The National Theatre of Scotland’s Five minute DIGI-triumph for theatre-makers returns. Submissions are now open on the theme of PROTEST. Deadline for submissions is 16 March 2012

Following the success of last year’s inaugural Five Minute Theatre, the live online theatre extravaganza, for theatre-makers everywhere, returns, with five shorter digital and interactive bursts in 2012.

National Theatre of Scotland is inviting members of the public again to visit www.fiveminutetheatre.com to submit their ideas to create a five minute piece of theatre for potential live streaming on the National Theatre of Scotland’s virtual stage.

On June 21st 2011, the National Theatre of Scotland celebrated its fifth birthday with Five Minute Theatre. For 24 hours 1000 people from all over the world created a unique online theatrical experience. With over 200 five minute performances shown back to back during 24 hours, the event gathered 6300 unique viewers from 51 countries who visited the site 22,000 times. Since June those 207 individual shows, all performed in front of their own live audience, have been watched a further 33,000 times, creating a total Five Minute Theatre virtual audience to date of 55,000.

The National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to be reunited with media partner, stv.tv for this new season of Five Minute Theatre broadcasts.

The first five minute theatre experience will be streamed live on 1st May from 6pm on www.fiveminutetheatre.com and www.stv.tv. Each five minute theatre event in 2012 will have a theme and the first theme is ‘protest’. This can be interpreted in anyway; from global political protests to personal, private daily protests.

Professional or not, old or young, absolutely anyone can apply to take part no set skills are required and no qualifications required other than dramatic flair, a good idea and some bravery. Invitations are welcome from DIY theatre-makers across the globe. The deadline for all submissions is 5pm on 16 March 2012 and successful participants will be announced on 30 March 2012.

The first five minute theatre hub will be in Glasgow at the Tron Theatre’s Victoria bar, with an opportunity to watch live performances on 1st May 2012 from 6pm. Audience information will be announced at a later date.  Additional Five Minute Theatre events and relevant application processes will be announced throughout the year.

Five Minute Theatre is being produced alongside the National Theatre of Scotland’s and Play and Pie and Pint’s One Day in Spring season at Òran Mór and The Tron Theatre, Glasgow.  The live performances and Hub night at The Tron Theatre, Glasgow are part of The Tron Theatre’s Mayfesto season.

www.fiveminutetheatre.com contains up to date information including clear instructions and details on the selection process as well as regular features from the National Theatre of Scotland’s key creative team offering tips, advice and classes on how to make and deliver a piece of theatre.  All 207 shows from last year’s Five Minute Theatre experience are available for viewing here as well as at http://programmes.stv.tv/five-minute-theatre/.

Marianne Maxwell, Five Minute Theatre producer says

“Five Minute Theatre in June 2011 was a joyous celebration of theatre in all its many forms. Inspired by the imagination and creativity of that first event, we are excited to develop and expand what Five Minute Theatre can be for performers, theatre-makers and audiences.”

Robert Dawson Scott, Editor of stv.tv says

“We really enjoyed being part of Five Minute Theatre. STV is part of Scotland’s wider creative community so we are delighted to continue our online relationship with the National Theatre of Scotland into 2012.”

FIVE MINUTE THEATRE KEY DATES:

10th February 2012 – open date for submissions

16th March 2012 – closing date for all submissions

30th March 2O12 – successful entries will be confirmed

24th April 2012 – deadline for pre-recorded pieces

1st May 2012 – performance day

FIVE MINUTE THEATRE AND SOCIAL MEDIA: become part of the conversation at #fiveminutetheatre

Source: National Theatre of Scotland