Play Submission Guidelines (Deadline to submit: January 2, 2010)
This year's theme: TOUCH
Here's what we need from you, our potential playwright: A ten-minute play script (not longer than 10 minutes). The sense of *touch must be an important element of the play.
We accept previously produced plays. The playwright must own the rights to the play up to the end of June 2010. Any style is acceptable except musicals. Open to all without restrictions.
There is no submission fee. You may only enter ONE play (so make it count).
To submit your play go to the "submit your play to" link below and:
1. Fill out the submission form, completely. Scripts must be emailed.
2. Attach your script in a WORD document only. The WORD document must be compatible with Windows XP. (Note: Vista & Mac formats are not compatible).
3. The cover page should have the title of the play, the playwright's name and the list of
characters. The pages should be numbered.
Submit your play to (click on the link):
http://www.inspiratofestival.ca/write-a-play2.php
All submissions must be emailed by midnight, January 2, 2010. Only those playwrights whose plays have been selected will be notified by January 25, 2010. The plays will be selected by a committee of professionals from the Toronto theatre community.* Be sure to have "touch" as an important element of the play: For example a physical sensation i.e. the feeling one gets when one touches the skin or rubs a shoulder; a hug, an embrace that does or doesn't materialize; the physical act of lovemaking; a metaphorical touch i.e. touched by an angel; the forbidden act to "touch" i.e. don't touch this jewellery. You get the idea. Use your imagination.
If selected, your play will be performed in Toronto, Canada, between May & June 2010. 8-18 plays will be selected and performed! 1st Prize: $500 (CDN)
Should your play be selected for inclusion in the festival, you are giving the non-exclusive right to the Inspirato Festival to produce and perform the play from May to June 2010. The Inspirato Festival will find the cast, crew and market your play.
Authors retain copyright and full ownership of their plays. This is open to everyone without age or geographic restriction.
Get inspired.
See your story come to life.
Reasons that will disqualify your play:1. The play is longer than 10 minutes. Read your play out loud. Time it. Whether you squeeze it into ten pages or five we know if this play will go over 10 minutes.
2. The play doesn't have any element of the theme (in this case "touch"). Mentioning the theme in passing or only using it once is not enough. Be creative.
3. The format is inconsistent and/or difficult to read. We accept any format that is consistent and easy to read.
4. The play has too many characters (usually 5 or more). The best ten-minute plays have two characters, maybe three, certainly not more than four characters. Do you really need that waiter walking on stage?
5. You insist on elaborate set requirements (i.e. a deluxe bedroom set). There is less than two minutes to make a set change. Keep set requirements to a minimum.
6. The submission is not a play; the character(s) doesn't have a goal or want. Your ten-minute play should be a complete, compact play, with a beginning, middle and end. It should have a central character that wants something with a clear conflict and resolution.
Best of success.
