The 2008 JMK Award

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2008 AWARD ARE NOW CLOSED

This year Nicholas Hytner, Artistic Director of the National Theatre, was invited to select 25 classic plays that he would most like to see produced. All applicants must select one text from this list for the purposes of their application. This is to avoid confusion in deciding what constitutes a classic and to ensure that our emphasis is on the ingenuity and vision of each individual director rather than the merits of the proposed play.

Please note that, as in previous years, it will remain the responsibility of all applicants to ensure that they have the rights to their chosen text. Where a translation is required it will be the responsibility of the applicant to choose this translation and to acquire the rights for it.

General guidelines for all applicants:  

- You must not be more than 30 years of age on the 1st January 2008  

- You must not have directed more than two professional productions, including fringe productions
(or any production with a professional cast)  

- You must have some professional training in the performing arts  

ROUND ONE:  

No application form is needed, but please submit:   

- No more than 100 to 500 words on your choice of text  

- No more than 100 to 500 words on your proposed production  

- No more than 100 to 500 words on your proposed work process to rehearse the production  

- A single page CV with all relevant details, including your date of birth  

At this stage please do not send illustrations.  

Submissions are accepted by email or post.  

All postal proposals should be typewritten.  

Please head any emails 'JMK Trust'.  
The closing date for completed initial applications is Monday 7th January 2008.

ROUND TWO:  

Twenty shortlisted candidates will then be contacted by phone on Monday 14th January. They will be sent details of the performance space and BAC's facilities, and will be asked to develop their ideas further. This involves submitting a proposed production budget, a design and production team and any design ideas for the production or particular marketing strategies.  

ROUND THREE:  

A shortlist of eight candidates are invited to a workshop weekend at BAC in London at the end of March 2008 (date TBC). It will consist of one practical day working with actors and one day of interviews with a selection committee at which you will be invited to make a short verbal presentation of your ideas and to present a model box of your set design. 

The recipient of the award will be notified by the following Monday.
Space at BAC for the rehearsals and production will be provided in July/August 2008.

Further advice for applicants:
Ideas for your production should ideally be rooted in an appreciation of the text and its world, themes and concerns. Applicants should avoid trying to write what they imagine we would wish to read. Whether they be fantastically visionary or purely practical, try and communicate your thoughts, drives and ideas as clearly and directly as possible. All proposals should be typewritten.