New Work
Every new production we make starts life at our New Work department.
The National Theatre is highly selective about the work which it develops towards its stages, but there are many ways to put your work forward for consideration:
- Across the year, our team attends over 300 professional productions across the breadth of the UK, as well as attending a wide range of international productions and festivals.
- As well as the hundreds of plays we consider from agents or artists with whom we have an existing relationship, we also receive close to 1000 plays from unrepresented writers each year, which we accept all year round, and every one of which is read and assessed by our diverse panel of readers.
- We also receive almost 300 proposals per year to be considered for workshop and development time.
- Each year the Studio employs over 1000 freelance artists, across all theatre-making disciplines.
All of these streams are considered by the New Work Department and are considered as part of the work we develop towards the stages of the National Theatre.
The brilliant thing about working at the National Theatre is that there is time and space to properly collaborate. Whilst I was fretting away with structure and exposition, Katy was experimenting with puppets and movement sequences, which has made for a production that is entirely integrated with the text.
Joel Horwood, writer for The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Submissions and proposals
We accept script submissions and production proposals for development.
Script submissions
We are happy to receive and consider unsolicited scripts from writers across the UK and Ireland. This is one of the ways we develop our awareness of artists’ work, as well as welcoming invitations to see productions.
Due to the volume of scripts we receive and our small team size, unfortunately we can’t provide feedback on all submissions. However, our aim is to respond within three months to let you know whether or not we wish to further engage with your work.
To submit a script or ask about the process, please email the Senior Reader:
scripts@nationaltheatre.org.uk
Please stick to the following script guidelines:
- Scripts must be full-length (at least one hour).
- Only one play per writer in a 12 month period (unless otherwise requested).
- Please don’t send re-drafts of plays previously submitted.
- We won’t read scripts for film, television or radio.
- We no longer accept handwritten or hard copy submissions.
- Please submit your file as a PDF.
- Musical submissions should include a link to supporting materials.
Proposals
Most of the New Work Department’s work takes place by invitation, and we rarely take forward unsolicited proposals from artists we don’t already have an existing relationship with. The pathways towards beginning this conversation are through coverage of your work or through script submissions.
If you have had positive responses from us to your work and you feel you are ready to make work that matches the NT’s scale, please send an outline of the proposal and creative team biographies to Proposals at newwork@nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Getting in touch
The New Work Team attends over 300 shows each year, as well as readings and sharings of new and classic work, encompassing projects from across the UK and beyond, across all genres and theatrical mediums.
With limited resources, we are selective in deciding which work to cover and we base this decision on our assessment of the promise of the concept and material, and our interest in the creative team and their potential trajectory toward our development processes and the producing contexts of the NT.
We are looking for artists whose work is ambitious, thrilling and rich in story. Even the smallest of our 3 stages is large and demanding, so we are rarely looking for artists at the early stages of their careers; as such, this also plays a part in our decisions on which shows we seek to attend.
The best way to introduce yourself is to invite us to see your work. Please submit information about your show 4-6 weeks before the event takes place – we’re not a large team and we receive a lot of invites!
We tend to see work of writers and directors who have clearly established their practice, who have been producing work for three to five years. We prioritise fully realised productions rather than scratch or work in progress. For readings, we will consider the work of the writers only. We don’t attend non-professional work, unless it is in a participatory setting. If we have seen your work in the last 12 months, it’s unlikely we’ll cover it again so soon.
As part of your invite, please let us know:
- Why you want us to cover this production.
- What development opportunities you are looking to engage with at the National Theatre.
- If you are a director, please include a PDF of your CV so we can understand your recent experience.
Contact us:
General enquiries
newwork@nationaltheatre.org.uk
Staff Directors programme
newwork@nationaltheatre.org.uk
Script submissions
scripts@nationaltheatre.org.uk
Generate programme
generate@nationaltheatre.org.uk
Pathways for commissioned writers
In 2022 I filled out the Google Doc on the National Theatre’s New Work Department website, inviting the team to attend a rehearsed reading of The Estate at the Park Theatre. That reading was attended by Nina Steiger, following which we met and talked about the play. She talked about the central idea in the play that she loved, and how it might be developed. I was offered a 7-week residency at the National Theatre Studio to start a new play and also begin work on redrafting The Estate.
During that time I watched plays in the Archive and on the stages, I floated into workshops and chewed story with world class dramaturgs. I had pep talks and tea with other writers. I had time and a room of my own to lose myself in the play – for the first time in my life I dreamt in character, of my protagonist’s school memories. The redraft of The Estate that came out of that process had been transformed by all these inputs. It had become something I could never have written alone. It’s hard to explain how it happened.
Next, there was a workshop and a sharing for an industry audience. A director and actors breathed feeling into thoughts and we saw it start to fly. We saw the seed blossoming. I was told maybe – possibly – and then finally ‘yes.’ We are still working on it, it’s still growing.
Shaan Sahota
I sent my play, The House of Shades, to the National Theatre where it was read by Nina Steiger. Following a discussion of that play, I was offered a writer’s attachment, and in the magical space that is the Studio, the seed of an idea for a new play began to germinate. It was commissioned by Nina and over a period of 2 years, it was nurtured into a fully grown play: Till The Stars Come Down. I did most of the writing on this pay as the Studio’s Writer in Residence which spanned from 2019, went over the Pandemic closure and carried on into 2021.
Being the Writer in Residence made me a better writer. It offered me the opportunity to read and see more plays than I ever have, and being around many brilliant theatre brains enriched my critical thinking. It gave me community and I’ve never felt more supported.
Once Till the Stars Come Down was programmed in the Dorfman, we began a more intensive period of development, with cast, design team and director all working together towards the production for January 2024.
It was my first play at the National Theatre. It’s always been my dream to have a play on these stages and I loved every step of the process. It would never have happened without the championing and development of the Studio.
Beth Steel, playwright and former NT Studio Writer In Residence
Till the Stars Come Down production image
Support for artists across the UK
Our Generate programme shares our workshop space and resources with artists developing work that’s destined for stages outside the capital.
Our support includes costs like artist fees and travel expenses, as well as space, dramaturgical support, and introductions to co-producing partners.
We are excited to offer tangible support for our colleagues right across the country.
It was a truly invaluable week – we learnt so much about the show and were able to explore lots of staging ideas. Thank you all for creating such a wonderful environment in which to explore the show.
Lotte Wakeham, Artistic Director of Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Who are we looking for?
- Theatre companies and artists with a track record of reaching a range of audiences across the UK.
- Projects which have a route to the stage planned (eg. presenting partners already attached).
- Teams who are looking to create something ambitious within their context.
- Exploring theatre ideas that need the use of a studio space and workshop time.
- Creative teams who reflect the diversity of the UK.
- The next generation of theatre makers.
What kind of projects?
- Projects which aim to develop new audiences.
- Story-led projects (text based, devised or multidisciplinary theatre).
- Ideas and approaches which could be described as pioneering.
- Shows which might be more challenging to produce – for example, a collaboration or concept that needs investigation before production.
How to apply
If your project fulfils the criteria we’re looking for, please email Rachel Twigg, Head of Studio: generate@nationaltheatre.org.uk
If you are still unsure whether your project qualifies for support, please read our application FAQs:
We rarely consider projects that do not have a route to production already established.
We are unlikely to consider one-person shows or two handers, unless they display substantial creative or technical ambition.
Generate supports theatre companies and artists with a track record of reaching a range of audiences across the UK.
If you are an emerging artist or have just created a company, the best route for development support at the National Theatre is to first invite the New Work Department to attend a performance of a completed production. You can use our invitations form to invite the New Work Department to see a show.
Generate offers bespoke workshop space at the National Theatre Studio in London; financial support for artist fees, relocation and travel expenses; assistance with organising a sharing to make introductions to potential co-producing partners or touring venues.
The National Theatre will be credited with assisting in the development of the work on future marketing materials.
To apply for Generate, please email us at generate@nationaltheatre.org.uk
You will need include: the confirmed creative team; details of the confirmed pathway to production or producing partner; information about what stage the project is at and what you aim to achieve during the workshop process; any relevant links or documents associated with the project, such as the most recent draft of the script or a recording of a previous iteration of the project; details about the artist or theatre company.
Peter Shaffer Commissions
The National Theatre has partnered with the Sir Peter Shaffer Charitable Foundation in committing to supporting playwrights. Celebrating the life and career of Sir Peter Shaffer, this partnership will continue his desire to support playwrights as they create larger scale plays.
Awarding a total of 14 commissions over two years for playwrights from across the UK, we will work closely with regional companies and theatres to identify future talent. Of the seven commissions each year, two will be given for plays being developed by the National Theatre and five will be an open call to theatres and companies from across the UK. All commissions will be for original plays (not adaptations) with more than three characters.
We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with the Sir Peter Shaffer Charitable Foundation. Sir Peter was one of the great writers of his generation and the National Theatre was enormously lucky to have such a fruitful and creative relationship with him. In nurturing talent from across the UK, this partnership will continue Sir Peter’s legacy, inspiring and supporting emerging talent.
– Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre
Applications
Applications for the Peter Shaffer Commissions are currently closed.
The Peter Shaffer 2023 Commissions were awarded to:
Bristol Old Vic: Zodwa Nyoni
HighTide: Molly Naylor
Northern Stage: Alex Oates
Octagon Theatre Bolton: Shahid Iqbal Khan
Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh: James Ley
Talent development
We offer a number of opportunities for emerging talent, particularly for directors.
Attachments
We offer around 25 attachments per year to writers, directors, choreographers and designers. Artists are resident at the Studio, with a desk and the benefits and support of being part of the Studio team. These are by invitation, generally offered to established artists who haven’t worked with us.
Staff Directors
Our programme for developing directors. Staff Directors act as assistant director for our productions in the rehearsal room, rehearse understudies and stay on to support the show throughout its run. We normally have around 6-8 artists working with us as Staff Directors at any one time.
We'd like to meet directors who:
- Have directed full length and fully developed productions in a range of settings – this can include fringe, studio, pub theatres or found spaces.
- Make work in a variety of ways, from text based to devised.
- Can talk about their practice and how our training opportunities could support them.
- For Staff Directing, we are looking for at least two credits as an Assistant Director in a Main House. If you have experience working with understudy companies, it would be beneficial.
In short, we need to see evidence of a developing directing career, but the route into this can be from any direction: from acting, to participation work, to transitioning from another discipline, to academic or professional training, and from non-professional routes.
Kindling
Kindling is a scheme for early career directors. It aims to diversify the directors that we work with to be truly representative of the country, by offering up opportunities that will enrich and support these directors.
This might include opportunities to observe rehearsals or tech sessions, to participate in creative masterclasses or to assist on workshops at the NT Studio.
Through Kindling I was able to work with nationally renowned artists and gain hands-on experience in the research and development of new work as an assistant director.
The National Theatre Studio offered a truly collaborative space, where I was encouraged to offer insight and ideas, build relationships with established directors and work with wider creative teams.
Taking part in this work was invaluable in nurturing my development as a director and has directly influenced my practice in the creation of new work. As a regional director, it was a vital pathway which helped me tap into the UK theatre ecology and broaden my network.
Nicole Behan, Kindling Assistant Director
If you are interested in being considered for our development opportunities, please contact us at newwork@nationaltheatre.org.uk
- Please specify what opportunity you are interested in and why.
- Include a PDF of your current CV.
- If appropriate, invite us to see your work.
Our Supporters
The National Theatre’s New Work programme is supported by Sir Peter Shaffer Charitable Foundation, The Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation, Edgerton Foundation, Genesis Foundation, The Red Butterfly Foundation, The John S Cohen Foundation, The Austin & Hope Pilkington Trust, Noël Coward Foundation and The Golsoncott Foundation.
The New American Work Programme is supported by The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust and Lawton W Fitt & James I McLaren Foundation.
More to explore
Theatre-makers
We invest in the UKs creative industries, creating opportunities for freelance theatre-makers to develop the next generation of talent.
Emerging stage designers
The Linbury Prize is for graduating stage designers. It’s open for applications every two years and designed to help support entry into the industry.
Casting
Our Casting Department champion diversity in all forms and are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive audition environment where actors are empowered to do their best work.
Immersive storytelling
Our Immersive Storytelling Studio is our award-winning development lab for virtual reality, 360˚ film, augmented reality and other emerging technologies.