Applications are open now and close Friday 9 January 2026

Over 18 years, ATYP’s Fresh Ink Program has mentored 179 writers across the country. Each year we invite four emerging writers in each participating state to attend regular meetings with a mentor to hone their skills, build their writing community and produce two short works for the stage.

Throughout the program participants:

• Attend a pre-arranged workshop session at least once a month with their mentor for 6 hours (or equivalent)
• Work with professional directors and guests to widen networks and build skills
• Deliver a 15-minute play in that will be rehearsed and performed by professional actors for an invited audience.
• Deliver a 30-minute play that will be rehearsed and performed by professional actors for an invited audience.

Participants Receive:

• Mentoring by an industry professional
• The opportunity to work with professional actors and directors
• Opportunities to showcase their work to invited audiences

To be eligible participants will need to:

• Be aged 18-26
• Have some experience in the past with writing for performance (may include work for stage and/or screen, poetry, audio work, devised work, etc.)
• Be available to prioritise the time commitments
• Please note that there is a $450 participation fee for Fresh Ink. Scholarships are available by application here.

Payment plans and scholarships can be negotiated for successful applicants who could not otherwise participate. Please contact ATYP at hello@atyp.com.au to discuss prior to submitting your application.

Throughout the year they will produce two short works for the stage as well as attend regular meetings with their mentor to hone their skills and build their writing community.