Entry forms for TheatreFest
Nau mai, tēnā koutou katoa. Nau mai ano ki te TheatreFest 2025.
Welcome to TheatreFest 2025.
The closing date for submitting an Entry Form depends on the date of the local TheatreFest. Groups/schools will be advised of these dates in due course.
For the TheatreFest performances "Conditions of Entry" go to the link: - https://theatrenewzealand.co.nz/index.php/theatrefest/information/conditions-of-entry
The first thing you need to do is determine which TNZ region you are in. If you know, just click on the regional image below. If you don't then you can have a look at the regional map here, or you can contact us at
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Playmarket Playwriting Award
Playmarket Award: New work from Aotearoa. Pounamu Award donated by Nannette Wright, in
recognition of Olga E Harding who, for many years, was actively involved with the British Drama League (BDL) and who, after the formation of NZTF (now TNZ), became one of its Presidents.
The Award is generously sponsored by Playmarket.
This award is an important part of Theatre New Zealand’s TheatreFest and is awarded annually for the best new script of a presentation entered into TheatreFest that year.
The Play is assessed separately from the productions and is not seen by the assessor. The outcome is not known till the awards on final night.
The requirements of the Award is that it is to be up to 50 minutes performing time and that it receives a production in a Local TheatreFest in the year that the script is written and that it has not had a public performance more than three month prior to being presented at the local TheatreFest.
The benefits of entering are, therefore, two-fold. The script is assessed in order to allow the playwright positive feedback on their writing, which will assist with any future writing and they also get to see a live production of their script on stage.
Details of the 2025 Playmarket Playwriting Award, New NZ play are -
- the entry fee is $30 for adults and $20 for students (up to 20 yrs old) paid into TNZ’s bank account 03 0802 0134721 00.
- for 2025 there will be a $250 monetary prize for the winning script.
- entries close on Monday 18 August 2025 and the entry form needs to be completed online and the script emailed to –
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - each script is to be entered with a non-deplume.
- each script will receive a written assessment.
- the winning entry will be announced at this year’s TheatreFest National Final in Auckland on Sunday 15 September
The assessor for 2025 is Angie Farrow of Wellington
Assessor’s Criteria
- Character: are the characters clearly distinguished, well-developed, consistent and interesting.
- Story Structure: is the story well set-up, developed and resolved. Is the identity and goal of the protagonist clear? Is their journey plausible, surprising, and engaging?
- Theatrical Potential: is there action (including character interaction) or just exposition. Are elements of set, lighting, sound and/or movement suggested which will support and enhance the story.
- Imagination: has the playwright created a world worth looking at, been novel or brave in selecting elements of that world. Does the writer seek to take the audience on a journey beyond everyday experience, or deeper into everyday experience?
- Ideas and Intentions: what themes is the writer exploring. How well do they facilitate this?
Click on the Playmarket Logo Below to launch the entry form.
Poster Exhibition
Have you got some great poster designs? Email copies of A4 posters from up to two of your productions over the past 12 months.
They will be assessed by a leading designer and winners announced at the AGM 20th September 2025.
The entry form is at the link below. Deadline 31st August 2025
https://forms.gle/LYabb6jskvqg7FKP6