New Dramaturgy – ND Writing and Production Award

A new award for Italian dramaturgy

The «New Dramaturgy – ND» writing and production award was established in Rome through the initiative of the Accademia Nazionale d'Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico and the Compagnia Mauri Sturno. The project addresses one of the most pressing needs in contemporary Italian theatre: providing a voice, space, and production resources to new authors, guiding an unpublished text from the page to the stage. It is not merely a literary competition, but a comprehensive journey that bridges writing, selection, and professional staging.

How it works: two awards in one path

The call for entries is divided into two distinct yet interconnected phases. The first is the Writing Award, open to authors who have not yet turned 41 by the deadline, who are invited to submit an original, unpublished dramatic text that has not won other competitions, accompanied by a synopsis and curriculum vitae. The second is the Production Award, which transforms the winning text into a full-scale production thanks to a total prize fund of 60,000 euros, intended to cover costs for staging, rehearsals, the debut, and subsequent performances.

• Selection dedicated to new Italian dramaturgy for those under 41
• Professional writing contract and copyright assignment for the author
• Direction and cast members must be graduates of the Accademia or recognized AFAM institutions
• At least 80% of the artistic cast must be under 35

The 2026-2027 calendar

The project spans several months of work: the deadline for the Writing Award is July 26, 2026, with the winning text announced by July 31. This is followed by the Production Award phase, with the winning company announced on October 23, 2026. Rehearsals and staging take place in December 2026, leading up to the show's debut in January 2027.

The venues: the Mattatoio and the Accademia

The heart of the project is the Mattatoio in Rome, located in the Testaccio district, with the La Pelanda spaces hosting the debut and performances; the directorial work also takes place at the Teatro Studio Eleonora Duse, the historic home of the Accademia. Rome, the capital of the Lazio region and the hub of Italian theatrical training, offers new dramaturgy an excellent context where academic tradition and contemporary research converge.

Why it matters

The jury, composed of representatives from the Accademia, the Compagnia Mauri Sturno, and prominent figures such as playwright Letizia Russo, evaluates submissions based on quality and originality. The New Dramaturgy Award thus establishes itself as a stable platform for emerging theatrical writing, providing continuity and concrete production opportunities for those who too often struggle to see their works brought to life on stage.