FirstWorks: New Playwrights at T@F

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FirstWorks is Theatre@First's workshop program for new plays. With this program we aim to engage with Boston-area playwrights and support new works. One full-length play is chosen for each session of FirstWorks. Playwrights have the opportunity to gain feedback on their work from experienced directors and actors during the revision process, followed by a staged reading with feedback from our enthusiastic and insightful audience.

One of T@F's experienced stage directors will make a close reading of the selected script and offer feedback to the playwright. Actors will be recruited by T@F for a closed roundtable reading of the revised script with feedback offered after the reading. Following that round of revisions, this round of FirstWorks will culminate in May 2018 with a public staged reading of the revised script and a talkback session with the audience.

What are we looking for?

One full-length play will be selected. Due to logistical constraints, only shows able to be performed by a maximum of six actors will be considered. There are no subject matter criteria—we hope to be surprised and delighted. Work submitted will be subject to extensive feedback with the expectation that revisions will be performed by the playwright throughout this process.

Who should apply?

FirstWorks encourages submissions from playwrights regardless of race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, body type, age, disability or any other identity factor. Women, LGBT and POC are particularly encouraged to submit. All workshop sessions will be held in the Davis Square area of Somerville.

What if my script doesn't need revision?

FirstWorks is intended for scripts in the draft stage that can benefit from the feedback we offer. Theatre@First has a separate program for staged readings of finished scripts. For more information about that program, click here.

What will be submitted?

The initial submission consists of contact information, a short bio, a synopsis of the play, and a ten-page sample of the script. Each playwright may submit only one play per session.

Don't you want to read the whole thing?

Yes. Finalists will be asked to submit a complete script by February 1, 2018. Finalists may be invited to interview with the FirstWorks Program Director and T@F Artistic Director before the final selection is made.

Is there a fee?

No. There is no submission or participation fee and no offer of payment of any kind.

Submissions Open:

November 16, 2017

Deadline for Submissions:

December 29, 2017

Finalists Announced:

January 2018

Deadline for Finalist Script Submissions:

February 1, 2018

Show Announced:

March 1, 2018

Staged Reading:

May 2018

Questions:

Email firstworks@theatreatfirst.org.

Submission Requirements

Please cut & paste the following form into an email, fill it out, and send it to firstworks@theatreatfirst.org with your sample. Only the first submission from any individual playwright will be considered.


NAME:

EMAIL:

PHONE:

ADDRESS:

BIO: (In 250 words or less, please tell us something about yourself and your history as a playwright, or other theatre experience.)

PLAY TITLE:

# OF CHARACTERS: (Plays will be performed by a maximum of six actors. Plays for smaller casts are welcome. Plays with larger casts that cannot be accommodated by doubling roles will not be considered.)

SYNOPSIS: (In 250 words or less, please tell us what your play is about and what happens in it.)

SAMPLE: (Please attach a 10-page sample of the script to your email as a PDF or Word document. Only the first ten pages of your submission will be read.)


Thank you very much for your interest in FirstWorks and Theatre@First. We look forward to reading your submission.