Calling all literary writers! Have you always wanted, but never got the chance, to write a play? Ever wondered if your poems, short stories, or graphic novels might translate as a theatre production?
In this special edition of Playwright’s Cove, titled Playwright’s Cove 2026: From Page to Stage, four literary writers across all genres will have the opportunity to do so! go through a rigorous playwriting workshop from June to November 2026, where you will learn more about character, dialogue, structure and narrative. Each writer will write a brand-new play adapted from your chosen literary text. At the end of the programme, the participants’ plays will be given a public reading by professional actors.
This iteration of The Necessary Stage’s highly successful Playwright’s Cove will see Resident Playwright and Cultural Medallion recipient Haresh Sharma leading and mentoring a small group of literary artists.
We believe such a cross-genre collaboration promises to create exciting theatrical explorations, and we are excited to have you join us on this journey!
For Playwright’s Cove 2026: From Page to Stage, our participants are:
Ahmad Syarif
Daryl Qilin Yam
Rachelyn d/o Gordon
Noonherd
They will be presenting their works-in-progress as a culmination of the workshop, and more information about this will be released in the third quarter of 2026! Watch this space!
Background
In 2001, TNS launched Playwrights’ Cove, a development and mentorship programme aimed at nurturing, processing and platforming contemporary playwriting for Singapore theatre. Many of its participants are well-known practitioners and educators today, including Jean Tay, Ng Yi-sheng, Natalie Hennedige, Kenneth Kwok and Matthew Lyon.
We re-launched Playwrights' Cove in 2020 and subsequently had a second iteration in 2022. Both years saw 10 selected participants undergo training and mentorship by Resident Playwright Haresh Sharma. More information about previous editions of Playwrights' Cove can be found at the links below:
Playwrights Cove 2020
Playwrights' Cove 2022
Playwrights' Cove 2024