writing Festival
- be paired with an established playwright mentor
- be part of a shared creative process with a director and theatre team
- receive a financial contribution towards rehearsal travel, mentorship meetings and time spent on rewrites
- receive a Festival Official Selection certificate
The selected children’s theatre writer will receive a contribution of £350.
The five selected writers in the general category will each receive a contribution of £500.
Best of Festival
One of the six selected emerging playwrights will receive the Best of Festival award.
This writer will be supported to develop their short play into a full-length production for a future Summerseat Players season.
The support will include development time, workshops and rehearsal support as the play grows from a 30 to 45 minute short work into a full-length piece.
How to submit
To submit a script, please:
- Complete the Playwright Application Form: NWF 2027 | SCRIPT SUBMISSION – Fill out form
- Email a PDF copy of your script to: nwf@summerseatplayers.co.uk
Your script should be submitted under a pseudonym or alias. Please make sure the pseudonym or alias on your script matches the one used in your application form.
Please remove all other name and contact information from the script itself.
Email subject line:
NWF27 Script Submission – [Pseudonym/Alias]
Applications received without an emailed script will not be processed.
Key dates
Public call-out launched: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Submissions close: Monday 3 August 2026
Longlisting: October 2026
Shortlisting: November 2026
Official selection: December 2026
Festival: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 July 2027
Questions
For questions about the submission process, please contact:
nwf@summerseatplayers.co.uk
If you have written a short play with a strong idea, a clear voice and the potential to grow, we would love to hear from you.