Deadline: November 30th, 2022
(Will be reviewed on a rolling basis)
Only Make Believe (www.onlymakebelieve.org) is seeking to commission a playwright for their 2023/2024 season of in person and virtual programming.
Only Make Believe creates interactive theatre with children in hospitals, schools, and care facilities. Inspiring joy and imagination, our professional actors engage children with medically fragile conditions and developmental disabilities, fostering social and emotional growth. Our shows are highly interactive and allow children to participate during the narrative in whatever way they are able. Moments of improvisation written into each show allow for these moments of engagement to be structured and transformative.
The commission requires writing a 40-60 minute in person or virtual performance piece for children and their families performed by a team of three professional actors, with moments of interaction as an essential storytelling component in the play. Pieces may contain rhymes set to music and the use of non speaking communication whenever possible.
● Piece should be an unwritten original TYA play or a modern take of a narrative within the public domain.
● Piece should be age-appropriate, for ages 4+ and accessible for children who are neuro-diverse and/or with developmental disabilities.
● Piece will be workshopped and premiered in our 2024 season by professional actors (over 18+), Cast/Director/Choreographer/Production provided by Only Make Believe.
● Must be ready for pre-production in January 2024.
● Creators retain all rights to their material, but allow Only Make Believe a five-year exclusive option to produce the show without royalty payments.
COMPENSATION
The playwright will receive a minimum stipend of $3,000.
To Apply, please send:
● A proposal for your play of no more than 1000 words, including your basic premise as well as how it will incorporate the required elements of audience interaction.
● A ten-page sample of your writing, preferably something that has been intended for a youth/family market.
● Bio and/or resume.
● A statement as to why you think you are a good fit for this project.
● A description of your proposed timeline.
Application Procedures
Send materials to Attn: Christopher Wilson, Director of Programming, cwilson@onlymakebelieve.org (PDF and links preferred- please do not attach large files) OR SUBMIT THROUGH THIS FORM