Play on Words

The competition is for new one-act plays by playwrights based in Scotland. The winning script will be selected in spring 2027. The winning script will have a rehearsed reading at the Scottish One-Act Festival in Greenock in April 2027 and receive a prize of £500. Copies of the top three plays will be held in the SCDA National Library in Stirling and receive publicity in the SCDA’s magazine SCENE.

Judging: -All plays will be read by at least three assessors from a panel appointed by SCDA to determine a short list of the best plays. These will then be reviewed by a professional judge to select a winner. All short-listed entrants will receive a brief basic feedback on their script. The top three will receive detailed written feedback from the final judge. The judge’s decision will be final.

Rules:- Entries must be one-act plays with a running length of at least 20 minutes and not more than 55 minutes. They must have at least two speaking characters. Entries must not have been previously published or publicly performed. Copyright remains with the author. If a play is intended for young performers, (under-18), this should be specified. Scripts must be typed and legible. They should contain a cast list and synopsis but must not contain the writer’s name or any other information that could identify them. Scripts should be submitted in A4 portrait format, using a plain 12pt font, with headings and numbered pages. Entries should be emailed to POW@drama.scot with the script and completed entry form attached as separate pdf files. If you use the on-line entry form, the play can be attached as a pdf. Receipt will be acknowledged by email with details of how to pay the entry fee – see below.