This writers’ programme forms part of a long-term commitment from the National Theatre of Scotland to developing South Asian theatre artists, and platforming their work.
The programme provides a paid opportunity for two South Asian playwrights based in Scotland to develop a new play each, 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.
This programme recognises that South Asian writers face specific barriers to developing their craft and accessing a ladder of progression to professional production opportunities, rooted in historic marginalisation and underinvestment.
Programme submission details will be announced in January 2026.
South Asian Playwrights’ Programme is a new collaboration between the National Theatre of Scotland, A Play A Pie and A Pint ,Playwrights’ Studio Scotland and Bijli Productions .
South Asian Scratch Night at the Citizens Theatre
Curated and presented by Niloo-Far Khan and Kal Sabir
8 October, 2026
The South Asian Scratch Nightpresents an evening of extracts of new work by artists of South Asian heritage based in Scotland.
Curated and presented by Niloo-Far Khan and Kal Sabir of South Asian Artists in Scotland, four artists and/or collectives will be chosen from a call-out to present 10–15-minute extracts of new work at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow on Thursday 8 October 2026.
This is a chance for artists to share an idea and see what works in front of a live audience. All forms of storytelling are welcome – theatre, performance, music, movement, spoken word, comedy, film or something completely different. There are no restrictions on genre or theme, bold, playful, and experimental ideas are encouraged.
South Asian Artists in Scotland is a new grassroots labour of love run by creatives Niloo-Far Khan and Kal Sabir. Its goals are to champion artists of South Asian heritage through connections, collaborations, and call-outs, and to build bridges with existing networks and platforms in Scotland.
Full application details for the South Asian Scratch Night will be announced in 2026.
Presented by South Asian Artists in Scotland
In association with National Theatre of Scotland and the Citizens Theatre
South Asian Project
Both the South Asian Playwrights’ Programme and South Asian Scratch Night are part of The South Asian Project, established by National Theatre of Scotland in 2021 to enable the company to engage more significantly with South Asian artists and communities in Scotland, with an overall aim, over time, to develop new ideas for productions, forge new connections within communities and to reach new audiences.
