ETC…Opens 2016 New Plays Contest

NAPLES, Fla. - Feb. 16, 2016 - PRLog -- NAPLES, FL-- The Naples Players’ ETC…Readers’ Theatre is now accepting original one-act scripts for its 13th Annual “An Evening of New Plays” contest for Southwest Florida playwrights. Deadline for submission is June 30. Administrator Joan Laughlin noted that “past finalists all have enjoyed sold-out audiences in the Tobye Studio of the Sugden Community Theatre.”

   Plays may be funny, sad, scary, smart or surprising, can explore ideas, and can be in any genre. Strength of characterization, dialog and plot are among the judging criteria.

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

   The winning plays will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3. A rewards ceremony and champagne reception for all in attendance will follow the plays on December 2.

   Submitting playwrights must reside in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Glades or Hendry counties of Florida. Entries must be non-musical, and we suggest that the cast not exceed seven characters.

   Playwrights must submit two copies of their scripts in standard play format to “An Evening of New Plays 2016,” The Naples Players, 701 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL 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. Once the play is submitted, no script changes can be made for purposes of this competition.

   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. 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 TNP 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. Winners will be notified by September 30, 2016.

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