Attention Political playwrights: Call For Entries

Mario Fratti-Fred Newman Political Play Contest 2012

The Castillo Theatre is seeking new scripts for the stage that engage the political/social/cultural questions affecting the world today for its fourth annual Mario Fratti-Fred Newman Political Play Contest. The purpose of the Political Play Contest is to encourage the writing of such plays, and to provide a stage for scripts that might not otherwise find one.
 

While Castillo recognizes that in the broadest sense, “all theatre is political,” the contest is seeking politically progressive plays that: look at social and/or economic problems and challenges; explore possibilities of social transformation; and reflect the concerns and interests of communities and which explore the importance of community. Castillo also encourages scripts that experiment with form and seek new ways of seeing and new ways of experiencing theatrical performance. 

The plays submitted to the Fratti-Newman Contest may be written in any style, set in any historical time, geographic or imaginary location, contain any number of characters and be of any length. The plays must be in English and cannot be musicals or adaptations. No scripts will be considered that have previously been produced or won other contests. Only one script per playwright will be accepted, nor will resubmitted plays be considered.

 The contest is judged by a team from Castillo and other distinguished theatre artists. The winning script(s) will receive a reading and/or a full production at the Castillo Theatre in New York City during the theatre’s 2012 summer season.

 All scripts should be submitted in hard copy and must be accompanied by:

• Statement of the political/social/cultural questions that the playwright is engaging with the script;

• A brief synopsis;

• Character breakdown, including specific gender, age and ethnic requirements, if any;

• Set requirements, including how many sets and any special effects needed;

• 100-word biography of the playwright;

• a current email contact in order for us to acknowledge receipt of the script and be able to contact you during the selection process

 Please note:

• Scripts will not be returned. 
• Castillo will not give critical feedback to contestants. 
• Contest winners are required to sign a letter of agreement, which will include but not be limited to granting the right for Castillo to produce one or more  readings and/or a full production of the winning play. 
• Contest winners are responsible for travel expenses or any other expenses incurred as a result of participating in the development of the play with Castillo, or as a result of attending the reading and/or full production.

 All scripts must be postmarked by October 1, 2011. The winner(s) will be publicly announced at the Otto René Castillo Awards for Political Theatre in New York City in May of 2012.

 Send all submissions to:

Castillo Theatre

543 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

Attn: Fratti-Newman Political Play Contest

Questions and inquiries should be addressed to Madelyn Chapman at 212-356-8485 or