The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Artist Training Division, in partnership with The Performance Laboratory, Inc., officially opens the call for applications for the Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program (VLFWFP) in the Visayas – Year 4, with the deadline set on August 30, 2025.
Running from November 4 to 15, 2025, this intensive two-week mentorship program is designed to discover and nurture emerging playwrights from the regions. Participants will immerse themselves in the study and practice of dramatic writing for the stage through a hybrid setup—online sessions via Zoom and onsite workshops at The Negros Museum in Bacolod, Negros Occidental.
Throughout the fellowship, selected writers will undergo lectures, discussions, and workshops on playwriting and script critiquing, and gain exclusive access to recordings of notable Virgin Labfest plays. They will also take part in talkbacks and conversations with leading playwrights and directors, culminating in a public stage reading of their works on November 15, 2025.
Who Can Apply
The fellowship is open to aspiring playwrights who meet the following criteria:
- 18 to 29 years old
- A college student or young professional
- Must not have had a play produced by a professional theater company
- Must not have had a play published in a national or international literary journal
- Must not have won top prizes (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in any national or international playwriting/screenwriting competition
- Must commit to full participation in the program, rehearsals, and culminating stage reading
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the following via email to theperformancelaboratory.inc@gmail.com and ccp.vlfwfp@gmail.com, with the subject line:
“VLFWFP REGIONAL YEAR 4 Application – <Surname>” (e.g., VLFWFP REGIONAL YEAR 4 Application – Dela Cruz):
- A duly accomplished application form (downloadable at https://tinyurl.com/bde4zawc)
- One (1) or two (2) sample stage plays (maximum of 10 pages total) in .pdf format, written in Cebuano, Hiligaynon, or Kinaray-a
The deadline for submission is August 30, 2025 (Saturday) at 11:00 PM. Accepted fellows will be announced on September 16, 2025 (Tuesday).
For inquiries, contact The Performance Laboratory at theperformancelaboratory.inc@gmail.com or call 0910 199 2199 (look for Ms. Tala). Full details can also be found on the CCP Arts Education Programs Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AnsUhQf2d/
