ETC…Opens 2015 New Plays Contest

NAPLES, Fla. - April 2, 2015 - PRLog -- NAPLES, FL-The Naples Players’ ETC…Readers’ Theatre is now accepting original one-act scripts for its 12th annual “An Evening of New Plays” contest for Southwest Florida playwrights.  Deadline for submission is June 30.  Administrator Joan Laughlin noted, “past finalists have enjoyed sold out audiences in the 96- seat Tobye Studio of Sugden Community Theatre.”

Plays may be funny, sad, scary, smart, about character, ideas may surprise, be in any genre.  Strength of characterization, dialog and plot are among judging criteria.

As many as four Finalists each will receive a $100 performance royalty, memorial trophy, event poster and two complimentary tickets.  The plays and playwrights will be publicized in Naples Players web pages, social, community and national theatre media, event calendars, programs, TNP playbills and e-mail “blasts” to selective lists.

    The winning plays will be presented, as staged readings, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19.  A champagne reception for all will follow the plays and ceremony December 18.

    Submitting playwrights must reside in Collier, Lee, Glades or Hendry counties of Florida.  Entries must be non-musical, no longer than 30 minutes and cast must not exceed seven characters maximum.

    Playwrights must submit two copies of their scripts in standard play format to “An Evening of New Plays 2015” The Naples Players, 701 5th Ave., S, Naples 34102.  Writers each may submit only one play.

    One title page with the name of the play, synopsis and list of characters must be attached to each script.  A separate page, giving the name of the play, the name of the playwright and all contact data should accompany the scripts but not be attached to them.  This is to help assure anonymity during the judging process.  For the scripts to be returned, a self-addressed stamped envelope should be included.

Each play must be the writer’s own original work, not an adaptation, and not commercially published or produced, though it may have been work-shopped or presented in staged readings in other locations than Southwest Florida.  A submitted play also may have been entered in an earlier “Evening of New Plays.” Contest one time so long as it was not an earlier Finalist.

   The judging panel may recommend up to four Finalists to the ETC…Committee for review and final approval by The Naples Players Artistic Director, Dallas Dunnagan.  Authors retain all rights and give performance rights to The Naples Players for “An Evening of New Plays” and limited readings in other venues, including possible outreach and electronic media.  Authors will be notified by the end of September 2015.

    All tickets, priced at $10, go on sale at the Sugden Box Office in downtown Naples starting 30 days before each performance.  Phone 239-263-7990.