Platfform Call Out: Creating Theatre for Young Audiences

Theatr Iolo have launched their biennial Platfform call out, inviting Welsh and Wales based writers and theatre makers to inspire them with new work for the stage, written especially for young people.  

The children’s theatre company, who are based in Cardiff, are asking writers and theatre makers to submit their ideas for a young audience of any age between 3 and 16 years. They are keen to receive scripts and ideas in English, Welsh, British Sign Language or any combination of these.  Writers have two months to develop their ideas before the submission deadline on the 9 June.  

“Platfform is an opportunity for writers and theatre makers to experiment in ways that they may not have done before. Writing for young people offers endless creative possibilities and we’re looking forward to receiving ideas that reflect and represent the wide range of backgrounds of young people in Wales, as well as their experiences.” 

Lee Lyford  
Artistic Director, Theatr Iolo 

Theatr Iolo Artistic Director, Lee Lyford, will choose two writers/theatre makers to explore their idea further. The individuals will be offered up to £2500 to develop their idea, as well as mentorship from Lee Lyford. Following this first stage of development, both artists will then be offered an additional 12 months of in-kind support and expert guidance from Theatr Iolo. This support will include advice, training and support with funding applications, producing, touring, budgeting and marketing.

Theatr Iolo are hopeful that the project will discover new work that can be developed into full-scale, future productions. In previous years, Platfform has led to the development of Krystal S. Lowe’s family dance piece, Remarkable Rhythm, and Kyle Lima’s The Welsh Dragon, which is due to tour Wales later this year.

If you have an idea for a new play, send us a script, excerpt of a new script or the seed of a proposal for a devised piece by emailing hello@theatriolo.com by Sunday 9 June 2024. We welcome ideas in a written or video format.

For full details, visit theatriolo.com/platform

KEY DATES

Deadline for submissions: Sunday 9 June 2024
Chosen artists announced: Monday 1 July 2024
Research and development period: Between July and December 2024