With the goal of providing a platform for young theatre artists to share their ideas, skills and performance, Nepal’s first play writing competition is slated to be held this August, organisers announced on Thursday.

At a press-meet held at the Mandala Theatre in the Capital, the organisers, NG group—a youth-led Kathmandu-based artist group—made a call for submissions, which close on August 28. “Playwriting Competition for Young Writers initiative is the first of its kind in Nepal. Its primary objective is to promote and facilitate the writing of original content for a theatre production, and perform final selected play in Kathmandu for a limited time,” a released statement read. It added that the competition would be adjudicated by theatre artist Anup Baral, writer Upendra Subba and novelist Anbika Giri.

Following the contest, 10 shortlisted playwrights will be invited to participate in a closed workshop with Mahesh Dattani. The winners will be awarded on Oct 30 and the Best Play among the entries is slated to be staged in theatres in the Capital for a fortnight in December. 

Along with the NG group, Siddhartha Art Foundation’s Education Initiative and the Danish Center for Culture and Development will be supporting the contest. Organisers say they plan on replicating the event annually in the future.