KUMU KAHUA THEATRE/UHM THEATRE AND DANCE DEPARTMENT PLAYWRITING CONTEST

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Deadline: January 3, 2023


DEADLINE: ENTRIES MUST HAVE BEEN POSTMARKED OR RECEIVED ELECTRONICALLY NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2023

Kumu Kahua Theatre is a non-profit theatre company that has presented original productions of special relevance to the people of Hawai‘i since 1971.

Each year Kumu Kahua Theatre co-sponsors a playwriting contest with the UHM Theatre Department in its effort to bring new and exciting drama to the stage. Although Kumu Kahua Theatre has a strong commitment to producing the works of local playwrights in recent years they have produced several plays pertaining to Hawai‘i that have been written by non-Hawai‘i residents. Kumu Kahua Theatre recognizes that many playwrights who have moved to the mainland, for example, may have valuable insights to offer about their local experiences.

The playwriting contest is offered in three separate categories. One prize will be offered in each category. All plays must be original and not involve adaptation form any copyrighted source. They should not have received previous production in their current form. Any number of scripts may be submitted by an individual, but a different pen name must accompany each play. Plays previously submitted to the contest are not eligible. Members of the board of Kumu Kahua Theatre will read all entries in the competition and consider each for workshops, which may lead to a production. Kumu Kahua Theatre is especially interested in plays pertinent to Hawai‘i.

For the Hawai‘i Prize ($600), which is open to residents and non-residents of Hawai‘i, the play must be set in Hawai‘i or deal with some aspect of the Hawai‘i experience. Some examples of appropriate topics might be: pre-colonial life in the islands; relation between indigenous and colonizer; the coming of whalers; missionaries and merchants; the history of ethnic immigration and adaptation to Hawai‘i; the development of enter-ethnic relationships; labor history; the territorial era; militarization; the move toward statehood; tourism and development; contemporary immigration and diaspora; women’s rights; the experiences of Hawai‘i’s people outside of Hawai‘i. Restricted to full-length plays (minimum 50 pages of standard form).

For the Pacific/Rim Prize ($450), which is open to residents and non-residents of Hawai‘i, the play must be set in or deal with the Pacific Islands, the Pacific Rim, or the Pacific/Asian American experience. Restricted to full-length plays (minimum 50 pages of standard form).

For the Resident Prize ($250), which is open to the residents of Hawai‘i at the time of submission, the plays may be on any topic, and of any length.

To submit a play:

1) You may email your script to kumukahuatheatre@gmail.com or mail three copies. Plays should be formatted/typed on ordinary bond paper, double-spaced, and on one side of the paper only.

2) Prepare a front page for the manuscript which bears the play title, pen name, and the division in which the play is being entered. Do not place your name anywhere on the script.

3) In an ordinary envelope place a piece of paper with the following information clearly printed or typed (if you are emailing your script, this should be in the body of your email):

a) play title and pen name

b) playwright's real name

c) social security number

d) address and phone number

e) competition division

4) If you are sending via US Mail, seal the envelope and print or type the play title on the outside.

5) Place the playscript and the sealed envelope in a large envelope (or otherwise wrap them together) and mail to:

Kumu Kahua Playwriting Contest
Kumu Kahua Theatre
46 Merchant Street
Honolulu HI 96813

6) If you are emailing your script, put "2022 Playwriting Contest" in the subject line.

Submitted playscripts become part of Kumu Kahua Theatre/UHM Theatre Department Competition Plays, a collection of manuscripts housed and bound in the Hawaiian and Pacific collection of Hamilton Library at the University of Hawai‘i. Kumu Kahua Theatre reserves first production rights for two years to all contest winners. All other rights are retained by the playwright. Three judges, whose decisions will be final, will be selected by Kumu Kahua Theatre to evaluate the plays. If, in the opinion of the judges, the plays submitted do not show sufficient merit, one or more prizes may be withheld. Results of the contest will be announced to the press.

All contestants will be notified. Stay tuned for recent contest winners!

Any more questions? Contact us.