Plays and Playwrights

This item submitted by Christopher Fields and Shawn Harris

Are you a playwright of color with little or no production experience? A new weekly or bimonthly playwriting unit of 4-6 writers is forming with the objective of assisting in the development and critique of new work and to collectively explore avenues of production. Once or twice a month, we will have an in-depth discussion of your script. This group will not only provide the accountability you need to get your first script on paper, but also feedback from other writers on perceived strengths and weaknesses, applications of drama theory, writing ideas and more. Occasionally, we may network with established writers and theater professionals. After a few months, we would like to self-produce a night of readings or a series of small-scale staged productions. We have full-time access to rehearsal loft space in Brooklyn.

We would prefer to work with writers on the more experimental/avant-garde scale. As of now, the group’s plays deal heavily on the social and historical dynamics of race and racism but this isn’t the only topic that interests us. We welcome writers who take inspiration from the likes of Adrienne Kennedy, Suzan Lori-Parks, George C. Wolfe. We also welcome beginning and established playwrights writing traditionally structured plays like those of August Wilson, James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry. You should be queer-friendly but all sexual orientations are welcome and sexuality does not have to be a focus of your writing.

We hope you will join us in helping to build this collective. With dedication and directed energy to each other and to our craft, we can broadcast our voices and ensure each other’s success. If interested, please e-mail Christopher Fields at info@brandshire.com

This item submitted by Pauline Stack, ASCAP

Submissions deadline is Friday, February 26, 2010.

As part of its continuing commitment to nurture new American musicals, The ASCAP Foundation is seeking new musicals for the annual ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in New York. Serving once more as artistic director for the workshop is Stephen Schwartz. The workshop will take place April 14, 15, 26, 27, 28 and 29, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. sharp, at ASCAP, 5th Floor, One Lincoln Plaza (Broadway between 63rd and 64th Streets) in New York.

Writers interested in applying for participation in The ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in New York should submit the following:

*A CD of four (4) songs with lyric sheets *A brief description of each song as to its plot placement *A brief synopsis of the musical *Biographical information for each composer, lyricist & book writer *Contact information for each collaborator (email address / phone number / mailing address).

Send complete submission package to:
Michael A. Kerker
ASCAP/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop
ASCAP
7920 W. Sunset Boulevard, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90046

This item submitted by Ty DeMartino

The Frostburg State University Center for Creative Writing in western Maryland announces its first annual One-Act Playwriting Competition to showcase new works.

Writers are encouraged to submit their one act plays (running time of 40-minutes or less) to the Center by April 1, 2010. All entries will be judged on plot, character development, dialogue and overall quality.

First prize will receive $750 and production of their play at The Frostburg One-Act Playwriting Festival to be held on the FSU campus in September of 2010. Second and third places will receive $250 and $100, respectively, and staged readings of their works.

For submission guidelines, visit The Center for Creative Writing’s website.