Playwrights are invited to submit either a sketch of up to 2500 words, which includes a story outline - beginning, middle, end - location and time, character profile, style of the piece and an example of 3 scenes with dialogue; or a draft of a complete play of up to 30 - 45 minutes.
A Consortium of companies and theater producers in Wales, offers a comprehensive package to the winning playwright to develop work and open a wider door to the theatre industry in Wales. The award is a commission to write/develop a play in a detailed process to enable the playwright to extend his creative skills, in a safe environment, with the aim of producing an original piece of standard work for the theatre.
The adjudication panel will choose the most outstanding playwright from among the applications to be awarded with the playwright's medal. The panel will be looking for a playwright who creates impressive, exciting work and challenges the imagination and mindset of an audience.
Prize: Medal y Dramodydd (in memory of Eiryth and Urien Wiliam, from their children, Hywel, Sioned and Steffan) a £3000 (Cware ac Olew Trefigin)
Closing date: 7 January 2026
A sum of money that has been collectively contributed by the Consortium and the Eisteddfod and earmarked as a prize that would contribute towards the career development of the playwright, as well as costs associated with the mentoring package. In addition to the financial prize, a sum of money from the Consortium will be set aside for developing the winner's work.
As part of the mentoring package, the panel, in consultation with the winner, will appoint the most suitable performance/production company/s within the Consortium according to the winning playwright's style of work. The development process ends with a reading of the full script at the Eisteddfod the following year.
In addition, as part of the mentoring package, opportunities will be offered by the wider Consortium to include:
- Opportunity to shadow
- Opportunities to meet the team;
- Invitations to network;
- Career advice;
- Complementary tickets to see specific productions.
The details will be agreed with the winner and consortium after the Eisteddfod.
Consortium: Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Frân Wen, Theatr Bara Caws, Theatr Clwyd, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Theatr Sherman, Theatr y Torch, Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch
Special conditions of the Playwright's Medal
- The play should not have been professionally produced, received any awards, or been published, to be eligible for this award.
- A play/plays that have not already been presented to any of the Consortium members can be submitted.
- Can be submitted as a co-writer, sharing the financial prize and the experience associated with the prize.
- The development process ends with a reading of the full script at the Eisteddfod the following year. The Consortium will have the right for 6 months after the reading to make the first proposal in order to develop the work further for a full production. After that the rights are returned to the playwright
Closing date: 7 January 2026 at 12 noon
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