New competition for playwrights

The 2012 SCrIBE initiative is the inaugural competition and will be an annual event. It is the brainchild of the Imbewu Trust, a non-profit organisation set up to nurture and promote the contemporary theatre industry, providing a platform for new works as well as showcasing the best of South African theatre on an international stage. The Imbewu Trust was founded by highly acclaimed director and teacher Paul Griffiths, Sam de Romijn, who is a seasoned theatre teacher, performer and stage manager, and accountant and business consultant Paul Dickson.

Nothing changes without a dream

"South African theatre makers have their own unique stories to tell. As part of our objective to promote and enhance new contemporary theatre, Imbewu created the SCrIBE Script Writing Competition," says de Romijn.

"This is an incredible opportunity for a playwright to have access to top theatre skills and to have his or her play presented," says de Romijn. "Imbewu is the Xhosa word for 'seed' and to quote Debby Boone, 'Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream'. So I call on all those writers who have been dreaming to get their play produced on stage and enter the competition. We are looking for works of outstanding quality and original content and which represent the depth and range of our theatre landscape. We are starting this first year with the Western Cape and hope to be able to open up the competition to entries from all over the
country next year."

Scripts must be in English, no longer than 40 pages or 80 minutes, and have no more than five cast members. Scripts must be submitted as a word document via e-mail together with the entry form which can be found on the Imbewu website. Closing date for entries is 1 August and the winner will announced on 31 August.

Go to www.imbewuarts.com for the entry form and further information.