Playmarket

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Playmarket is a not-for-profit organisation providing script advisory services, representation for playwrights in New Zealand and access to New Zealand plays.

Playmarket was founded in 1973 to encourage the professional production of New Zealand plays. The organisation now represents a substantial majority of New Zealand theatrical writers. Playmarket is also a script development service and a publisher of plays.[1]

History[]

Playmarket was founded by Robert Lord,[2] Nonnita Rees, Judy Russell and Ian Fraser, initially as a script reading service. During the first eighteen months of the organisation, Playmarket licensed a total of 15 productions. By comparison, it currently licenses around 400 productions of New Zealand plays each year, both in New Zealand and around the world.[3]

Structure[]

Registering as a non-profit making incorporated society in 1975, the membership of the Society now meets annually to review activities, receive the annual reports and elect a board. During the year the board meets to determine policy, establish budgets and monitor the activities of the organisation. Playmarket receives core funding from Creative New Zealand.[3]

Play publication[]

Playmarket sells published New Zealand plays. The bookshop is available online at their website which also provides profiles of New Zealand playwrights and titles. The bookshop also has a database of unpublished scripts. Many of the best scripts have flexible cast numbers and suitable for schools and students.[1]

Published playwrights[]

Client writers and published playwrights include Roger Hall, Hone Kouka, Renee, Dave Armstrong (playwright), Gary Henderson (playwright), Jean Betts, Michelanne Forster, Robert Lord (playwright), Bruce Mason, Ken Duncum, David Geary, Alison Quigan.

Playmarket Annual[]

Playmarket publishes a magazine called Playmarket Annual. The magazine provides a review of the previous year of theatrical activity in New Zealand.

Client services[]

Playmarket services for their playwright clients include;

  • Promotion and circulation of scripts to potential directors and producers both in New Zealand and overseas
  • Monitoring the collection and distribution of royalty payments
  • Negotiation of all contracts and commissions
  • Troubleshooting, support and advocacy during production
  • Copyright advice
  • Collection of scripts, biographies and production information
  • Priority eligibility for script development, publication, conferences and special events[1]

Membership[]

For a nominal annual fee, people can become members of Playmarket.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Playmarket Annual". 4 May 2016. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ "Inside the Dunedin's Robert Lord Writers Cottage, the small home where writers get big ideas". thisNZlife. 2019-11-15. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Playmarket 40. Playmarket. 2013. ISBN 978-0-908607-45-7.
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