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"Destination: Playwriting"
Contest Guidelines
The following guidelines govern all entries.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
-
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Play”) must be original, unpublished works of residents of the St. Louis Metropolitan area.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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The play can be about any appropriate subject.
Musicals cannot be considered, nor can plays that include
copyrighted music or song lyrics.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- The judges who will choose the finalists will read
plays received. The
decisions of the judges are final.
- 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
- The titles of the plays
chosen as finalists will be put on the theatre’s website prior to
auditions.
- Finalists are encouraged to have friends and family
audition for the plays. Auditions
will be open to the public.
- All finalists must be in attendance for the performance of their play. Dates will be announced
for each contest year.
- For finalists participating in the direction of their
scripts, the remainder of the rehearsal dates will be decided
after discussion with the individual finalists.
- 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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