International Student Playscript Competition
The annual International Student Playscript Competition (ISPC), now in its 34th year, is a small, but important, part of the 54-year-old (British) National Student Drama Festival (NSDF). The ISPC has been particularly blessed with the support of Sir Alan Ayckbourn, England’s most prolific playwright, who judged the final round from the start in 1976 and is now the ISPC Patron. The event is presented by the World Student Drama Trust in association with the NSDF.
The free ISPC is unusual in several respects, being genuinely worldwide, having no restrictions on form, content, length, number of characters or locations and – above all – giving every entry a helpful, encouraging but honest appraisal. There is no limit to how many scripts any student can enter. The closing date for entries is 30 November 2009. The winner receives a cash prize – currently £1,000 - and usually a highly rated, rehearsed reading at the next NSDF, cast from the plethora of talented actors performing in the ten or more, rigorously selected NSDF shows. With the addition of over 100 workshops plus post-show public discussions and talks - all given by highly regarded professionals – the total NSDF experience is extremely stimulating and frequently life-changing. Budding journalists and critics should note that there is a daily news magazine, Noises Off, written and professionally produced each night by anyone at the Festival.
The winner of the 2008 International Student Playscript Competition was how hard it happens by Claire Urwin (Manchester University). A rehearsed reading of the play took place in the Spa Theatre on Friday 3rd April 2009 as part of NSDF09.
Rules and Conditions
1 Open to all students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, studying full- or part-time anywhere in the world on or after 1st January 2008.
2 There are no restrictions on age, nationality, content, length and type of play, number of scenes and characters – i.e. there are no limits. Entries must be in English, but may be translated, if necessary, by anyone, including non students. Previous ISPC winners are not eligible.
3 There is no entry fee.
4 All scripts must be received by 30 November 2009. Playwrights may adopt pseudonyms if they wish, but should inform the ISPC Administrator, Clive Wolfe, of their true identity by emailing cu@thetheatre.ndo.co.uk once the scripts have been entered. This is purely for contact purposes.
5 The winning student should be notified by 1st March 2010 and expected to attend the rehearsed reading at NSDF10. Assistance with costs may be available, if required.
To submit your play(s) by post, please send one typed copy, plus entry form (Click here to download), to the first round reader, Professor Peter Thomson, Department of Drama, Thornlea, New North Road, University of Exeter, EX4 4JZ, United Kingdom, who will give each entry helpful, positive feedback. Alternatively, email him at p.w.thomson@exeter.ac.uk again including the entry form(s). Any enquiries to cu@thetheatre.ndo.co.uk. Entrants are strongly advised to keep a complete spare copy of their work and to number each page.
