Deadline: May 1st, 2021
New Voices is a two-week production process for students ages 13-19 that takes original one-act plays from script to stage for public performance. These plays will be written, directed, designed, performed, and technically managed by program participants, running from June 21-June 30. No previous theatrical experience required! Production mentorship will be provided by experienced members of the Olney Theatre Center staff. The program culminates in a final virtual performance of the one-act plays on June 30, 2021. With New Voices, students can be extensively involved in all aspects of the theater, not just performance.
New Voices is fueled by the ideas of student playwrights, who are tasked with writing one-act plays or musicals in response to an open-ended question. Shows are selected by the “New Voices Board,” consisting of Olney Theatre administrative staff and student program leaders. Playwrights are invited, but not required, to participate in any of the other five pathways.
Writers: your job is to write a one-act play or musical that reads a minimum of 10 minutes in length and a maximum of 30 minutes in length. Plays must be written in script format with dialogue, stage directions, etc. No stories written as narratives will be accepted. From all of our writing submissions, 3-6 one-acts will be selected to be produced in this year’s program. Your show must respond to this prompt:
We’re all exhausted by the pandemic, but we’re all affected by it. Take a theme of the pandemic (examples include isolation, sickness, crisis, identity loss, connection etc.) and tell us a story about that theme without mentioning the topic of COVID-19.
We urge you to be as creative as you can. Think outside the box, and write about what is important to you.
Email writing submissions to teencouncil@olneytheatre.org. The email’s subject must read “Last Name, First Name: Writing Submission” and contain a PDF of your script.
Additionally, please submit the writers’ profile form online. Any one-act submitted without the accompanying form will not be considered.
Writers’ Profile Form:
https://forms.gle/nmfFGX1DjQGizbFQ7