Overview

We are recruiting two Trainee Dramaturgs who identify as South Asian, to support the development of new plays being written by playwrights selected for our 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.

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.

We are lookung 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 a notes meeting with the Writer and Dramaturg on each draft
• To meet with the Dramaturg snd Writer as necessary
• Attend two development workshops on the play
• 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. We recognise that this experience may come from roles other than dramaturgy in a theatrical production process (such as 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 and December 2026

Application Process

Closing date: 5pm 31st May 2026

Interviews will be held Friday 12th Jun 2026

If you need this information in another format or have any queries about the role, contact AD@nationaltheatrescotland.com with subject line 'Trainee Dramaturg: South Asian Playwrights' Programme' or call 0141 221 0970.

Stage 1: To apply please submit your application via this application link below. This application should include a cover letter and your CV or your biography. Please see below for more information on what to include to support your application.
Once you have submitted your application you will be automatically redirected to our anonymous Diversity Monitoring Form. This should only take 5mins to fill out and is the final part of the application process.

Stage 2: Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview on Friday 12th June with Rosie Kellagher, Dramaturg at National Theatre of Scotland, and Louise Stephens, Creative Director at Playwrights' Studio Scotland.

Application Information

To apply, you are required to upload a cover letter and CV (or more detailed biography) and let us know of any access requirements you may have.

Your Cover Letter and CV

This is the most important part of your application.
Across your CV and cover letter you should explain how you meet the Essential Person Criteria.

Cover Letter

In your cover letter please provide at least two or three good examples of your real-life experience you can draw on that demonstrates you meet the requirements. Please also respond to the following questions:

• Why do you want this position and what makes you the ideal candidate?
• Why are you particularly interested in this opportunity?

It is important to remember that those involved in the selection process cannot guess or make assumptions about you. Make sure you tell us everything relevant to your application.
Your cover letter should be at least one page long and no more than two (in 11pt font size).

CV

In your CV, please list the skills, experience and knowledge you have developed in your different roles (personally or professionally), which will further support examples provided in your cover letter.
Your CV/biography should be no longer than two pages and (at 11-point font size).
Finally - do not forget to proofread (spellcheck) your letter and check for any errors before submitting it.
A shortlist of candidates will be invited to interview