METEATRA launch with a short playwrighting competition 

Our goal is to create exceptional productions that reflect a range of voices and experiences. METEATRA is a place where everyone can feel represented, where every person can find a bit of themselves and their story on stage.Set up by Ece Özdemiroğlu, Serpil Delice ve Abdullah Tercanlı who first met at Arcola Theatre’s Turkish language community group Arcola Ala Turka, have reunited to host your stories, speak your truths and share the joy. Meteatra will continue the tradition of transformative works like The Importance of Being Earnest – played by immigrants (Tower Theatre 2020 and Hackney Showrooms 2019) and the devised play Adini Soyle (Say Your Name, Arcola Theatre 2014), a gripping piece on the Gezi Park Protests in Turkey. Each founder brings a shared passion for storytelling, a commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, and a vision for pushing the boundaries of contemporary theatre.  We are open to any and all stories, and fitting with that, we start with an exciting Short Playwrighting Competition for 2025! 

Do you have a story burning within you?

A message you believe can spark change? Whether it's about the climate crisis, social injustice, or any other issue that occupies your mind, now is your opportunity to amplify your voice! 

You don’t have to have previous writing experience – in fact, we don’t want previously published or staged works. 
Submit your 20-minute short play and join us in making a meaningful impact!
Three winners will be staged by us in London in 2025 and the three runner-ups will be invited to an online dramaturgy workshop by Secil Honeywill of Write Now Berlin.

Serpil Delice, Co-Founder of Meteatra says: “It’s the story of three friends who met on stage years ago… This journey, which began with a love of theatre was paused for a while due to the pandemic. But the fire of theatre within us never went out. And out of its embers, METEATRA is born. This journey is not just ours, but the journey of everyone who believes in the magic of theatre. Our approach is very clear: to work with an amateur spirit but with professional discipline. We will become even richer with everyone who joins us.”

Ece Ozdemiroglu, Co-Founder of Meteatra says: “We are thrilled to bring METEATRA to life as a bridge connecting different languages and cultures. For me, theatre is a space where I find the courage to say what I cannot express in everyday life. I hope METEATRA will host many meaningful dialogues.”

Abdullah Tercanli, Co-Founder of METEATRA says: "Whether they are stories told for the first time or reinterpreted ones, we want to create a space where all kinds of narratives can flourish. In my busy and stressful work life, one of the greatest sources of strength and inspirationhas always been art and theatre. For me, theatre is not just a passion, but a way of understanding life and forming emotional connections with people. We are determined to continue producing, performing, and maintaining our commitment to theatre on this path."
 

METEATRA 
Meteatra’s objective is to create extra ordinary productions that bring different voices and experiences together. Meteatra will be a place where everyone feels represented, and everyone can see a piece of themselves on stage. 
to create space for everyone, committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility,
to work with an amateur spirit and professional discipline,
to be open to all theatrical approaches including classics, reinterpretations of classics, and new devised pieces and more
to bring passion and care to everything we create,
At METEATRA, every story matters. We believe our differences make the world more interesting, resilient, and joyful.
For more information, please visit: www.meteatra.co.uk or contact [email protected] 

METEATRA SHORTS
As METEATRA begins its journey, we want to use theatre to start important conversations, raise awareness, and encourage positive change. 
This competition is an opportunity to showcase stories that deal with the real issues humanity is facing today. From climate change to social inequality, we believe theatre can help highlight these topics and get people talking.

What we’re looking for
We welcome submissions for short plays (maximum 20 minutes long) that address current global challenges. While there’s no set theme, we’re looking for plays that make people think, raise awareness, and, most importantly, inspire action. These works should reflect the world we live in today and imagine a better future.
We look forward to seeing how your play can make a difference!

Competition details
Open to everyone, from anywhere in the world 
No previous playwriting experience is necessary – just have a story to tell 
Submissions in Turkish, English, or a mix of both
Maximum length: 20 minutes
Plays must not have been staged or published before
Translations, children’s plays, adaptations of classic plays or existing works in other media, musicals, music theatre, TV or film scripts are not eligible.
One entry per person

Prizes
Three winning plays will be staged as part of Meteatra Shorts later in 2025 in the UK. 
Up to three runner-ups will be invited to an online dramaturgy session with Secil Honeywill of Write Now Berlin. 
The competition will be judged by an expert panel comprising Secil Honeywill, Ece Özdemiroğlu, Seray Genç, İrem Cavuşoğlu, and Philip Arditti.
Important Dates
Submissions close: Friday, 21 February 2025
Winners announced: Monday 10 March 2025 (on our website) 
For more details and submission guidelines, visit www.meteatra.co.uk or email [email protected]