22, 23, 29, 30 November 2025
World theatre on a community stage!
take part...
CastOff is CAST Festival’s commitment to supporting emerging artists across all areas in the live performance industries - writers, directors, producers, actors, choreographers, singers, musicians, designers, technicians, you name it...
The idea is simple: to create real, professional opportunities for new talent to get work made, staged and seen. CastOff provides a platform where emerging voices, performers and creative talent can launch their work, through and with the support of industry professionals, without the barrier of cost.
We're excited to announce our first CastOff initiative - New Writing Weekender. More details below:
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Taking to the stage in Spring 2026, CastOff's New Writing Weekender will showcase new plays from writers across the North of England.
Open for submissions now; Writers are invited to submit either:
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• a short 15-minute play, or
• a 15-minute excerpt from a longer work.
From these submissions, eight pieces will be selected by a panel of industry readers, that includes professional playwrights, actors, directors and more. Chosen writers will receive industry feedback and mentoring during the rehearsal process. The end result...? New plays staged and produced at no expense to the writer.
With Arts Council funding this is a genuine opportunity for emerging creatives both on and off stage to gain professional experience and industry feedback.
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This CastOff initiative is also open to emerging actors and directors.
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Submission guidance and deadlines for writers, directors and actors can be found on our submissions page.
CastOff: supporting the next generation of theatre-makers.
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new writing weekender...