Reva Shiner Comedy Award

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NO SUBMISSION FEE FOR DRAMATIST GUILD MEMBERS:  The $10 submission fee will be waived for Dramatist Guild members with an enclosed photocopy of a membership card. 

No submission fee for agent-submitted submissions.

We are currently accepting submissions for the 2013-14 Reva Shiner Comedy Award (deadline Oct. 31, 2012). The top 10 finalists and the winner of the 2012-13 Reva Shiner Comedy Award will be announced at the end of March.

The Reva Shiner Comedy Award presents an unpublished full-length comedy with a cash prize ($1,000), a full production as part of the Bloomington Playwrights Project's Mainstage season, and travel expenses up to $300. Previous winners have gone on to enjoy productions around the world and to garner additional honors such as the National Play Award. Past winners of the award include Amanda Rogers, Anne Flanagan, Lynda Martens, Johnna Adams, Terri Wagener, Sarah Treem, Buzz McLaughlin, Janet Burroway, Jamie Pachino, Itamar Moses, Judy Sheehan, and Alan Brody.

The Bloomington Playwrights Project is a not-for-profit theatre with non-Equity performers. The theatre is a black box with 90 seats. Because the BPP is a script-developing organization, winning playwrights are expected to become part of the development process, working with the director in person or via long-distance.

The winning play receives a production during the Mainstage season following the selection; the winning playwright receives $1,000.

Rules and Submission Guidelines

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION (subject to change):

1. "Full-length" plays will have a complete running time of between 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes) to 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).

2. Plays submitted must be unpublished at the time of submission. Plays that have received developmental readings, workshop productions, or productions at small theatre companies are acceptable. No scripts with previous productions at major regional theaters will be accepted. Once entered, subsequent activity does not change the acceptability of the script.

3. Each submission must include a synopsis (1 page or less) including the cast size. A separate page should include a brief bio of the playwright, and production/development history if applicable.

4. Each submission must include a cover letter with contact information and a $10.00 reader fee. Agent submissions require no fee. The fee will be waived for Dramatist Guild members with an enclosed photocopy of a membership card. The BPP only accepts U.S. checks or money orders (Make check payable to "BPP").  No international checks or money orders will be accepted.  If submitting internationally or if you want to avoid paying by check, pay online with your credit card here:

Make sure to note with your submission that you have paid the reader fee online.

5. It is preferable for musicals to include a demo CD. The complete score is not necessary but may be included. All plays are read by BPP's literary personnel led by and including the Literary Manager and Artistic Director.

6. We do not accept e-mail submissions. Scripts will not be returned.

7. The BPP reserves the right not to name a winner and/or name a winner but not commit to a reading or production. These instances are rare but can and do occur.

8. Send to:
Reva Shiner Comedy Award
Bloomington Playwrights Project
107 W. 9th Street
Bloomington, IN 47404

9. Scripts must be postmarked by Octobery 31, 2012, and received no later than November 10, 2012. We are not responsible for postal delays, and recommend you not choose to send Media Mail unless you are submitting several weeks in advance.

10. For further information, write BPP, Attn: Literary Manager, 107 W. 9th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404. For faster replies, please e-mail us at literarymanager@newplays.org