KATHMANDU: If you love writing and telling stories, there is good news for you. NG group is organising a national level playwriting competition for all writing enthusiasts out there! An announcement of the National Playwriting Competition was made at a press meet held at Mandala Theatre, on July 28.

Interested writers can send the first draft of their short plays (English or Nepali language) in not more than 1,000 words to the organiser. Among the received plays, top 10 plays will be selected by a panel of judges. The judges include actor, writer and director Anup Baral, writer Anbika Giri, and poet, lyricist, story and scriptwriter Upendra Subba, as per Nabina Aryal, Project Co-ordinator of NG group.

These 10 shortlisted writers will get an opportunity to take part in a playwriting masterclass by Mahesh Dattani, Indian director, actor, playwright and writer. And from among these 10 plays, the jury members will again select the top three plays. The playwrights of these three selected plays will get to participate in a workshop along with 12 other writers selected by NG group. One best script from among the three selected plays will be chosen by the jury and will be staged. The top three plays will also be published as a book.

“We aim to connect theatre to literature, promote playwriting as a rewarding experience, and reach more audience through this competition,” Aryal shared during the conference.

Short plays can be sent to ngsamuha@gmail.com or in P O Box 398. The plays can also be dropped at dropboxes kept in Mandala Theatre, Anamnagar, Sarwanam Theatre, Kalikasthan, Shilpee Theatre, Battisputali and Theatre Mall, Sundhara.

The deadline for submission of the plays is August 28.