Mansfield Palace Theatre is offering young or early career playwrights the chance to gain experience in developing new writing.

Its Learning and Aspiration team is running a week-long development programme for four selected writers as part of its Write Track – First Steps initiative.

The writers will get to work with professional actors and a director to develop their plays. At the end of the week, there will be a rehearsed reading of the plays, while performing students from West Nottinghamshire College will also be involved in the project.

Christopher Neil, Mansfield District Council’s learning and aspiration manager, said: “If you are a young writer, or a writer at the start of your career, then this is a very exciting opportunity to get your work developed with loads of professional input.

“We are all about showcasing local talent and can’t wait to get started with the lucky applicants.”

There are two categories for playwrights — young playwrights, aged 18 to 25, and those over 18 but who are at the start of their careers as playwrights.

To apply or for further information, send your current play (it doesn’t have to be completed) to Christopher at [email protected]

The deadline for submissions is Friday, 31st March and the development week will take place from Monday 7th to Friday, 11th April.