For Young Writers
Audio version BSL version
Do you have an idea or a story to tell? Can you imagine it performed live, on a stage, by actors? Then its time to start your playwriting journey – and we can’t wait to read what you write.
If you’re aged 13-18 and live or go to school in London, you can send us your play. It can be about anything at all – from real life, your imagination, or both – so long as it’s meant to be performed on stage.
Writing a play is one of the most exciting ways to be creative. Theatre is a place where you can break rules, tell stories you don’t think have been told before, and challenge the world (and adults) around you. This is your opportunity to tell us about what matters – whether it’s politics, conflict among friends, or a sci-fi fantasy epic.
We also want your play to be the best it can be, and to help you get the most out of the experience. That’s why we’re offering support and advice to help you every step of the way.
Read on for full details, and follow us on Instagram for videos, updates and deadline reminders through the year.
The competition
Ready to get writing?
You will be able to send us your play any time between 24 March – 2 May 2025 through a submissions page on our website. It’s completely free-of-charge, and plays can be 1,000 to 5,000 words long (about 10 to 30 minutes on stage). Applicants must be London-based, aged 13-18. You can read full eligibility guidance here.
We’ll offer feedback and encouragement for anyone who sends us a play, as well as announcing a shortlist of the best entries in June. The Award is in two age categories: 13-15 and 16-18 years old.
The winning plays, chosen by our panel from the shortlist, will be professionally performed in rehearsed readings over a three-day festival from 10-12 July at the Royal Court Theatre – and published in a special edition by Nick Hern Books. We’ll also present winners with a unique trophy at a prize-giving ceremony on Saturday 12 July.
You can read more about the Festival and Prizes here, but in the meantime – get to work! You just need to come up with an idea, plan your story, and write it for actors to perform on stage!
Tips & support for writing
We think everyone can enjoy the experience of writing a play, whether you end up entering the competition or not.
To help you start, write and finish your play, we’ve created a six-part video series, guiding you through the different stages of writing a play. Featuring award-winning playwrights Sabrina Ali, Tife Kusoro, Ryan Calais Cameron, Beth Flintoff, Nina Segal and Vinay Patel, you’ll find writing exercises, tips and advice, plus a corresponding worksheet, covering topics such as finding a spark, creating characters, building structure, writing scenes, breaking the rules, and redrafting.
Videos will be released weekly and you can watch, listen and write along to the pre-recorded tutorials, as a group of friends, in the classroom or in your own time. Available to watch on our Instagram, YouTube and by clicking here.
With thanks to our supporters and Publishing Partner, Nick Hern Books.
