Skills: Essay Writing · Long-Form Writing · Cultural Criticism · Arts Writing · Performance Studies · Freelance Writing · Literary Non-Fiction · Personal Reflection · Contemporary Culture · Live Performance

Location: New York, NY · Workplace: Remote · Employment: Contract

Sydney Dramaturgical is a bilingual, three-city publication about live performance. We commission and pay writers across Sydney, New York, and Montréal.

We're taking essay pitches from writers thinking about performance in New York. Essays don't need to be reviews of specific shows — they can be about a movement, an author, a body of work, a form, a question, a memory. Essay from essayer, to try. Pre-written material is welcome, including work adapted from university writing or personal reflection, as long as it hasn't been published before.

PLEASE APPLY ON OUR WEBSITE. EOIs sent via LinkedIn will not be reviewed.

What we're looking for

Essays on any topic related to live performance, in any register: personal, critical, theoretical, formal
Previously unpublished work — including academic essays or personal writing adapted for a wider audience
Writers who read performance closely and can write about it with clarity

Who this is for

You're based in New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens), or you've lived here and know the arts community well
Or you have deep familiarity with NYC's performance scene from elsewhere — tell us how in your application
Bilingualism (English / French) is a plus but not required

Rate

$50–$100 USD per essay (editor's call, tax-inclusive). Paid on receipt of first draft. Wise or direct bank transfer. No kill fees.

Also taking submissions for reviews and interviews — full details at sydneydramaturgical.com/engage/write-for-us.

How to apply

Apply directly at sydneydramaturgical.com/engage/write-for-us. Include:

A writing sample (published or unpublished)
A short pitch for the essay you'd like to write
Confirmation you're writing for New York and pitching an essay

Essays are subject to editorial selection. You don't need to be on our writer roster to pitch one.

Role Description Sydney Dramaturgical commissions freelance essays about live performance from writers based in New York City or with strong ties to NYC's arts community. Essays are paid $50–$100 USD tax-inclusive on receipt of first draft (editor's determination), payable via Wise or direct bank transfer. Essays may be pre-written work adapted from academic or personal writing, provided the piece has not been published elsewhere. All contributions are subject to editorial selection and to a six-month exclusivity period from date of publication.

Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to write about live performance, culture, or related fields.
A writing sample (published or unpublished).
NYC-based, or genuine familiarity with NYC's arts community.
Reliability with editorial process and deadlines.

Sydney Dramaturgical Company

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