Scripts wanted for children's theatre

DEADLINE FEBRUARY 1, 2011

The Maryland- National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Arts and Cultural Heritage Division, announces a call for submission of original scripts, in English, musical or non-musical, to be used for the annual children's theatre production that tours Prince George's County as part of M-NCPPC programs.

Intended audience is children 6 to 12 years of age. The play will be developed as a musical and performed by actors aged 16 to 20.

Awards of $1,000.00 will be presented to finalists, whose plays shall be developed during the Spring of 2010 and produced by M-NCPPC during the Summer of 2010, at its sole discretion. Up to two First Prize Awards may be chosen. A play submitted with full musical score including recorded soundtrack suitable for performance use shall be eligible for an additional award of $1,200 for Musical Composition.

Guidelines: Original plays to be submitted may be new, original conceptions or may be adaptations or dramatizations of fairytales, myths or other works. If adapted material is submitted, written proof must also be submitted indicating that the material used for the script is in the public domain. Only one submission per playwright or collaborating team will be permitted.

A collaborating team, who will share the First Prize Awards, may write the book, lyrics and musical score. In the case of a play submitted as book and lyrics only, a composer will be selected by The M-NCPPC to score the music and produce the recorded soundtrack. Submissions must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2011.

Total Playing Time, must be 45 minutes minimum to a maximum of one hour.

Plays submitted must limit to no more than ten (10), the number of actors needed to perform the piece, although actors may perform more than one role. Scenic elements are set-up by the actors in 30 minutes before each performance and are loaded out after each performance. Plays should not be dependent upon theatrical lighting instruments. Plays may call for a pre-recorded musical sound track and other sound cues, but cannot require a live orchestra or band for production. Electronically synthesized music or pre-recorded piano accompaniment is acceptable.

For additional information contact christel.stevens@pgparks.com, telephone 301-446-3238, TTY 301-446-6802.