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Tuesday, July 21, 2015

THIRD ANNUAL UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS- AMHERST NEW PLAY LAB: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

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WHAT IS THE UMASS AMHERST NEW PLAY LAB?
The Play Lab is a UMass Department of Theater mainstage production, running from March 20 – April 2, 2016. One playwright will be chosen for a two week residency during this period. These residencies are structured around a series of public staged readings directed and dramaturged by UMass Amherst graduate students and performed by undergraduate actors. The two week workshop term allows time for exploration in rehearsal and the generation of new material.

WHAT IS THE UMASS AMHERST NEW PLAY LAB’S MISSION?
Our mission this year is to develop two exceptional new plays: one from our current visiting artist Kim Euell, and the other selected through this call. The Play Lab is process oriented, focusing on an experience that is educational, exploratory, and collaborative. The workshops will have minimal technical/design support, but the emphasis will be on presenting and responding to the text. The UMass Amherst Department of Theater's commitment to new play development is internationally recognized, from our groundbreaking work with New WORLD Theater to our recent collaborations with artists like MJ Kaufman, Michael Yates Crowley, Will Power, Marcus Gardley, and Constance Congdon. We approach new play development with rigor and sensitivity and we're seeking playwrights who are as passionate about this process as we are.

WHAT SUPPORT DOES THE UMASS AMHERST NEW PLAY LAB PROVIDE?
We offer a $750 honorarium per playwright. Accommodations will be provided. Playwrights are responsible for booking their travel arrangements, and will be reimbursed for a portion of the cost. The playwright may be asked to give a playwriting workshop to students for an additional honorarium.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF PLAYWRIGHTS DURING RESIDENCY?
The playwright is expected to be in residency for the full 2 week workshop period. During this time, the playwright may provide as many changes as desired. The playwright is expected to attend nightly rehearsals and the three readings. The playwright can choose to participate in audience talkbacks. Playwrights may be asked to meet or discuss the play with the team prior to residency as available.

WHAT KINDS OF PLAYS CAN I SUBMIT?
Plays must be full-length. Musicals are not accepted. Submissions may have had a previous reading, workshop, or production; as a rule, though, the Play Lab exists to develop relatively new work, so unproduced material will be given priority in our selection.
This year we are specifically seeking plays and playwrights that:
offer something fresh, bold, or even dangerous in their form, style, or themes
center around issues relevant to a campus community
will benefit from a workshop with undergraduate performers and graduate student staff
may give voice to underrepresented communities (e.g. LGBTQA folks, people of color, women, etc.)

HOW DO I SUBMIT MY PLAY(S)?
Submit manuscripts to umassplaylab@gmail.com. All documents must be submitted in .pdf format; plays formatted otherwise will be disqualified. Please include a concise playwright’s bio and a short summary of how you think your play might benefit from a developmental reading.
Submissions will be capped at 250 plays.

WHAT IS THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE?
The deadline is Monday, August 3, 2015.

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