"Destination: Playwriting"

Contest Guidelines

The following guidelines govern all entries.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. All submissions (“The Play”) must be original, unpublished works of residents of the St. Louis Metropolitan area. One writer or a collaboration of two may write the play providing both meet the residency requirements. Adaptations will be accepted provided the writers can verify that 1) the original work is in the public domain and 2) that their adaptation is from that original public domain work. Adaptations of work not currently in the public domain will be allowed only if the playwrights submit written documentation of permission from the writers of the original work. Writers may submit one play per contest year whether written alone or in collaboration.

FORMAT OF SCRIPT

2. The play must be a total of 7 to 17 typed pages including a title page, a character/setting page and 5 to 15 pages of script.
3. A title page, should include the following information: the title of your play, the name(s) of the playwright(s) (with the primary contact name listed first), contact address, contact phone number, contact e-mail address, contest category (youth or adult), and the words “New Play Contest Submission”.  The playwright(s) name(s) should not appear anywhere else on the script.

CONTENT OF SCRIPT

4. Whereas scene changes tend to break up the action of the play, the play should be made up of no more than four scenes whether they take place in the same or different locations.  Scenes are defined simply as necessary breaks in the action such as where time between two sections are not continuous or the location changes.
5. Whereas character development is vital in the process of playwriting, the play should have 2 to 10 characters.  If two or more plays are equal in quality, the play with the fewer number of characters will be chosen.
6. Destination Theatre Company is a Christian theatre company.  While it is not required that scripts present a Christian theme or message, all scripts must uphold Christian morals and a Christian worldview.
7. The play can be about any appropriate subject.  Musicals cannot be considered, nor can plays that include copyrighted music or song lyrics.
8. Any scripts containing cursing; innuendo or any content, theme or action deemed inappropriate, in the sole opinion of the judges, will be disqualified by the theatre company with no requirement that the script be read in its entirety.

SUBMISSION OF SCRIPT

9. All submissions must be received by December 31st of the contest year in order to be eligible.  Plays not meeting this deadline will not be acknowledged or returned.  The theatre company is not responsible for lost, delayed or damaged scripts.  Scripts should be mailed, postage paid, to Destination Theatre Company New Play Contest; 1370 Swallow Ln.; Florissant MO, 63031.
10. All submissions must include one complete bound or stapled copy of the script and a digital copy of the script on CD-ROM in either a WORD (2007 or earlier), TEXT or .pdf file.  If you do not have access to the capability of creating a CD-ROM, the play may be emailed to contest@destinationtc.org.  If this method is used, indicate such use on the submission form.  Emails will not be downloaded nor attachments opened until submission form has been received.  A hard copy must still be included as stated above.  All pages should have the play title and page number in the upper right-hand corner in case the pages of the script become separated.  Do not put the playwright(s) name(s) on any page of the scripts except the title page.  
11. All playwrights making submissions agree that sections (up to one complete page) of the script may be used for marketing purposes on the website or in print advertising for the company for up to two years after the conclusion of the contest and performance.

JUDGING SCRIPTS

12. The judges who will choose the finalists will read plays received.  The decisions of the judges are final. 
13. Plays will be judged based on appropriate length, appropriate number of scenes and characters, easily followed story line, simplicity of staging and perceived overall quality of the script.

FINALISTS

14. The titles of the plays chosen as finalists will be put on the theatre’s website prior to auditions.
15. Finalists are encouraged to have friends and family audition for the plays.  Auditions will be open to the public.
16. All finalists must be in attendance for the performance of their play.  Dates will be announced for each contest year.
17. For finalists participating in the direction of their scripts, the remainder of the rehearsal dates will be decided after discussion with the individual finalists.
18. Once plays are chosen and announced, non-chosen playwrights may contact the theatre company for feedback on the script but must understand that it may not be possible for all such requests to be addressed quickly or at all depending on the number of such requests.

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