Aawaaz Audio Theatre: Reviving Sonic Stories

Aawaaz Audio Theatre is bringing back the art of audio theatre (radio drama) in Pakistan. This project invites a mix of artists to create fresh, original audio plays and reintroduce audio theatre as a fun and meaningful way to entertain and express creativity. It’s a great chance for radio artists, playwrights, musicians, storytellers, writers, directors, scriptwriters, and theatre lovers to develop audio plays during a residency at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA).

Here are the eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must be residing in Karachi and available for scheduled in-person events, meetings and workshops.
• Applicants must be 18 years or older and possess a valid CNIC.
• Applicants must be fluent in both English and Urdu.
• Applicants should have prior experience in creative writing or Theatre.
• Script ideas must be original works written by the applicant or a current Pakistani playwright in either Urdu or English.
• Scripts or story ideas must not exceed 30 minutes in length or 30 pages, which will then also be workshopped.
• Stories pitched must contain one or more of the following themes: Women-centric stories, Education, Pakistani culture and heritage, Environmental justice, Animal rights, Climate change, Global warming, Socio-economic change, Socio-political movements, and Folklore.
• All candidates must be available for an in-person interview.
• All applicants must complete the application form in full and submit all requested supplementary documents.
• Proposed audio plays must include opportunities/ organic room for music and sound scores. Selected directors/playwrights will collaborate with music composers to develop their play’s audio production, score, and sound effects.
• Women applicants, differently-abled individuals, persons with disabilities, and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

This is in collaboration with People’s Palace Projects (PPP), Queen Mary University of London Drama Department (QMUL), the British Council, and the English Speaking Union Pakistan (ESUP).