Forward Theater Company Announces Call for Submissions

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NOTE: there is no fee for the first two scripts submitted. A fee of $5 per script will be charged after the first two scripts.

Playwrights Are Asked to Write about “Soul Food”

GUIDELINES FOR PLAY SUBMISSION

• We are soliciting new, original monologues between two and ten minutes long. Since the festival will include ten to twelve monologues, it is important that each one require as little production as possible; set-pieces, props, or effects needing set-up, strike, or special technical support may disqualify an otherwise excellent submission.

• The plays should be inspired by the theme: “Soul Food.”

• Scripts should be a maximum of eight pages long, double-spaced, using a standard format (twelve point font), and be written for a single actor to perform. (Please read it aloud and include the approximate performance time on the first page of your submission; all lengths of up to ten minutes will be considered, with the objective of choosing monologues of varying lengths).

• We do not accept musical submissions, adaptations, or children’s plays.

• Keep in mind that you are writing for the stage – pieces must have dynamic, dramatic structure

• Each playwright may submit up to two scripts with no fee. For each additional script, there is a $5 reading fee, payable by check to Forward Theater Company. Checks may be sent to Forward Theater Company, PO Box 14574, Madison, WI  53708.

• We are looking to mount premiere productions of submitted monologues. If the piece has previously received a fully-realized production, please do NOT submit. Monologues that have been given public readings are allowed.

• Each manuscript must include an additional title page with name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Please do not list your name anywhere on the monologue itself.

• You may submit via e-mail ONLY to grice@forwardtheater.com. Please use the subject line “monologue festival.”  E-Submissions will be accepted until midnight (central time) on July 1, 2012.

• Entries will be acknowledged by e-mail once they have been received. Due to the volume of scripts we are unable to offer criticism or return any submissions.

• The winning scripts will be announced on our website (forwardtheater.com), on or before October 1, 2012.

• Writers will be credited in all marketing and playbill materials; no royalties will be paid for performance. Monologues will be individually rehearsed and coached by the director until the week of the performance when the entire company will rehearse at the Overture Center. Playwrights are entitled to two complimentary tickets to the opening performance; tickets are not transferable.

For more information, please visit forwardtheater.com, or email Gwendolyn Rice at grice@forwardtheater.com.

Madison, WI - Forward Theater Company is asking authors to wax poetic about food – anything from making chocolate cookies for the first time, to unearthing a coveted secret family recipe, to a dinner party gone terribly wrong. Playwrights from across the country are invited to contribute to the company’s second monologue festival, “Soul Food,” which will be presented on November 9-11 at Overture Center.  With original work by both established and up-and-coming playwrights, Forward will be assembling an engaging evening of comedy and drama that examines our relationships with comfort food, fast food, ethnic specialties, fine dining, and everything in between.

Artistic Director Jennifer Uphoff Gray commented, “When Forward was established, one of the things we wanted to do was promote the development of new plays.  This is a great way to work one-on-one with a wide variety of playwrights and get to know their writing styles.”

This event follows up Forward’s first monologue festival, which focused on monologues on the theme “The Love That Changed My Life,” and featured new work from Wisconsin writers, emerging playwrights from across the country, and more established playwrights such as Christopher Durang, Beth Henley, and Connie Congdon. Communications Director Gwen Rice explained, “The festival in 2010 was a huge success, both artistically and at the box office – we added performances and sold out every show. We’re very excited to challenge writers, directors, and actors with a new batch of plays themed around food experiences and obsessions.”