Two categories
One-Act Scripts and Ten-Minute Plays
Winners will receive a staged reading by professional actors during Festival 56, Illinois’ largest summer theatre festival. The New Works Festival will also include a playwrights’ reception and opportunities to receive feedback of the winning works. No entry fee — No cash prizes
Timetable
Submission deadline: 1 March 2016
Winners will be notified by 1 May 2016
Production dates: July 23 and 24, 2016
Competition Rules
Only complete scripts will be considered; no excerpts from longer works.
Scripts must be original, unpublished, and not previously produced.
Each playwright may submit only one script per category. It is possible for a playwright to win in both categories.
Competition is open to adult playwrights around the English-speaking world. No juvenile writers.
Target audience: adults, including young adults.
Genre: comedy, drama, tragedy, farce, hybrid; theatrical storytelling. No monologues, children’s plays, adaptations, or musicals.
Cast may contain any number of characters of any race, ethnicity, or gender.
Theme and subject matter are open; however, excessively strong language is discouraged.
Winners will grant Festival 56 and Princeton Theatre Group first production rights. Playwrights retain copyright.
At least two One-Act and up to six Ten-Minute scripts will be selected for staged readings. Total number of winners will depend upon the number and range of submissions.
The decision of the judges is final. Judges will not provide any written or verbal critiques.
• Winning playwrights are strongly encouraged to attend their readings, although attendance is not a requirement for winning. If the playwright is present, a talkback with the audience and actors will immediately follow the reading of each script.
Criteria for selection
Well developed storyline within a short work
Natural and creative dialogue
Quality of writing and dramatic structure
Ability of script to connect with an audience
Submission Guidelines
Type script with 1-inch margins on all four edges, using a 12-point serif type such as Times New Roman, Palatino, or Courier.
Use standard script format including cast of characters, setting, etc.
Do NOT put your real name on your script! On the first page of the script, under the title, put a pen name of your choice.
Use the script title as the name of this document.
Create a separate document giving your real name, address, email, phone, the title of your script, and either your real age or the statement “I am over 18.”
Use your pen name as the name of this document.
This document will not be opened until after winners have been selected.
Attach both the script document and the identifying document to an email as a Word doc, Pages doc, or PDF.
Send One-Act entries to One.Act.PTG@gmail.com by 1 March 2016.
Send Ten-Minute entries to Ten.Minute.PTG@gmail.com by 1 March 2016.
For a list of winners, see the Festival 56 website after 1 May 2016.
Princeton Theatre Group Grace Performing Arts Center 316 South Main Street Princeton IL 61356