MemoryCare is sponsoring a one act playwriting competition to highligt the issues families face when a loved one suffers from dementia

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MemoryCare is sponsoring a one act playwriting competition to highligt the issues families face when a loved one suffers from dementia. The top three one acts selected by a committee will be produced for a dramatized staged reading final competition with audience selection of prize ranking. Alzheimer's disease impacts an entire family due to the long course and eventual dependency created by dementia. Caregivers, in a combination of love and duty, try to ease the difficult journey of someone suffering from the progressive loss of their ability to think, remember, and communicate. We are seeking plays that dramatize the full complexity and richness of the caregiving relationship, including its challenges as well as its rewards.

DETAILS

Recognition and Prizes:

The top three submissions will be performed on Saturday, May 18, 2013 in a staged reading at Grace Centre in the Asheville, North Carolina area for the final competition (readers will be auditioned).
First Place: $1500, Second Place: $750 Third Place: $500

Finalists will be invited to attend the staged reading. One night of lodging at hotel chosen by MemoryCare but no travel reimbursement will be provided.

Requirements and Restrictions Regarding One Act Play Submissions:

• Length of submission: Submissions should not be less than 20 minutes nor exceed 35 minutes in dramatized staged reading time.
• Characters limited between one and eight.
• Work should be original to the playwright. No previously produced plays or adaptations from other published works or musicals should be submitted.
• Only one submission per playwright.
• Submission deadline: September 4, 2012
• Finalists announced by January 14, 2013; finalists will be contacted by email and phone.

Submissions should be sent electronically as a PDF document using standard play format by
email to: noel@memorycare.org and in paper form to:

MemoryCare, Attn:
Dr. Margaret Noel
100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville 28803

Finalists to be selected on the following characteristics:
-The play’s content and structure is relevant to the topic guide above
-Insight regarding family dynamics and caregiving for a person with dementia
-Ability to convey theme and ideas through character, staging, and dialogue
-Entertainment value

Jury Process: MemoryCare’s planning committee will review all submissions and narrow the group to up to 10 semi-finalists. The top three submissions will be chosen by a jury of writers and drama professionals.

Entrants to this playwriting competition agree to the following conditions with the entry of any submission:

1) The submission is the sole intellectual property of the entrant.
2) Entrant consents to MemoryCare’s unlimited use of credited excerpts from the submitted work for non-profit educational purposes.
3) Entrant understands that the dramatized staged reading competition will be conducted as a benefit for MemoryCare with all proceeds going to the charity.
4) This competition depends on the submission of sufficient high quality material to proceed with production. Entrant understands that MemoryCare may amend the rules of the
competition if insufficient submissions are received.
5) The competition may be filmed.
6) Entrant has read and fully understands the terms and conditions of MemoryCare’s playwriting competition.