The Chattanooga Theatre Centre has launched a search for original, unpublished scripts to be evaluated for possible production in the Theatre Centre’s Festival of New Plays in April of 2017.
This is the Theatre Centre's ninth Festival of New Plays, which is held every two years. As many as four scripts may be selected for production as part of the Festival April 21 – May 7, 2017.
The top script will receive a fully realized stage production at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre including sets, costumes, lighting and sound, and the playwright of the winning play will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize. Three plays will be presented as staged readings and those playwrights will be awarded cash prizes of $250 each.
Any playwright living in Tennessee or residing within a 150-mile radius of Chattanooga in surrounding states is eligible. Full rules for play submission follow and are posted on our website, TheatreCentre.com. Playwrights should submit three hard copies of his or her script with a cover letter and a submission fee of $25 per script (submission fee is waived for current members of the WGA or Dramatists Guild with proof of current membership) to Festival of New Plays, Chattanooga Theatre Centre, P.O. Box 4023, 400 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405. Scripts must be at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16.
The following information is provided to assist you in your submission:
Background
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is a not-for-profit community theatre in its 93rd season with an annual budget of one million dollars. We have an excellent facility, a deep talent pool and a strong interest in supporting new playwrights.
In April of 2017, we will host our 9th Biennial Festival of New Plays. Our previous festivals have been highly successful presentations of new, unpublished original material.
The 2017 Festival will include a series of up to four new plays selected from submissions. Up to three will receive staged readings and a $250 cash prize. The final play will be awarded a full production and the playwright will earn a $1,000 cash prize.
The Festival will take place during April/May, with the opening of the full production on Friday, April 21, 2017, for a total of ten performances over three consecutive weekends. The additional three readings will take place between April 21 and May 6. Playwrights are welcome to attend any and all activities related to their play, including rehearsals; however, we do not provide for travel or housing expenses.
The Competition
Eligibility
Any playwright living in Tennessee, or who lives within a 150-mile radius of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is eligible. There is no restriction for age. Any play that has not received more than one prior production (for these purposes, a production is defined as fully staged with or without sets or costumes, or a reading to which admission was charged) is eligible for submission. Any previously published works, or works with more than one prior production, are not eligible.
Requirements
Scripts should be full-length, although substantial one-act plays will be considered. The play can be a drama, comedy, mystery or any other format, although for this Festival, we will not accept submissions of musicals. The play must be able to be produced on one of our stages and should take into account the need for simplicity of production (no flying scenery or trap doors, etc.) There is no restriction on subject matter, although nudity, excessive or gratuitous profanity or violence, and plays that degrade any group based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, and/or sexual orientation will not be accepted.
Awards
Up to four selected scripts will receive productions as part of the Festival of New Plays.
Up to three scripts will be presented as Staged Readings; the playwrights will be awarded prizes of $250 in cash.
One script will receive a fully staged production on a CTC stage, including sets, costumes, lighting and sound; the playwright will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize.
Additional scripts may receive Honorable Mention and be given written feedback from the adjudication committee.
We reserve the right to decline the presentation of any award if, in the opinion of the adjudication committee, no qualified script is submitted.
Evaluation
Each script will receive readings by a panel of judges (the Committee) made up of members of the CTC board of directors, staff, volunteers and community members. Plays will be rated on their construction, character development and suitability to our purpose.
After the first round of readings, the Committee will choose a group of scripts to be given a final reading by a select panel of theatre professionals currently working in their field to determine the winner.
The Committee will determine which play will be given a fully staged production (as well as the $1,000 cash award) and which three plays will be given staged readings (as well as the $250 cash awards).
All decisions of the Committee shall be final.
The CTC and its Committee reserve the right to limit productions if material submitted does not meet the needs of the Festival.
Submission Guidelines
Please submit three (3) copies of your script with the playwright’s name omitted or blacked out to maintain objectivity in the review process.
Please include a single, separate cover letter providing your name, address, telephone numbers, and email address in addition to the title of your play.
Scripts will not be returned to you.
Please do not include reviews or other biographical information.
Scripts must be mailed or delivered in person to the Theatre Centre.
No scripts will be accepted via email.
Please send your scripts and cover letter, along with a submission fee of $25 in check or money order made out to the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Note: Submission fee is waived for current members of the WGA or Dramatists Guild with copy of current membership card.
Submit to: Festival of New Plays, Chattanooga Theatre Centre
PO Box 4023, 400 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405
We will begin accepting scripts immediately. Submissions must be at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre by 5 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 16. For more information, please contact Kim Jackson, Executive Director; Chattanooga Theatre Centre. execdirector@theatrecentre.com(423) 267-8538, ext. 306.