Samuel French 46th Annual Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival

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Deadline: December 15, 2020 11:59 PM

While the COVID-19 pandemic still poses questions for our ability to physically host the festival in 2021, this past year has proven that, no matter what, we are committed to short plays. When the top 30 plays/musicals are chosen for the 2021 festival, we will let the 30 playwrights know if the festival will be virtual or physical before they commit to proceeding further in the competition.

Short plays and musicals can be no longer than 15 pages and have a max run time of 15 minutes (ideal run times are between 8-13 minutes). If submitting a musical the page limit should reflect the libretto.

Writers may submit only 1 play, including plays they have co-authored. Producers (writer’s groups, theatre companies, universities, etc.) may submit up to 15 plays accredited to their organization, but can only submit one play by an individual playwright.

Script submissions will be accepted in digital format only, via Submittable.

TO SUBMIT:

• Your OOB Submission must be submitted by the Author[s] of the Play unless you are submitting as the representative of an Organization. 

• The author is responsible for securing a producing company (or self-producing) their work in the event that the work is selected as a Festival participant. The Producer will present the Play and generally act as producer, and perform its other obligations under this application, all without the knowledge, consent or approval of any third party and without infringing the rights or damaging any third party. The responsibilities of the Producer include, but are not limited to: the casting (note; our 2021 festival will be a non-equity festival); the appointment of the director, designers and technical personnel; rehearsals; transportation; costumes, hand properties and special effects; and all fees and expenses attendant thereto.

• The author is also required to select a Production Liaison, who is authorized to speak and act for the Producer in all matters concerning the Festival. 

• Script submissions will be accepted in digital format only, via Submittable. Each submission should be uploaded as a single PDF document. Documents must be labeled as follows: PlayTitle_Author’s Last Name.pdf. 

• All portions of the application must be complete.

• Concord Theatricals will notify applicants of their admission into the OOB Festival by mid-May 2021.

Each nomination must submit a separate application form. Conglomerate entries on one application are not acceptable.

Plays must be written in English (non-English words or phrases within the context of the play are allowed).

Plays must be typed, and in no less that 10-point type, in conjunction with formatting listed in the Submission Formatting Guidelines. Note that cover pages or additional cast size pages are not required and will not be counted against the 15 page limit.

Playwrights previously published by any Concord Theatricals company, including Concord Theatricals, Samuel French, Inc., Tams-Witmark, Rodgers & Hammerstein, or The Musical Company, are not eligible for submission into the Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival. This includes winners of previous Samuel French Festivals.

If a play was submitted to the Festival in a previous year but was not chosen for production, it may be resubmitted for the 2021 Festival.

Poetry and short story readings will not be accepted.

Concord Theatricals in its sole and absolute discretion, shall select plays for participation in the 2021 OOB Festival from among all entries, and its decisions are final. Concord Theatricals reserves the right to remove any selected play from participation if the play, its producers, and/or its authors are not in compliance with the Application and/or the Competition Guidelines, and/or if the additional documents are not timely signed and returned. Production of selected plays shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Producer, and no royalties or other payments are or will be owed by Concord Theatricals.