First Break Young Writers’ Competition

Reach for the stars with the First Break Young Writers’ Competition

Are you aged 11 -18, enjoy writing and want to see your work performed in a professional theatre?

Then now is the time to enter the Young Writers’ Competition organised by Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Oldham Theatre Workshop.

To enter the competition we need you to write an original short play based on the themes of Discovery and Innovation. Our theme is inspired by the 50th anniversary this upcoming March of the first space walk and manned space flight. The themes can be explored in many different ways – you could write about an adventure or quest or about experiencing a personal challenge.

John W Young, one of the astronauts who took part in the 1965 manned space flight wrote: ‘We only do 10% of what we’re capable of … we can do anything we want in a heartbeat.”

We hope this quote will inspire you to challenge yourself to write about a topic or try out a writing style that you haven’t yet attempted.

Ultimately what you decide to write is up to you, just let your imagination run riot and see what you come up with!

Plays should last no more than 10 minutes and feature a maximum of four characters.

Four of the submitted plays will be performed in the Coliseum’s Studio on Saturday 14 March as part of the Coliseum Theatre’s First Break Writing Festival.

The winning writers will:

• Get the chance to see their plays performed by young actors from the Coliseum and Oldham Theatre Workshop
• Receive individual mentoring from established writers and leading theatre professionals.

To enter the competition please send two hard copies of your play and include your name, age, email address and postal address.

Please post your entries to:

First Break Writing Competition
The Oldham Coliseum Theatre
Fairbottom Street
Oldham
OL1 3SW

The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 30 January 2015.