Breaking into the dying medium of stage

[Lucifer_Carroll]

I know I asked this question in amicus's Field of Dreams thread, but...well, I know there are a lot authors who avoid anything amicus posts for fear of being regaled with Randist politics.

So, anyway, I've been trying for the last 2 and a half years to break into the medium of playwrighting. I have written 3 plays, one is a long full length, the other is normal lengthed, and the last is probably a one-act. I have also written one five-minute play that i have not yet tried to send out to any playwrighting contests.

All these works I have tried to send out to various playwrighting contests whenever I can find one (not often, playwrighting contests don't seem to actually advertise their presence and tracking them down on the internet can be frustrating from the lack of real information on the contests). These contests have an abnormally long reviewing time, often taking half a year to reveal that they had decided on the winners months in advance.

Anyway, what I want to know is if anyone knows of a good list of contests that I can use to figure out who to send my work to, or better ways of getting my play work out in the community. Please, explain how and where you do the techniques you vouch and links are extremely appreciated.

I'm sorry to interrupt the usual sexual forays and political pissing contests, but I need some help.

 

[Guest]

I have also written one five-minute play that i have not yet tried to send out to any playwrighting contests.

$0.1 (excluding tax).

 

[minsue]

My first suggestion would be to ask Liar for some tips. IIRC, he's had some shows produced.

I would also suggest directly approaching some troupes in your area. I know there are a number of smaller acting companies where I live that often stage productions by relatively unknown playwrights, presumablely because they can afford them, and put on some wonderful shows. I don't know if the same is true elsewhere, but I would guess it probably is.

 

[CharleyH]

You might also want to check out fringe theatres in your area. Often, at least here, they get funding to produce plays by 'new' and/or 'unknown' authors, and sometimes have contests posted on their websites. Set up a meeting with the theatre director if you can, and spend some time talking to one about what it takes. If nothing else, you will get some good direction, perhaps leading to a better path than contests would take you.

Edit: didn't see the gosling sneak in yes, Liar, too.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Like Charley says, try local theatres. Sometimes they will do a script reading for you.
A local group here is doing a series for local playwrites to show their wares, I'm considering sumbitting one of mine.
Who knows, they may want to produce it and you get to see it come to life.
Best of Luck

 

[Liar]

My first suggestion would be to ask Liar for some tips. IIRC, he's had some shows produced.

Afraid I can't really give you much insight there. My sold and produced plays have all entered the market via the same venue, a small private ensemble which I happen to know personally. I'm wasn't familiar with the term "fringe theatre", but I guess that's them.

They have taken on three scripts that I never intended to release outside of the amateur ensemble that I'm a member of. And from there some minor momentum was gained, since other producers were in their audience. So far I have sold the most successful of those plays to two other small professional venues, and three amateur clubs.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Damn, local theatre hunting...sigh, it probably is the way to go, but I'm so ignorant to how i'd do it. Should I call them and say, "you don't know me, but I write plays, want to look at some of them?" I know a few people in the theatre major but whenever I ask them for some help in talking to their director, they prove to be lazy fuckin' bums who never get around to it. I have a meeting with some of the bigwig playwright profs at my school this winter, but I was hoping someone had some advice I could hop on a little earlier.

Sigh, I guess I'll break out the suit and go door-to-door play-selling down by the local theatres (if by suit, you mean a feathered cap and cane (might as well be honest about my intentions)). Any advice then on finding local troupes (they aren't really listed down as far as I can tell)?

 

[CharleyH]

Afraid I can't really give you much insight there. My sold and produced plays have all entered the market via the same venue, a small private ensemble which I happen to know personally. I'm wasn't familiar with the term "fringe theatre", but I guess that's them.

Well, fringe as in alternative/experimental theatres, I use it loosely to mean smaller independent. There are many small theatres here, which would not be considered 'fringe'.

It's also been my experience that University drama/theatre profs. have many connections. Try talking to some you know, as Liar points out, who you know is often a first step.

Looking for festivals might also be an option. I know in film at least, independant festivals often accept submissions internationally. Of course those are already produced, but it beats me about theatre.

 

[CharleyH]

Sigh, I guess I'll break out the suit and go door-to-door play-selling down by the local theatres (if by suit, you mean a feathered cap and cane (might as well be honest about my intentions)). Any advice then on finding local troupes (they aren't really listed down as far as I can tell)?

As a writer, you might offer 2-3 hours volunteer/week with their publicity department for one option. A good way to get in, meet and then talk.

I would just call up or walk into the theatre, (find out as much as you can) say that you are a playwrite (sp) and that you are aware this theatre produces such and such plays. You write plays (which would fit their mandate) and you are interested in talking to someone about getting one of your plays produced. I would go in with a list of questions you have just in case.

As for research, I don't know about anyone else, but in Ontario there is a website for Theatre Ontario which lists all theatres in this province. I would do a search for (insert your place) theatres, theatre orgs, associations etc. Also community centres and librarians are wonderful resources.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I don't know where you live, but here in Chicago there seems to be a theater group on just about every block. Local theater is really going great guns here. They're always looking for people to help out, and even if it's just grunt work or doing publicity, it still gets you in the door and closer to what you want to be doing.

You might also think about community colleges in your area, not only for their theater departments, but to see if they have courses in playwrighting. Some times their drama departments will take on student plays.

I also wouldn't have any qualms about calling up some theater groups and asking them if they're interested in original work. If nothing else, they might be able to tell you about open competitions and readings.

Then there are guys who go around giving screen-writing seminars. Most of them are ex- or practicing screenwriters. The seminars aren't cheap, but again, it's about making connections.

---dr.M.

 

[oggbashan]

One thing to sell your work - economy.

If the whole can be performed with three or four people it is more commercial than a play with a dozen characters.

I gave four boxes of published plays free to a local theatre company. Most of them they couldn't use because they were written for too many parts. The largest they attempt has 12 characters and they can't do that often. As for Shakespeare - watch the salary bill!

Og