National Theatre of Scotland are recruiting two Trainee Dramaturgs who identify as South Asian, to support the development of new plays being written by playwrights selected for their South Asian Playwrights’ Programme.

The South Asian Playwrights’ Programme provides two paid opportunities for Scottish South Asian playwrights. Each writer will develop a new play with support from professional dramaturgs, actors and directors, ahead of the play being licenced and further developed and produced by A Play, A Pie and A Pint, in a future season of their work.

They are looking for Scotland-based South Asian artists, with an interest/experience in developing new performance work, to join the team to support a writer in the development of a first draft of a new play. This would be an ideal opportunity for emerging playwrights, screen writers or script editors looking to develop their own skills in textual analysis, critical thinking and working with writers/ plays.

Key Activities
• To be assigned to one of the plays as Trainee Dramaturg to work alongside the lead Dramaturg on that play
• To read and note each draft of the play
• To attend a meeting with the Dramaturg to discuss collective notes on each draft
• To attend any other meetings with the Dramaturg and Writer as required within the agreed programme of activity
• To meet with the Dramaturg and Writer as necessary
• Attend two development workshops on the play
• Other duties helpful to further developing dramaturgical skills with the partners, eg script reading for Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland


Eligibility
Applicants must:
• be 18 years or over
• not currently be in full-time education
• be based in Scotland
• identify as South Asian or of mixed/ South Asian Heritage
• have some experience in supporting the dramaturgical development of new drama. They recognise that this experience may come from roles other than dramaturgy in a theatrical production process (such as writing, producing or administrative roles, assistant directing, performing etc or from work in screen or audio drama)

Terms and Conditions of Engagement
Fee: £213.36 per day of engagement
Status: Freelance, five days of engagement
Place of work: The work will take place remotely and in Glasgow
Time: various dates to be agreed, likely between late June – December 2026

For further information, please contact ad@nationaltheatrescotland.com or visit https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/jobs/trainee-dramaturg-south-asian-playwrights-programme.

A collaboration between the National Theatre of Scotland, A Play, A Pie and a Pint, Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland and Bijli Productions.