The Bruntwood Prize is back for 2022

We are delighted to launch and open to entries for the 2022 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. The biennial prize – which seeks scripts from established, emerging and debut writers to develop for the stage – is a partnership between property company Bruntwood, a major supporter of the arts, and world-class producing theatre, the Royal Exchange Theatre, in Manchester.

Open to both established writers and members of the public with no writing experience, the Bruntwood Prize is now recognised as a launch-pad for some of the country’s most respected and produced playwrights and screenwriters. The judging process is completely anonymous, meaning each entry will be judged entirely on its own merit. Winning plays are selected across four categories, with each winner entering into a development process with the Royal Exchange Theatre in an endeavour to bring their work to production.

The 2022 Prize will be split across four categories. As in previous years, there will be an overall winner of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, who takes home £16,000 as well as one £8,000 Judges Award, and the £8,000 International Award, introduced in 2019, open to international playwrights who can apply through partner organisations.

This year also sees the introduction of a new category: the North West Original New Voice Award and Residency, in recognition of the Prize’s Manchester home. The winner must be from the North West of England and, in addition to winning £8,000, they will also receive an additional £10,000 fee to cover working two days a week at the Royal Exchange Theatre during a bespoke one year residency at the Royal Exchange Theatre in partnership with Bruntwood and the Oglesby Charitable Trust.

Submissions for the 2022 Prize are open until 6th June 2022.

Those looking to try their hand at playwriting for the first time can find a wealth of free resources including hugely popular online workshops from some of the industry’s top professionals on the Write a Play website here.

Kate Vokes, Non-Executive Director at Bruntwood, commented: “We’re incredibly passionate about supporting creative projects that encourage participation and uphold the cultural vitality of the UK’s cities. For us, a dynamic arts and cultural scene is a huge part of that, giving communities the chance to learn, to debate, to discover ideas and new ways of thinking, and ultimately providing the opportunity for people to get their voice heard. That’s why we are proud to support the Bruntwood Prize for the seventeenth year."

Roy Alexander Weise, Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre comments: “The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting is extraordinary. It is a brilliant vehicle for storytellers and storytelling. It encourages anyone, regardless of experience or background, to share their story with us. Regardless of where they begin; over 2000 new stories will be brought to life. That feels so exciting.

"As Joint Artistic Director of the Exchange, supporting the development of new work and creating space for new voices and a home for writers is vital to both our growth as a producing theatre and our industry as a whole. Furthermore, with the launch of the North West Residency Award this year, we will be able to create a significant opportunity for a writer from our region. To relaunch the Bruntwood Prize in 2022, from our home in the heart of Manchester and with our brilliant partners Bruntwood, feels more important than ever. I cannot wait to read these scripts”.