ATYP, FRESH INK NATIONAL MENTORING PROGRAM

Fresh Ink is a Mentoring program for emerging playwrights aged 18-26. Focusing on writer development rather than script development; it is about long-term investment in new voices rather than being an outcome driven program. This approach yield brilliant results. 

Since it’s conception in 2009, Fresh Ink has run continuously in various forms, supporting almost 100 writers in Sydney, Melbourne, Geelong, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth. ATYP has partnered with organisations including Barking Gecko (Perth), Brown’s Mart (Darwin), Melbourne Theatre Company and Victorian College of the Arts 

(Melbourne), Urban Myth and Carclew (Adelaide), La Boite and Queensland Theatre (Brisbane) to deliver the program. Australian Plays donates a year’s subscription to each participant. 

A group of emerging writers in each city (selected from an open call-out for applications) meet monthly (over 9 months) with a local mentor for a day of skill and craft development, dramaturgical support, and to establish peer and industry connections. Participants also develop a 15 minute play which receives a low-key reading mid-year, concluding in a full 30 minute work which receives a reading at the end of the year. The readings are directed by professional directors and performed by young actors. 

Jibb Foundation has proudly supported Fresh Ink since 2019.