High School PlayWrights Cabaret

CALL FOR SCRIPTS

The Grand Theatre’s

High School PlayWrights Cabaret 2012

Deadline – November 11, 2011

This year we’re looking for budding writers, Grades 9 through 12 from high schools around London and the surrounding area for The Grand Theatre, High School PlayWrights Cabaret. Since 1997, The Grand Theatre’s High School Project has brought theatre professionals and teens together to support and mentor the teens in their exploration of theatre arts. Since 2002, The Grand Theatre has invited writers from London and the surrounding area to submit short works to be presented as staged readings in the McManus Studio Theatre. Last year we launched a new initiative inviting high school writers to submit their scripts for the High School PlayWrights Cabaret.

The High School PlayWrights Cabaret offers an exceptional opportunity to receive mentoring and training in the working environment of a professional theatre.

We invite high school playwrights to submit 10 minute scripts, with 2 - 4 characters. We will be choosing between 6- 9 scripts for script development and for staged readings in the McManus Studio at The Grand.

There will be an emphasis on the process of re-writing and script development. Playwrights whose scripts are accepted will take part in a few workshops, after which they will submit a revised version of their script. This could be an exploration of character, story, theme, style, or anything else that comes out of the workshop. In consultation with dramaturge and director, Heather Davies, the playwright will decide upon the next step for the script.

The deadline for submissions is November 11, 2011.

Commitments from the High School Playwrights

To participate in the 2011 High School PlayWrights Cabaret, each playwright must agree to:

1)      attend the public presentation of his or her work at the Cabaret on January 22, 2012,

2)      attend a workshop of his or her script (specific times to be arranged by mutual consent),

3)      write a second draft of his or her script.

Script Details

• Running time limits (10 minutes, with 2-4 characters).
• We will have four actors – two male and two female – so scripts should be written with that in mind.
• Scripts will be given blind readings, so we ask that each submission have the writer’s name on the cover page only.
• Submissions should include full contact information, including phone number and email address, school and grade.
• Each page of the script should include the title and page number.

Process Details

• Playwrights whose scripts are selected will receive a ticket to see the presentation.
• Each Workshop will be 3 - 4 hours for three to four 10-minute scripts 

Key Dates for the 2012 PlayWrights Cabaret

• September, 2011 – Call for Scripts
• Friday, November 11, 2011 – Submission deadline
• Friday December 2, 2011 – Selection of Scripts
• December, 2011 – Dramaturgical workshops
• Friday, January 06, 2012 – Deadline for production versions of the scripts
• Saturday, January 21, 2012 – Rehearsal in the McManus Studio Theatre
• Sunday, January 22, 2012 – Public presentation in the McManus Studio Theatre

The Grand Theatre is committed to developing and encouraging local writers, and we welcome all submissions.

Please direct inquiries to Sarah Hunter by phone at 519-672-9030 x280, or by email at shunter@grandtheatre.com.

Scripts can be submitted by email to: shunter@grandtheatre.com, or a hard copy can be delivered or mailed to:

High School Playwrights’ Cabaret
Attention: Sarah Hunter
The Grand Theatre
471 Richmond Street
London Ontario N6A 3E4