The commissioners

Discusses experiences in commissioning new scripts from New Zealand playwrights with the Circa Theatre Writers Development Programme, Capital E National Theatre for Children artistic director Peter Wilson. Emphasises the importance of process and allowing writers sufficient time.The Artistic Director of Palmerston North's Centrepoint Theatre remarks on the success that New Zealand plays enjoy at that theatre and explains how this led her into writing plays herself - in partnership with others. Briefly describes how Centrepoint manages its production schedule and budgets.Circa outlines the history of its support for New Zealand plays. Describes a series of recent commissions including the Michael Hirschfeld Writing Award and two commissions to mark Circa's 25th birthday.