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Thursday, October 16, 2014

One Act Playwriting Competition - Shakespeare in the 'Burg

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The One Act Playwriting Competition in conjunction with our Second Annual Shakespeare in the ‘Burg theater festival scheduled for March 27-29, 2015 in Middleburg, VA.

CATEGORIES

There are two categories of plays that will be judged: Plays written by students ages 12-17, and plays written by adults, ages 18 and over. Please note that you can write in any style you choose; this is not a “Shakespeare” writing competition, so plays in any genre are welcome.

There is no monetary prize for the competition, but the winning plays will receive a public reading with an audience. The winning plays will be performed the weekend of March 28-30, 2015 at the Middleburg Community Center in Middleburg, VA.

RULES

Open To All Playwrights

Scripts must be original, unpublished and not produced professionally. Musicals, monologues, adaptations, film scripts and television scripts are not eligible. Scripts may be performed in a workshop environment but may not have had a public performance.

The goal should be to produce a small to medium-sized cast, one-set show with running times of no less than 25 minutes and no more than one hour.

No more than one submission per playwright. Give us your best work!

All scripts must be typewritten. If sending a hard copy, please number the pages and use paper clips or staples to ensure your pages stay together.

Submissions should include:
  • Playwright bio.
  • Brief Synopsis
  • Contact page with name, address and telephone number of the playwright, along with a separate title page with no contact info or name. On all subsequent pages, only the title of the play should appear at the top of each numbered page. This will be a blind competition. Judges will not know the names of the authors while judging the plays.
  • Cast of characters with descriptions.
Scripts will be judged on concept, dramatic action, characterization and dialogue. All production and publication rights remain the property of the playwright.

The decision of the judges is final. While we do not assume responsibility for the loss, damage or return of scripts, all reasonable care will be taken. If you want your script back, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and we will make every effort to return it to you.

FORMAT

Scripts should be formatted in keeping with traditional playwriting manuscripts. Since these are one-act plays without scene changes, it is not as critical to include scene headings. However, feel free to include stage directions and an “at rise” description (what will happen as the lights come up or the curtain rises).

Put all stage directions in parentheses.

Use 8-1/2 x11 paper if submitting a hard copy.

Number all pages in the upper right hand corner.

Include the title of the play in a header on every page.

Margins should be one-inch, right and left, top and bottom.

USE ALL CAPS to identify the character speaking.

If a character’s speaking lines go over a page break, identify the character speaking with a second character tag on the new page—e.g., JOHN (cont’d).

Double space after stage directions or dialogue and before a character tag.

If formatting becomes confusing or difficult, then choose a format and stick to it. Consistency in formatting is the most important thing.

Where To Send Your Script

Send a duplicate copy, not your original. Send hard copies to:
Genie Ford
36523 Mountville Road
Middleburg VA 20117
OR

You may also email your script to: genie@printmanagementinc.com, and in fact, we prefer emails.

In the subject line, please write: Shakespeare in the ‘Burg One-Act Play

WHEN To Send Your Script!

The deadline for entries is a postmark or email by October 31, 2014.

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