Orange Players Presents

Young Playwrights of Orange
Competition 2010

 

Orange Players is looking for original One Act works for their Young Playwrights of Orange competition.  The Grand Prize winning One Act plays will be produced by Orange Players and will premiere in the Fall of 2010 to the public as a play reading.  

1    How to Enter 

  • Please mail one (1) paper copy of your script, title page and a completed and signed entry form to the address noted below.  At this time, only snail mail submissions will be accepted. Electronic submissions are not allowed.

Send submissions to:   

Orange Players – Young Playwrights 2010
C/O:  Donna Wesolowski
873 Bayberry Lane
Orange, CT 06477 

  • Scripts will not be returned.

Young Playwrights Entry Form 

2    Deadline

  • One Act play submissions must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2010.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

3    Rules

  • This competition is open to 4th through 8th grade residents of Orange, CT only.

Authors must be in grades 4 through 8 on May 1, 2010.

 

  • There are two age categories. At least one winning One Act play per category will be selected if the One Act play meets criteria listed below according to the judging panel’s decision.

    • 4th, 5th & 6th grade
    • 7th & 8th grade
  • Estimated playing time for each submitted One Act play should not be less than 10 minutes and not more than 20 minutes.
  • No collaborations will be permitted.
  • Minimum of 2 and a Maximum of 8 characters per One Act play.
  • One Act plays must be written in play/script format.
    • Plays are available at the Orange Public Library for review by all potential playwrights, these plays can be used as reference material for proper play/script formatting.  Please check with the Children's Librarian, Helena Estes (upstairs) or  Rebecca Harlow at the Research Desk (downstairs) for the location of the plays.
  • One Act plays must be typed in a word processing document. If you do not have access to a computer, please call and let us know at 203-506-8227.
  • Submitted One Act plays must be:
    • 7 – 12 pages in length;
    • Double spaced;
    • On 8 ½ by 11 paper;
    • Have numbered pages; and
    • Must not be spiral bound.
  • To ensure anonymity during the reading process, no personal information should appear anywhere on the submitted script. Personal information should be included only on the Entry Form.
  • To submit a One Act, please deliver or mail the following to Orange Players:
    • Entry Form. (You will find that in this packet)
    • $3.00 registration fee – checks made payable to Orange Players. (If you have an extenuating circumstance, please call and let us know at 203-506-8227.)
    • Parent or Guardian’s signature on the Entry Form. (This is required, NO EXCEPTIONS.)
    • Title page. (Title of your play and your name.)
    • Printed copy of your script. (Your script will not be returned; please make a copy!)
  • No adaptations will be accepted.
  • Grand Prize winning One Acts in each age group will have the piece produced as a Play Reading by Orange Players.  Submitting Author’s and parent/guardians grant permission for this.
    • By submitting a piece for consideration to Orange Players, the playwright and parent or guardian agree that Orange Players may produce Grand Prize winning scripts during the Fall of 2010.  Furthermore, playwrights agree to waive any royalty for the production of the piece by Orange Players in the Fall of 2010.  Additionally, playwrights grant Orange Players exclusive production rights to the piece within Orange, CT for the Fall of 2010.  
  • Authors retain ownership of their submissions.
  • All Authors and parent/guardians give permission to have submitting Author’s photos taken for publicity purposes.
  • Planned Timelines (subject to change without notice):
    • Submissions must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2010.
    • Judging will take place over the summer.
    • Authors of winning One Acts will be notified in the Fall of 2010.
    • Auditions and readings for winning submissions will take place in the Fall of 2010.
  • While all reasonable care will be taken, Orange Players does not accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, submitted scripts.
  • Authors must guarantee that they have sole rights to all matter contained within the script.

4    How to Get Started

  • Writing a play is a big project.  It is not something you can start and finish in one night.  You will need to brainstorm, develop an idea, sketch out a plot, break it into scenes, and  work through the dialogue.  You should plan on writing a section, leaving it alone for a few days, and then sitting down to re-read what you wrote and see if it flows and makes sense.  Is it interesting? Will others enjoy it?  Re-write scenes and make changes as necessary.  The writing will become a process that you work on over the course of several days and weeks. Take your time, creativity can't be rushed.
  • Listed below are four web links to discussions on how to get started and things to think about when you are writing.  There are many more sites on the web with information and advice. Take a look at them to get yourself motivated and ready to start, then jump in and begin writing YOUR play.  We can't wait to read it!!

Writing a Play:   An Introduction to Writing a Script
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworktopics/a/play.htm 

Tips for Writing Scripts
http://www.playwrightsproject.com/tips.html

How to Write A First Play:  Tips on Play-Writing for Beginners http://writingforstagescreen.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_your_first_play

How to Write a Play Fast:  Tips for Quick Playwriting http://writingforstagescreen.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_a_play_fast 

  • Remember that plays are also available at the Orange Public Library for review by all potential playwrights, these plays can be used as reference material for proper play/script formatting.  Please check with the Children's Librarian, Helena Estes (upstairs) or Rebecca Harlow at the Research Desk (downstairs) for the location of the plays.

5    Play Selection Process

  • Submitted One Act plays will be judged on creativity, originality, depth of subject matter, and entertainment value.
  • Submitted One Act plays will be age appropriate. Judging panel will have final decision as to whether plays are appropriate.
  • During the Fall of 2010, all submitting Authors will be notified, in writing, of winning scripts.  Winners will also be posted on the Orange Players web site at - www.orangeplayers.net.

6    Production Process

  • Grand Prize winning plays will undergo a rehearsal period followed by a stage reading Production during the Fall of 2010. Playwrights will be allowed to attend auditions and several rehearsals prior to production. Re-writes during this time will be allowed at the discretion of the director.
  • Playwrights will not direct their Grand Prize winning submissions.  As producer, Orange Players will select directors for each Grand Prize winning submission.