Melbourne Writers' Theatre

Founded in 1982, Melbourne Writers’ Theatre (MWT) exists to support emerging Victorian playwrights in the creation of their plays, their skills and careers. We do this by promoting opportunities for the development and presentation of new playwriting, creating our own opportunities where there is needed. Our rich annual offerings include the playwriting programs Page to Stage, Gasworks Script Lab and The Green Room Project; production opportunities such as The Metropolis Monologues and The Amethyst Award; monthly online Writing Workshops; and our UNESCO Writer-in-Residence program.

At a time when arts funding cuts and rising living costs have forced the scaling back or closure of independent theatre companies and collectives across Victoria, MWT remains committed to nurturing new theatre. We believe that every playwright, regardless of their cultural, educational or economic background, deserves the chance to have their play presented in a funded theatrical season. Our ‘names off scripts’ submission policy ensures a script selection process that is 100% merit-based, and since 2020 we have staged scripts by 67 previously unknown playwrights. As a membership-based organisation powered by volunteers, we draw on our members’ subscription fees to fund these projects, together with limited federal and local government funding, philanthropic funding, and box office takings. We are proud to provide paid employment for each of the 85+ actors, directors and crew members we engage each year, but we want to remunerate them at higher, industry rates. This is absolutely our current priority, and any funding we receive will be used for this purpose.

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