New Views
New Views is a year-long in-school playwriting programme for students aged 14-19. Each school is paired with a professional playwright who supports students to write their own original 30-minute plays.
The programme includes teacher CPD, tickets to one of our productions and entry into a competition where selected plays are performed at the National Theatre.
The New Views Festival 2024 took place on 4 and 5 July, at the National Theatre.
The New Views programme is taking a pause for this academic year, returning September 2025. Do sign up to our schools newsletter here to be updated when applications open.
From September 2024 we will be completing a deep-dive evaluation of the programme. All participating schools will be invited to take part in this process. Look out for more details in September.
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What is New Views?
The New Views programme empowers students to:
- Tell stories that matter to them
- Develop playwriting techniques such as independent working, communication, and research through feedback
- Understand the power of theatre to create a shared experience of storytelling
- Explore and communicate ideas on the changing world
-
Present different perspectives
Teachers will:
- Gain skills as practical facilitators
- Learn how to explore a range of relevant topics through creative writing
How New Views works
Any school or college can apply to take part in New Views. The programme is for school years 10–13, although slightly younger students may take part.
The cost for participation in New Views is:
State schools: £300
Independent schools: £600
Bursaries are available for state schools if the cost is a barrier to participation. The independent school cost includes a state school’s place on the programme.
Find out more with our New Views digital handbook
Content warning: the materials used in this programme sometimes contain strong language and controversial subject matter which some might find offensive.
Timeline
Training
September: Teacher CPD
We invite teachers to a discovery day at the National Theatre, parts of which are live-streamed for those who can’t make it in person.
Participants are introduced to the programme, take part in workshops with professional playwrights and get to see one of our productions. This can be at the South Bank, on tour, or in local cinemas via NT Live.
October to March: Workshops and theatre trips
Supported by their teachers, students follow the course at their own pace.
They take part in workshops with professional playwrights and see a National Theatre production. This can be in London, on tour, or in local cinemas via NT Live.
Writing
December to March: Drafting
Students write 30 minute plays about issues that matter to them. They submit a first draft in February, and have a feedback session with their playwright (in-person or online). In March, students submit their final drafts.
May: Shortlisting
Mentor playwrights and a team of readers from the National Theatre read all the submitted plays. A shortlist goes to a panel of National Theatre creatives.
Performing
June – July: New Views Festival
The New Views festival takes place every summer. All shortlisted plays get a rehearsed reading with professional actors.
The young writers can be part of the rehearsal process with a professional director.
Past Festivals
2024 Festival
I have been writing for a couple of years now and had a great experience participating in the New Views project last year so I jumped at the opportunity to do it again.
– Luke Fields, Aquinas Fields Grammar School, New Views winner 2024
Taking part in the New Views programme has been both challenging and relaxing for me: I have been immersed in playwriting which I have not experienced before and I have been able to escape to a different world through my writing.
– Emyr Strudwick, The College, Merthyr Tydfil, New Views winner 2024
2023 Festival
Associate playwrights
Deborah Gearing is a playwright, translator and facilitator/collaborator, making theatre in unexpected spaces, unravelling histories and exploring human connection to the environment.
Our funders
New Views is supported by The Mohn Westlake Foundation, Buffini Chao Foundation, Old Possum’s Practical Trust, Kusuma Trust UK, Unwin Charitable Trust, Noël Coward Foundation, Chapman Charitable Trust and The Golsoncott Foundation
Audible is the Official Audio Partner of New Views.
Nationwide learning is supported by Buffini Chao Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, Crevan O’Grady & Jane McClenahan, MFPA Trust Fund for the Training of Disabled Children in the Arts, The Kartik Foundation, Behrens Foundation, Marlow Trust, Cleopatra Trust, and The Andor Charitable Trust.
Contact us
Katy McEntee
Senior Coordinator, Schools Engagement
Jess Martins
Coordinator, Schools Engagement
You can contact the New Views team on newviews@nationaltheatre.org.uk
New Views Festival 2024 performances and rehearsed readings
Photos © Emma Hare
New Views Festival 2022 performance
Photos © Helen Murray
New Views Festival 2022 rehearsed reading
Photos © Olivia Spencer
More to explore
The Learning Hub
Find teaching tools for curriculum set texts or explore creativity, literacy, and oracy using theatre and drama skills.
Theatre tickets
Get £5 or £10 tickets if you’re under 25 years old and unlock amazing shows at the National Theatre.
Connections
Your school or youth group can sign up to Connections, our annual national youth drama festival.