Have you done your time in community theatre?
Have you been 'round the traps in co-op productions?
Are you ready to break through into the world of professional playwriting?
Then this is your big break and the opportunity of a lifetime.

The Australian Writers' Guild together with Inscription is delighted to present this once-in a-lifetime professional development opportunity for an emerging playwright.

Run with the sponsorship of The United States Studies Centre, the "Friends of Inscription", the Australia Council Literature Board, and the Albee Foundation, this very special award provides the recipient with:

• Six weeks at The Albee Foundation in Montauk, Long Island NY in the Summer 2011.
• Project mentoring from esteemed US playwright, Will Eno.
• Meetings in New York and LA with Inscription master teachers.
• Travel expenses and per diems.
• Industry reading at The Griffin Theatre Company on return from the US.

Edward Albee, the world's greatest living playwright and triple Pulitzer Award winner, broke through with his first theatrical hit at age 30: Zoo Story. Like Albee, many Australian playwrights spend a tough, grinding apprenticeship on the "fringe" scene before making their big break.

In support of the "cusp" artist, Edward Albee, together with Inscription and the AWG, is inviting an emerging playwright to spend six weeks writing a new play script at the Albee Foundation in Long Island, New York in the U.S. Summer of 2011 with mentoring by Will Eno.

This unique play development and networking opportunity places the lucky recipient at the centre of the world's pre-eminent theatre scene.

To be eligible to apply for this residency, applicants must be:

• a permanent resident or Australian citizen;
• a (full or Associate) member of the Australian Writers' Guild;
• a playwright who has had experience writing for co-op productions or community theatre, but has not been credited as the Writer for a professionally produced, full-length play in Australia or in a comparable market internationally;
• available in 2011 between June and September to take up the residency;

and

• have a new project they would like to develop during the residency.

For guidelines and an entry form, head to the AWG website.

Applications close Friday, 11 February.