New Play Development

What is new play development?

Before a new play can make its debut on stage it demands endless attention from the playwright and from the creative team that provides nourishment along the way.

During our workshop process we read the play aloud, ask questions, make revisions and create a family dynamic designed to nurture the young play. Directors are the doting grandparents, cooing and fussing over the new baby while offering thinly veiled criticism to the actual parent. Actors are the favorite uncles and aunts who drop in with pop-guns and candy, get the baby revved up and then abruptly leave before the bedtime tantrum. And designers dream big dreams for the little tyke, striving to create a better world in which to grow. Through it all, the dramaturg works as a partner, offering support and strength when things get rough. Each play requires a different approach, depending upon the playwright’s experience, style, and sensitivity. And each workshop thrives on the input of our family of artists.

We support projects that will stand alone as good scripts - not just as good scripts for Blyth. On average, 50% of the new scripts that we premiere go on to multiple productions elsewhere. Of all our achievements, the ongoing success of plays developed here is the most significant.

New Play Development Programs and News

Theatre Creators’ Reserve program

Saturday, August 8 2009

August 20, 2009

The Blyth Festival is pleased to announce that it has again been invited to participate in the Ontario Arts Council’s Theatre Creators’ Reserve program. Designed to provide funding for Ontario playwrights, the Theatre Creators’ Reserve is a third-party recommender program, administered by the Ontario Arts Council. Under this program, a number of Ontario’s professional theatres are given the opportunity to recommend writing or creation grants to professional theatre artists. This year, the Blyth Festival’s allocation of $8000 will be recommended to artists who demonstrate a clear understanding of the playwriting process. The minimum grant recommendation is $1000 and the maximum is $5000. 


In addition to the OAC Theatre Creators’ Reserve application form, please send a description of your project to:

Eric Coates
Artistic Director
Blyth Festival
PO Box 10
Blyth, ON
N0M 1H0 

The description should include a synopsis, or an outline of the play’s possible direction. More importantly, it should articulate the aesthetic of the play. Is it realistic, etc? The entire description need not exceed a single page. Decisions will be made based on artistic interest and connection to Blyth’s constituency.

Theatre Creators’ Reserve program guidelines and applications are available on the OAC website: http://www.arts.on.ca

Deadline for submissions to the Blyth Festival: Monday February 1, 2010. All applications will be reviewed within seven (7) days of the deadline.