We’re BACK! We are thrilled The Script’s The Thing 3! is happening on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October 2026.

100 writers present work at all stages of development for stage, screen, audio and all performance.  It’s a chance to meet, chat, connect and celebrate writing for performance over two days and nine performance spaces.

Alongside the scripts (all in 15 minute slots) there are events, workshops, speakers and opportunities.  Writers, actors, directors, designers and most crucially – AUDIENCES! – will once again be enjoying new work at all stages of development.

Our previous Festivals have shown how important The Script’s The Thing is becoming both locally and nationally.

Previous scripts at the Festival have gone on to further development with NT Generate, Mayflower Studios, Pipeline – Lighthouse, regional and national tours.  

It’s a great opportunity to spark conversations with arts venues and organisations in Dorset, across the wider South West and nationally. We are very grateful to The Backstage Trust for funding this year’s Festival.

Submissions

Our Festival is an opportunity for writers to present their work. 

It might be a scratch presentation: with you reading all the parts, you might meet actors on the day who can read script in-hand, you might rehearse with actors you know, you might have developed the piece ready to tour and be presenting an extract to attract the attention of programmers and producers and/or providing a preview to test audience reactions.  

We welcome work on screen if it’s a short film/animation, but we emphasise the importance of making a connection to the audience.  

We welcome writers of all ages, but you’ll need to be 16+ to actually bring your work to the Festival, and please note that an adult must register for an account with CuratorSpace in order to submit for children under 18 years.

If you are under 16, then you would also need to let us know in your submission that you have people aged 16 and over who will be managing the presentation of your work at the Festival.

If there are themes in your work that could cause offence, please indicate them in your submission.  

You can include trigger warnings within your 100-word copy or say – e.g. strong language/adult humour – if it is not clear from the title or description what your work may cover.

What do the audience really need to get your work?  

You have 15 minutes which include any introducing of yourself and your work, scene setting, and you must complete within the 15 minutes (this does not include any time you need to set-up anything vital to your presentation – tune that harp, sort out positioning of chairs, set up animals etc – please don’t bring animals.. haha).  

Please be minimal with technical requirements and mindful of the writers presenting work before and after your slot.

When you submit, we really want to see what you plan to bring to the Festival and how it will benefit you as a writer.  

We are not looking for everything to be in place when you make your submission (you can work on your writing right up until the day of the Festival!) so please do think about what it is you’re bringing and what you’re getting to get from the Festival before you make a submission.  

Remember: you don’t have to bring work to the Festival to attend, so if you’ve never been before, do consider coming along to get a feel for the Festival and take the opportunity to attend all the brilliant events - and meet like-minded people!

How do you make your selection?

Our panel of readers are looking for 100 scripts for this year’s Festival across all performance writing (stage/screen/audio/VR/etc) and all genres (drama/comedy/suspense/thriller etc) and all styles (contemporary/family/musical etc.)

While we predominantly favour scripts from writers with a strong connection to Dorset and the wider South West, we are open to scripts from anywhere.  

There is no charge for submitting a script, but if selected for this year’s Festival, we ask you for £15 to secure your slot.  

This helps pay for some of the costs of setting up performance spaces, printing the programme, and marketing the Festival.  

It also – we hope – commits you to bringing your work to the Festival as the slots are always in high demand.

Remember – you don’t have to bring work to come to the Festival, there are plenty of things – ALL FREE - to get involved with.  

You are responsible for the presentation of the work – how you do this is completely up to you. 

Watch our highlights videos from 2023 and 2025 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=IXV69wn-lMm6kd4R&v=UkxNN3mAQW4&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE-MxrCJoGw