Friday, May 31, 2013

Spring Sonnet 8: HMS Mandrake

Dead dead dead as a nickel head, my feet
clop round the marina's green sulfur lake.
Winding past the anchored sailing fleet
my eyes fall on the HMS Mandrake.

Mandrake's sails billowed pouting silver lips
that whisper prayers to the pitiless sun.
Tentacled  wild ropes dance the devil whip
as I continue on my banal morning run.

Gurgle gutturals froth and bubble
from the bow to the brind-beaten baft.
Mandrake's deck covered in seaweed rubble,
on this monstrously mottled sailing craft.

Sweat stung my eyes as my path moved on
blinked at the shimmer and Mandrake was gone.

-By Aurin Squire

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Spring Sonnet 7: Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds soak my pillow as I dream
lustful wars and pillaging napalm
scarlet colors soaks the covers to seam
battles rage inside the sonorous calm.

When I was young I would have these night visions
 attacked by violent masked invaders
bullets and grenades flung with precision
walls blasted into smoldering crater
Never decoded these nightmares secrets
I just hoped it wasn't foreshadowing
buried resentment at my father's precepts
warning me of what my rebellion would bring. 

And the only ones who ever knew
were me, my pillows, my bed, and now you. 

-By Aurin Squire

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Spring Sonnet 6: A Burning Sky

A burning sky shows an enkindled earth
to illuminate veiled atrocities.
Like the smoking embers under the hearth.
The gasp for air in their attempt to breathe.

When the planet becomes dark and distant,
the formal order is lost for a time.
Yes - Heaven's lid loses its ginger tint
to try and paralyze the tongues that rhyme.

But there is strength that keeps those tongues loose.
A light which no affliction can diffuse.
The propensity to tell the whole truth
is one which The Poets will never lose.

Keep your pens and disregard the allure
of swords. Words will remain the only cure.

-by Donavue

Spring Sonnet 5: Cuckoo's Song

"Kommen und Gehen" my first German verse,
which, like the English 'coming and going,'
to me suggested a hypnotic curse
dooming us to endless to and froing.

Cuz I already sit on the pendulum
base, sweeping through space til some grand hand
drages me from my imagined path to rehash doldrums
of before. What's mine not in my command

Travelling on an amputated track
No destination. "Kommen und Gehen."
Caught in the machine. Pitched forward, flung back
Stymied in the refrain. I'm just sayin':

What if I jump? Which is more appalling?
Free falling or standing up and walking.

-By Abigail Ramsay

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Spring Sonnet 4: Slamming the Door

lazy rain slouches on the gray pavement
as i curl into the suede pillows and arms
phone lifted above Aztec burnt orange prints
listen to a man leaving the apple for a farm.

'i can't stand the rudeness, the weather, and expense.
NYC overrated and I'm done
over-educated with no common sense
takes too much out of me to have plain fun.

'it takes too much money to go out
takes too much energy to sit and wait
too many mind games to fight off the doubt
driving at 70 to get out of this goddamn state.

points heard too many times, i can't argue
as i sigh and look out at that iconic view.

-by Aurin Squire

Spring Sonnet 3: The Sparrow and The Dove

There was a sparrow in the square today,
he was courting the loveliest of doves.
Circling around a small breadcrumb buffet
on a stretch of path called the walk of love.

The path was lively- like a lusty sigh
with words of passion lingering overhead.
The chestnut-shouldered lover coy and spry
gave his dove a peck, her beak full of bread.

Finishing her meal she would blush if she
could. So she pecked him back and they took flight.
All who saw this scene would have to agree
that a simple day can be a delight.

And as the peaceful day continued on
there was the music of a chirping song.

-By Donavue

Monday, May 27, 2013

Spring Sonnet 2: Evening Bag Perched on a Condemned Pile

An evening bag perched on a condemned pile
Carelessly flings me back to quondam
life. Below, my old stuffs’ siren calls beguile
my sentiments to secure their freedom.
"You loved me once; I served you well!" they chant
begging for grace; but it’s my past that pleads
absolution from a deceived present
and seeks to amend unknowing misdeeds.
That bag was not a bag but a passport
To anywhere else. But now the burden
Of continuing on encumbered thwarts
My whispered prayer for transfiguration.
My pile evicted; my amen disguised
As giving, and so my ghosts are exorcised.

-Abigail Ramsay

Spring Sonnet 1: Praying Man'Tis

Perched over parchment, a Man'tis praying
peers at pages pocked with poetic plagues.
Prestidigitation populating 
our peon plutocracies of pleuritic ages.

Invoke the spirits, wood nymphs, and wild boars!
We three deviants stomp the Scottish bogs
stirring stewed cauldron with words like oars
skim scum slim surfaces with witch spell'ed flogs.

Writers conjure ancients in pits of night
whorling dark magic from the bitter view.
Grinding the dank wild sounds into light
from bottomless black jaguars our songs brew.

Acrid green smoke belches from our queer quill jars  
incense offering to God and the morning star.

- Aurin Squire

Monday, May 20, 2013

I Sing Glory

Sing the glory of sunlight dreams. I,
bring morning from the muted darkness. I,
ring greetings from muddy streams. I,
fling jewelry into naked starkness. I,
string embroideries into enfolded seam. I,
cling to this life by any means.


Sunday, May 5, 2013

Get What You Want: May 2013



1.
Red Shirt Rooftop Reading Festival of New Ten-Minute Plays
Deadline: June 19th

The Rooftop Reading Festival is an annual event dedicated to public readings of new ten-minute plays. Hailed by the New York Post as “Theater on high,” this dynamic festival not only presents art in a very unique setting, but helps to build strong community and bonds among the America Theater Artists who participate.
Ten playwrights will be in residence at the festival as they continue to develop their new scripts. Input and support from a professional core group of actors, directors, dramaturges, producers, and audience members will be provided.
Each playwright selected will receive a stipend, as well as meetings with Red Shirt’s Producing team to help support the future development of the playwright’s work in the Commercial Theater.
Literary agents may submit scripts as well.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submissions open from May 1st – June 19th
  • Application fee of $20 in cash or money order made out to Red Shirt Entertainment
  • Include the playwright’s current CV with 10 minute play
  • No more than three characters in the cast
  • Playwrights must be available to be in NYC in residence on September 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th.
  • Festival Public Reading Days are September 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th
  • Playwrights are responsible for their own housing and travel during the festival in NYC
Please mail ten-minute play with cover letter, CV and $20 application fee to:
Red Shirt Entertainment
c/o Rooftop Reading Festival
18 West 23rd St.
4th Floor
New York, NY 10010
NOTE: No drop-offs, emails or phone calls please.
For more information, please visit www.redshirtentertainment.com.

2.

SDCF Observership Program

Deadline: June 1st
The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) Observership Program grants emerging Directors and Choreographers 25 paid opportunities to observe the work of master Directors and Choreographers as they create productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway and at leading regional theatres across the country.  SDCF Observers have access to the entire rehearsal process, from first rehearsal through previews to opening night.  Observers are guaranteed the invaluable opportunity to observe, first-hand, the techniques, disciplines, approaches and insights of master artists as they create new productions and revive classics.  The exact nature of each Observership varies depending on the needs and desires of the master Director or Choreographer.   Observerships are selected by committee; master artists in 2012-2013 were Rob Ashford, Mark Brokaw, Mark Cuddy, Trip Cullman, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Timothy Douglas, Sheldon Epps, Sam Gold, Igor Goldin, Skip Greer, Michael Halberstam, Joseph Haj, Doug Hughes, Dan Knechtges, Brian Kulick, Art Manke, Emily Mann, Sean Matthias, John Rando, Susan Stroman, Chet Walker, and Michael Wilson.
STIPEND: Each Observer receives a grant of a weekly stipend of $200 and a project travel stipend. In addition, any Observer who is not already a Member of SDC will be awarded a free one-year SDC Associate Membership.
APPLY: Application to this year’s program is free to SDC Members and Associates.  A $25 application fee is required to apply for those unaffiliated with SDC.
Return completed application form along with a one-page artistic statement, one-page resume and one letter of recommendation to SDCF postmarked by June 1, 2013 to be considered for all opportunities.  SDCF will accept applications until July 31, 2013, however, those applying by the later date will not be eligible for summer Observership opportunities.
2013-2014 Observership Application: http://www.sdcweb.org/sdc/pdfs/foundation/Observership13-14/ObservershipApplication1314earlyapplicants_sd.doc
DEADLINE: Application materials must be postmarked by June 1, 2013 to be considered for ALL opportunities; applications accepted through July 31, 2013.
OPEN HOUSE: All applicants will be invited to an Observership open house on July 8, 2013, as well as to other SDCF Programs and special SDC events throughout the year, all of which are free of charge or very low cost.

3.
Soho Lab Writer/Director Lab
Deadline: May 13th

Apply online (completely paperless, yay!): http://sohorep.org/writerdirector-lab

The Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab was founded in 1998 to explore and develop the work of a new generation of theater artists and to foster new collaborations between writers and directors in the beginning stages of the creative process. Writers and directors must apply separately. At the start of the cycle, each writer and director invited to join the Lab are matched with one another.

Writer Applicants should submit a 10 page writing sample from a full-length play, as well as a short description / synopsis (no more than 250 words) of that full-length play. Applicants should also submit a resume, as well as one reference and contact details for that reference. Second round applicants will be asked to submit the play that the writing sample came from. This play should not be the play you wish to work on in the Lab, as Lab writers will write brand new play. In the late summer, writer finalists will be asked to interview and also to propose an idea for a new play.

Director Applicants should submit a resume, one reference and contact details for that reference, as well as written responses to the following two prompts. (Each response should be limited to 250 words):

  1. Tell us about a current artistic obsession of yours. The obsession should be related to your work and/or your process.
  2. Avoiding self-deprecation, describe a production of yours that failed – why it failed and what you learned (be specific).
In the late summer, director finalists will be asked in for an interview and also to provide some form of visual representation of their work.
Participation includes attendance at all Lab meetings and readings during the 2013/14 cycle.


4.
MAD ROULETTE
Deadline: June 1st

Send us your full length plays.  Long one-acts, two-acts, three-acts if you think you have what it takes! We can take it, and...well...we want it.  These will be considered for our regular theatre season (not for THEATRE ROULETTE, I repeat...not for THEATRE ROULETTE).

To maximize your chance of selection, please read all the guidelines carefully before submitting.

All submissions should be send to andy@madlab.net
Please put “MADLAB 2014 SEASON” in the subject line.  If you do not have email, please call 614.221.5418 to set up different arrangements.

Submissions must arrive no later than June 1st, 2013.

We will begin accepting submissions as of November 2nd, 2012.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Though we are up for anything, ideally, scripts should be long one-acts (70-90 minutes) or two-act plays (100-120 minutes). If you have something else longer, please feel free to send it on.

You may submit multiple scripts.

Script submissions WILL NOT be returned to the applicant; MadLab will destroy all evidence of your creative instincts upon a funeral pyre at an undisclosed location in order to protect both the innocent and the guilty.  Ashes will NOT be returned to you unless you purchase a commemorative urn from MadLab at the bargain basement price of $999.95.

Due to our environmentally conscious president, you must email your script to us.  If emailing is absolutely impossible for you, please call us at 614.221.5418 so we can make alternate arrangements.

Please send your script attached as a Microsoft Word document or PDF format.

Scripts should be emailed to andy@madlab.net.


5.
Roust Theatre
Deadline: rolling

We accept new, previously unproduced plays from both literary agents and directly from playwrights as unsolicited manuscripts, with some limitations. 'Unproduced' means not previously seen on a stage in a professional capacity, it does not include being previously produced as a staged reading.
Please send an email to submit@RoustTC.com including a cover note, a brief synopsis and your best 10-page selection from the script (either in a Word document or PDF). If the material interests us, we will contact you with a request for the complete script. Please don't email a complete script in the hope that we might, by some crazy chance, print it and read it. We won't, primarily for two reasons: we just don't have the time and we try and care about the environment by saving paper. If we discover you've sent the complete script your submission will be deleted.
A word to the wise, we only like to receive plays that fit our mission. Keep in mind that Roust focuses on important social matters. This doesn't mean we only accept political plays or dark brow-furrowing dramas, though we happen to produce those as well. Straight plays, musicals, comedies, love-stories, experimental pieces; if it's a social 'hot-potato', we want to read it. We need you!

6.
SETC NEW PLAY PROJECT
Deadline: June 1st

The SETC New Play Project is dedicated to the discovery, development and publicizing of worthy new plays and playwrights. This project will select one "winning script," present a staged reading of that script at the annual Southeastern Theatre Conference Convention in collaboration with the playwright, and conduct an adjudication of the play by a select panel of judges.
Eligibility: Playwrights who reside in the SETC region (or who are enrolled in a regionally accredited educational institution in the SETC region) or who reside outside the region but are SETC members are eligible for consideration. SETC Region states include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia.
Guidelines:
  1. Entries will be accepted between March 1st and June 1st annually.
  2. One submission per playwright only. Full length plays or related one acts; No musicals or children's plays.
  3. Plays must be unproduced (no professional productions) and unpublished. Readings and workshops are acceptable.
  4. Plays must be submitted by email attachment in Microsoft Word or PDF format with the following guidelines:
    • Text should be in 12 pt type and in a plain font such as Times New Roman.
    • Script must include page numbers at the bottom of each page.
    • The author's name should not appear anywhere in the script.
    • Do not include resumes, playwright biographies or a history of the play.
    • 1 copy, Word or PDF format, attached to an email.
    • Completed Application Form   included as separate email attachment. Electronic signatures will be accepted.
  5. No previous submissions will be accepted without substantial rewrites having taken place.
Notification and Award: The winning playwright will receive a $1,000 cash award and be designated as the winner of the Charles M. Getchell Award.
  1. The playwright will be invited to the SETC convention at the expense of SETC. The play will be considered for publication in Southern Theatre magazine.
  2. The decision of the panel of readers will be announced in November of each year.
Questions:Chris Hardin
Austin Peay State University
hardinb@apsu.edu
7.
Golden Thread Productions
Deadline: Rolling

Interest Areas include:
  • All plays written by Middle Eastern writer
  • All plays about the Middle East written by anyone
  • Comedies of all sorts particularly political satire
  • Adaptations of classical texts and or historical figures
  • Exploration of Middle Eastern performance traditions
  • Experiments with non-realistic forms
Submission Guidelines:
Mail play, resume & cover letter to:
Golden Thread Productions
131 Tenth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
USA
WE DO NOT ACCEPT E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS.
WE DO NOT RETURN PLAYS.
Include a self-adressed postcard, if you'd like to be notified that we have received your play. Do not include a self-stamped envelope.
We accept full-length plays on an ongoing basis.
Allow Six Months for a Response.
We would love to work with you on developing an idea, play or project. Write us a proposal that includes a description of the project, required resources (artists & money) and a proposed timeline.

8.
The National NewBorn Festival
Deadline: June 1st

NewBorn Festival is our flagship program, created to find talented emerging playwrights from across the United States, introduce their work to the New York theatre community.Submitted plays must meet the following criteria:
  • The world of the play must take place in a region outside of New York City.
  • The play must not have had a prior reading or production in NYC.
  • MTWorks strongly encourages writers living in any region of the United States to apply.
The selected playwrights will be awarded:
  • One full reading of their work in a festival environment.
  • A  second reading on the festival's closing night if your play wins "Audience Favorite Award".
  • An assigned professional director to work on their play.
  • A “Playwright Spotlight” Newsletter received by over 3,000 members of the NY Theatre Industry.
  • A talk-back or survey about your play with the cast and audience members.
  • A Networking "Meet the Playwrights" Event.
  • Complimentary tickets to MTWorks shows, invited dress rehearsals and other special events.
  • Artistic and professional support from the MTWorks staff.
  • The possibility of your work being selected as part of an MTWorks upcoming season. Receiving a full staged production.
REQUIREMENTS:

We are only interested in full-length plays at the moment (no short plays or musicals, sorry).

Applicants must submit the following:

A Cover Letter (can be in the body of the email).
A  ten (10) page excerpt of your play.
A half (1/2) page synopsis.
•    If you applied for The National NewBorn Festival before, you must submit a different play.
All material must be emailed (all together in one email) to plays@mtworks.org with [title of the play and your name] on the subject line.

If your contact information changes between your submission date and November, you are required to update your information by sending an email to plays@mtworks.org with [updated contact information for-your name] on the subject line.

IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Dates: March 1st-June 1st, 2010
Selection Announcement: November 1st, 2010
The National NewBorn Festival: Late January 2011


Please do not call to ask about the status of your submission. If you received a confirmation email after submitting, trust that we received your material. If we would like the full script we will contact you, so no need to contact us. If you have any other inquires about the festival, and NOT about your status, you are welcome to contact us at info@mtworks.org.  Please do not email questions to our application e-mail address.
9.
The Sky Cooper/Marin Theatre Company
Deadline: August 31st

New American Play Prize
Norton J. “Sky” Cooper established the New American Play Prize at Marin Theatre Company in 2007 to celebrate the work of the American playwright and to encourage the creation of bold, powerful new voices and plays for the American stage. The Sky Cooper Prize will be awarded annually to either an established or emerging playwright for an outstanding new work. The play selected as the Sky Cooper winner will receive a full production at Marin Theatre Company as part of the theatre’s annual season and will be given regional and national promotion. In addition, the playwright receives a $10,000 award, as well as travel and accommodations for the MTC rehearsal period.

GUIDELINES
Plays must be full-length in any genre: comedy, drama, etc. Musicals, translations, individual one-acts, and any play previously submitted for the Sky Cooper or David Calicchio Prizes are not eligible. Collaborations are welcome, in which case prize benefits are shared. Plays may not have received a full-scale, professional production prior to submission. Plays that have had a workshop, reading, or non-professional production are still eligible. Playwrights must be citizens of the United States. Playwrights with past production experience are especially encouraged to submit new work. Only one submission per playwright is allowed each year. If you are eligible for the David Calicchio Award you may submit the same play for both prizes.

Submission is a two-phase process.
Phase I: Submit a two-page maximum abstract of the play including title, character breakdown, brief story synopsis and playwright bio or resume. Also include 10 pages of consecutive sample dialogue. Do not send videos or CDs. Literary agents may submit full scripts of their client’s work. All abstracts and dialogue samples will be read. From these, selected manuscripts will be solicited for Phase II by October 1. Due to the high number of submissions, not every playwright will receive a response to their Phase 1 submission. Do not send a manuscript with or instead of the abstract. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be read. Due to the high number of submissions we cannot return any materials. If you would like notification that your submission was received, please send it with a SASP. Electronic submissions are accepted in Word or PDF format only and paper copies must also be sent to MTC if requested. Please NO PHONE OR EMAIL inquiries.
Phase II: All manuscripts that have been solicited after Phase I will be read. Manuscripts should be neatly typed, securely bound and have the playwright’s name, contact address and phone number clearly visible on the front page. No solicited manuscript will be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope with adequate postage.
All final selections are made by Jasson Minadakis, Artistic Director of Marin Theatre Company.
Submissions are accepted between April 1 and August 31 (postmarked).
Address all submissions to:
The Sky Cooper/Marin Theatre Company New American Play Prize
Marin Theatre Company
397 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Or electronically to skycooper@marintheatre.org


10.
David Calicchio/Marin Theatre Company Emerging Playwright Prize
Deadline: August 31st

Norton J. “Sky” Cooper established the Emerging American Playwright Prize award at Marin Theatre Company in 2007 in honor of David Calicchio’s lifelong career as a playwright and in support of Marin Theatre Company’s commitment to the discovery and development of new and emerging American playwrights. The Calicchio Prize will be awarded annually to a professionally unproduced playwright for a new work that shows outstanding promise and a distinctive new voice for the American theatre. The play selected as the Calicchio Prize winner will receive 2 public staged readings at Marin Theatre Company as part of the theatre’s annual New Works Series. The playwright will receive a $2,500 award, as well as travel and accommodations for the MTC rehearsal period (25 hours).
GUIDELINES
Plays must be full-length in comedy, drama, etc. Musicals, translations, adaptations, individual one-acts and any play previously submitted for the Sky Cooper or David Calicchio Prizes are not eligible. Collaborations are welcome, in which case prize benefits are shared. Playwrights may not have received a full-scale, professional production of the submitted play, or any of their other works, prior to submission. Plays and playwrights that have had workshop, reading or non-professional productions are still eligible. Playwrights must be citizens of the United States. Only one submission per playwright is allowed each year. If you plan to also submit your play to the Sky Cooper Play Prize you may do so but it must be the same play.
Submission is a two-phase process.
Phase I: Submit a two-page maximum abstract of the play including title, character breakdown, brief story synopsis and playwright bio or resume. Also include 10 pages of consecutive sample dialogue. Literary agents may submit full scripts of their client’s work. All abstracts and dialogue samples will be read. From these, selected manuscripts will be solicited for Phase II by October 1. Due to the high number of submissions, not every playwright will receive a response to their Phase 1 submission. Do not send a manuscript with or instead of the abstract. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be read. Due to the high number of submissions we cannot return any Phase I materials. If you would like notification that your submission was received, please send it with a SASP. Electronic submissions are accepted in Word or PDF format only and paper copies must be sent to MTC if requested. Please NO PHONE OR EMAIL inquiries.
Phase II: All manuscripts that have been solicited after Phase I will be read. Manuscripts should be neatly typed, securely bound and have the playwright’s name, contact address and phone number clearly visible on the front page. No solicited manuscript will be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope with adequate postage.
All final selections are made by Jasson Minadakis, Artistic Director of Marin Theatre Company.Submissions are accepted between April 1 and August 31 (postmarked).
Address all submissions to:
The David Calicchio/Marin Theatre Company Emerging American Playwright Prize
Marin Theatre Company
397 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Or electronically to davidcalicchio@marintheatre.org


11.
Mario Fratti-Fred Newman Political Play Contest
Deadline: October 31st

The Castillo Theatre sponsors the Mario Fratti-Fred Newman Political Play Contest annually. In its sevent year, the purpose of the political play contest to encourage the writing of scripts for the stage that engage the political/social/cultural questions affecting the world today and/or historical events and issues that impact on our political/cultural heritage.  While Castillo recognizes that in the broadest sense, all theatre is political, the contest is seeking politically progressive plays that: look at social and/or economic problems and challenges; explore possibilities of social transformation; and, reflect the concerns and interests of communities and/or which explore the importance of community. The contest also welcomes scripts that experiment with form and seek new ways of seeing and new ways of experiencing theatrical performance. The plays submitted to the Fratti-Newman Contest may be written in any style, set in any historical time, geographic or imaginary location, contain any number of characters and be of any length. The plays must be in English and cannot be musicals or adaptations. No scripts will be considered that have previously been submitted to this contest, have received a production or won other contests. Only one script per playwright will be accepted.

The contest is judged by a team of distinguished theatre artists. The winning script(s) will receive a reading and/or a production at the Castillo Theatre in New York City during the theatre’s 2014 summer season.

All scripts should be submitted in hard copy and must be accompanied by:

  • A statement of the political/social/cultural questions that the script engages (scripts without a statement will not be considered);
  • A brief synopsis;
  • A character breakdown, including gender, age and ethnic requirements, if any;
  • A 100-word biography of the playwright;
  • A current email address for the playwright

Please note:

  • •Receipt of script will be acknowledged via email.
  • Scripts will not be returned.
  • Castillo will not give critical feedback to playwrights/contestants.
  • Contest winners are required to sign a letter of agreement, which will include but not be limited to granting the right for Castillo to produce one or more readings and/or a full production of the winning play.
  • Contest winners are responsible for travel expenses or any other expenses incurred as a result of participating in the development of the play with Castillo, or as a result of attending the reading and/or full production.

All scripts must be postmarked by October 1st

The winner(s) will be publicly announced at the Otto René Castillo Awards for Political Theatre in New York City in May of 2014.

Send all submissions to:

Castillo Theatre
543 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Attn: Fratti-Newman Political Play Contest

Questions and inquiries should be addressed to Madelyn Chapman at 212-356-8485 or mchapman@allstars.org.



12.
Next Act! New Play Summit 2
Deadline: May 31st


Next Act! is an expansion of Capital Repertory Theatre’s commitment to the development of new work, and is designed to complement the Upper Hudson Valley’s recent and future growth explosion in the fields of research and technology. The summit will directly reflect the theatre’s mission, “to create meaningful theatre generated from an authentic link to the community.” Next Act! takes place November 2nd thru 4th, 2013 and will feature readings of two never-before produced plays, one musical and special events throughout the weekend.

Capital Rep is particularly interested in scripts that showcase world events as they impact the individual and society, highlighting the common threads that bind the American culture together in a world that is defined more and more by diversity. The theatre will give preference to character driven scripts that showcase technology’s impact on humanity.

Accepting plays and musicals.
Multi-cultural and ethnically diverse plays welcome.
Comedy and Drama welcome!
(Please do not submit plays about the theatre.)

ELIGIBILITY
Eligible plays can not have been previously produced, though previous readings are allowed. No more than 7 characters. (Please do not submit works in which actors play multiple roles, unless it is a device used to illuminate generations.)

Eligible musicals can not have been previously produced, though previous readings are allowed. No more than 6 characters. Accompaniment must be able to be provided by a pianist for the reading. Scripts that allow creative ways for execution in the intimate atmosphere of Capital Rep’s thrust stage are particularly welcome. (There is no limit on subject matter. Adaptations of literature welcome.)

Agent and non-agent submissions accepted.

Submission Deadline: END OF DAY – Thursday May 30th

HOW TO SUBMIT
Plays: Playwrights should submit a synopsis, character descriptions and the first 10 pages of their play with a photo/resume and bio.

Musicals: Playwrights should submit a synopsis, character descriptions, one sample scene and 3 songs (demo’s are acceptable). Music may be sent via CD or electronically. Playwrights should include a photo/resume and bio.

Email your submission to Margaret Hall, Assistant to the Artistic Director, at mhall@capitalrep.org with NEXT ACT SUBMISSION in the subject line.

A small stipend and limited travel available for playwrights selected.

Electronic submissions preferred.




13.
31 Plays in 31 Days
Deadline: August

Coming this August we challenge any and all playwrights from near to far to write a play a day. Are you playwright enough? Prove to yourself you are and register today!


We look forward to writing with you in August!

Email questions to: rachel@31plays31days.com


14.
Harold Clurman Playwright-in-Residence
Deadline: June 7th

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting is currently accepting applications for the 2013-2014 Harold Clurman Playwright-in-Residence. This is a collaborative residency that is mutually beneficial to the mission of the studio and the playwright. We are seeking playwrights who:
- are in their early careers
- are unpublished
- have not yet had professional productions other than those using the showcase code
- have a vested interest in working with a community of artists
- are interested in engaging in a discussion about how the studio can support and challenge their work
While this program previously offered a production to conclude the year, the studio is interested in co-designing a residency with the playwright that will support and challenge their process. The course of the residency is not regimented, but may be described as “playwright’s choice” within the resources and capabilities of the studio. Past participants have chosen some of the following:
1) a series of readings on a play written during the course of the year
2) a series of readings on a variety of plays/pages
3) writing a new work for an ensemble of graduate level actors
4) a showcase production
The resident will engage in a discussion with the Artistic Director and other staff to explore what activities might be most helpful to their process during the year. Residencies typically begin in September and culminate in June.  Resident playwrights receive a $1000 stipend and have access to the Studio’s space, members of the Clurman Lab Theatre Company, and student actors for readings and workshops.
Completed applications must include a required application form, a full-length, polished but unpublished play (A full-length play is one that constitutes a full evening of theater; a 90-minute one act play is acceptable); a statement of objectives of no more than a page discussing how you would benefit from a collaborative residency at the studio; and a brief biography emphasizing your history as a playwright.  Playwrights must read and agree to the Letter of Agreement before applying. By applying for this residency, playwrights confirm that they have read and agree to the Letter of Agreement.
Application form: http://www.stellaadler.com/residency_application.pdf
15.
Yale Drama David Charles Horn
Deadline application: June 1st -August 15th

The Yale Drama Series is seeking submissions for its 2014 playwriting competition. The winning play will be selected by the series' current judge, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman. The winner of this annual competition will be awarded the David Charles Horn Prize of $10,000, publication of his/her manuscript by Yale University Press, and a staged reading at Lincoln Center Theater.

There is no application form or entry fee. Please follow these guidelines in preparing your manuscript:

1. This contest is restricted to plays written in the English language. Worldwide submissions are accepted.
2. Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays written in English. Translations, musicals, and children's plays are not accepted. The Yale Drama Series is intended to support emerging playwrights. Playwrights may win the competition only once.
3. Playwrights may submit only one manuscript per year.
4. Plays that have been professionally produced or published are not eligible.  Plays that have had a workshop, reading, or non-professional production or that have been published as an actor’s edition will be considered.
5. Plays may not be under option or scheduled for professional production or publication at the time of submission.
6. The manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play's title and your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address (if you have one), page count and (if applicable) a list of acknowledgments; a second title page which lists the title of the play only, a 2-3 sentence keynote description of the play,  a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes.
7. Plays must be typed/word-processed, page-numbered and in standard professional play format. A brief biography may be included at the end of the manuscript, on a separate page, but is not required.
8. The Yale Drama Series reserves the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.

9. The Yale Drama Series reserves the right of the judge to not choose a winner for any given year of the competition and reserves the right to determine the ineligibility of a winner, in keeping with the spirit of the competition, and based upon the accomplishments of the author.
Submissions for the 2014 competition must be postmarked no earlier than June 1, 2013 and no later than August 15, 2013.

Do not send the only copy of your work. Manuscripts cannot be returned after the competition. If you wish receipt of your manuscript to be acknowledged, please include a stamped, self-addressed postcard.

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS:
The Yale Drama Series Competition strongly urges electronic submission. By electronically submitting your script, you will receive immediate confirmation of your successful submission and the ability to check the status of your entry.
Electronic submissions for the 2014 competition must be submitted no earlier than June 1, 2013 and no later than August 15, 2013.
If you would like to submit an electronic copy of your manuscript please go to:https://yup.submittable.com/submit

16.
America-in-Play
Deadline: July 1st

AMERICA-IN-PLAY. Founded in 2005, AIP
is dedicated to the development of new American plays and performances. AIP’s mission
is to immerse contemporary theatre and related artists in a neglected legacy of play and
performances created between the Revolution and World War I I in order to inspire
contemporary theatre making grounded in a shared cultural legacy.

AIP works with artists in three-year cycles of workshops and are now soliciting
applications for a new cohort to begin in the fall of 2013.

If you would like to know more about what we do, visit the website
at americainplay.org. I also invite you to contact me directly if you have questions:


17.
WEBSERIES SCRIPTS WANTED (TO OPTION, OR AS WRITING SAMPLES)
Deadline: rolling

Code Blue Pictures - Seeking Webseries Scripts

We are looking for completed webseries scripts to option or to evaluate as writing samples in a possible writer for hire scenario.

All genres may submit.  Submissions should be for material where the episodes are 10 min or less in length, hopefully end with a cliff hanger, with at least six episodes already scripted.
Budget is yet to be determined. WGA and Non-WGA writers may submit.
Our credits include VFX on numerous movies including "Star Wars," "Sin City," and "Gamer."

TO SUBMIT:
1. Please go to www.InkTippro.com/leads
2. Enter your email address (you will be signing up for InkTip's newsletter - FREE!)
3. Copy/Paste this code: sn2a07nxpk
4. You will be submitting a logline and synopsis only.

IMPORTANT:  Please ONLY submit your work if it fits what the lead is looking for EXACTLY

Biden's "Ok Boomer" Moment

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