Plays and Playwrights

The Musical Theater Program at Pace University is currently accepting submissions of new musical theater works for a series of performances at Pace University in January 2011.

The chosen piece will be given a full reading in the Schaeberle Theater at Pace University in lower Manhattan, with actors chosen from the musical theater student body. There will be a two week rehearsal period starting Wednesday, January 5, 2011 with 8 performances starting January 18 and ending January 23, 2011.

PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING (If you would like your submissions returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your application):

• CD or mp3 files of three songs with sheet music (lead sheets are acceptable)
• A brief description of each song as to its plot placement
• A brief synopsis of the musical including time period and number of scene locations
• A character breakdown including age, sex, approximate vocal part and a short description of each character.
• Biographical information for each composer, lyricist & book writer. (Please include address/phone number/email)

SEND YOUR PACKAGE TO:
Robert Meffe
Pace New Musicals
c/o Pace University Department of Performing Arts
41 Park Row, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10038

or if submitting electronically: pacenewmusicals@gmail.com

If submitting electronically, please send files in Adobe pdf format, Microsoft Word format or Finale files up to Finale 2010.

Deadline: October 8, 2010

PLEASE NOTE:

• Please submit 3 songs only. If you send us a full recording, we will only listen to the first 3 songs.
• Submissions do not need to be produced in a studio. We are looking for talent and potential, not how well something is produced.
• You will be notified by October 31, 2010 if you have been selected to present your musical.
• Please include copyright clearances if they are necessary.  Works cannot be considered without these.
• If the piece is currently under option, please submit a letter from the option holder giving permission for entry.

This item submitted by Ma-Yi Theatre Company

The Ma-Yi Writers is currently seeking submissions for membership.  We plan to review submission materials now through the end of the summer, and invite new members to join us starting in September 2010.  

Currently led by Co-Directors Qui Nguyen and Lloyd Suh, the Lab is a professional peer-based workshop in permanent residence with Ma-Yi Theater Company, designed to nurture, develop and produce Asian American playwrights in New York.

Submit an application.

This item from Sam Rudy, publicist

In accepting the position, Mr. Guare remarked: 

“In a few short years, the Yale Drama Series has asserted itself as the preeminent playwriting contest in the English speaking world.  This annual event has become a playwright’s dream… 

Are there guidelines?  What are we looking for?  Diaghilev said it best. When Jean Cocteau asked the great impresario what he wanted, Diaghilev simply replied ‘Astonish me’.  Don’t worry.  Sometimes the simplest truths can be the most astonishing.  And then again – not. The Foundation and Yale’s goal is to uncover and give new voices to the theater.  We welcome all entries to this celebration of the playwright.”

The winner of the Yale Drama Series – given annually to an emerging playwright — is awarded a prize of $10,000, publication of the play by the Yale University Press, and a reading at the Yale Repertory Theatre. The David C. Horn Foundation funds the annual international playwriting competition.

Submissions for the 2011 Yale Drama Series competition must be postmarked no earlier than June 1, 2010 and no later than August 15, 2010.  The competition is open to any original, unpublished, and unproduced full-length play in English.  For complete contest rules, please visit www.dchornfoundation.org/.

This item from Montgomery Sutton, EBE Ensemble

EBE Ensemble is accepting submissions for their fourth annual new one-act play festival, Elephants on Parade 2011.

Between three and six plays will be selected for the festival, which will run for two or three weeks in April 2011 in New York City. Selected playwrights will receive a small stipend, be invited to participate in an audience talkback, and be featured in an online interview series surrounding the festival.

Submission Guidelines:

      • One-Act plays, less than 25 minutes in length.

      • Only electronic (emailed) submissions will be accepted.

      • Playwrights may submit up to 2 plays for consideration. Both plays should be attached to the same email message.

      • Plays may not have received their New York premiere (though readings, workshops, non-professional school productions, or productions outside of the New York metro area are allowed).

      • Plays may have no more than 6 characters, and no more than 1 character may be outside of the ages of 16-35. 

In addition to the play, all submissions should include:

      • Full contact information (email, phone, and mailing address) in the body of the email.

      • A writing resume (any other artistic resumes may also be included) attached.

      • A brief synopsis (less than 150 words) in the body of the email.

      • A complete scenic and character breakdown, including ages and any special requirements, in the body of the email.

      • All submissions must be received by July 31, but earlier submissions are encouraged. Selected playwrights will be notified by September 1. 

To submit, please send all requested materials in PDF, DOC, or RTF format to literary@ebeensemble.com. 

Submissions cannot be considered for the festival until all required materials have been received.

For more information, please visit www.ebeensemble.com or email info@ebeensemble.com.

This item from Matt Ross, the Hartman Group PR

Applications will be accepted between June 1 and June 30. The necessary form and information are available at http://www.fredebbfoundation.org/ The Fred Ebb Award recognizes excellence in musical theatre songwriting, by a lyricist, composer, or songwriting team that has not yet achieved significant commercial success. The award is meant to encourage and support aspiring songwriters to create new works for the musical theatre. The prize includes a $50,000 award.

The applicant, either a composer/lyricist or composer/lyricist team, must meet at least one of the following requirements: 

1. Work by the applicant has been produced on stage or in workshop.
2. At least one song by the applicant has been published, recorded, or performed professionally.
3. Applicant is or has been a member of a professional musical theater workshop or a musical theater development program.
4. Applicant has not yet achieved significant commercial success. 

Applications for the 2010 Fred Ebb Award will be accepted from June 1 through June 30, 2010.  Required materials are: 

1. A CD of up to four songs for one or more musical theater pieces, with typewritten lyrics and a description of the dramatic context for each song.
2. A completed application form. 

The application form, along with detailed guidelines and information, are available at www.fredebbfoundation.org. Applications should be mailed to:

Fred Ebb Award
Roundabout Theatre, 231 West 39^th Street
Suite 1200
New York, New York 10018.  

The winner will be selected in the Fall of 2010. 

This item submitted by Jen Grigg

FUSION Theatre Company Announces Fifth Annual Short Works Festival. Seven fully-produced world premieres. Seven different directors. A professional ensemble cast. One winning playwright who will receive transport and lodging to Albuquerque for the festival.

GUIDELINES FOR PLAY SUBMISSION

■The plays should be inspired by the theme: “Hidden Agendas”
■Scripts may be a maximum of 10 pages.
■Each playwright may submit up to two scripts.
Do NOT include the phrase “Hidden Agendas” in the text of the play.
■We are looking to mount premiere productions of submitted plays. If the play has previously received a fully-mounted production, please do NOT submit. Plays that have been given public readings are allowable.
■Longer one-act or full-length plays will not be accepted for consideration.
■Each manuscript must include an additional title page with name, address, phone number and e-mail address.
■The easiest and our preferred method of receiving scripts is via e-submission. There is a nominal cost of $5 to offset printing and distribution costs to do so. You may submit up to two scripts with this fee by following this link.

You may also mail your submissions AT NO COST to:
FUSION Theatre Company
Attn: The Seven Submissions
700 1st St. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
There is no submission fee with this option.
POSTMARKED DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: FRIDAY, APRIL 16th, 2010.
■E-Submissions will be accepted until midnight on that date.
■Entries will be acknowledged by e-mail once they have been received. Due to the volume of scripts we are unable to offer criticism or return any submissions.
■Finalists will be announced on Friday, April 23rd. The winning seven will be announced on Friday, May 7th.