So Stage Left Theatre, where I'm in the ensemble, decides each year to take a break from all of the good plays we do on a regular basis and produce some total crap. But since we're nice people, we produce plays that are intentionally bad. Thus: DrekFest, the national competition for the most intentionally awful 10-minute play.
But we need playwrights to do it! And you, yes you, could be our winner. Here's a full description of the festival and the entry requirements. (By the way, if you do write something, don't tell me anything about it--I'm probably going to be on the selection committee.) Happy writing!
Don't miss your chance to be part of Stage Left Theatre's annual laugh riot!
Presented in association with
The ComedySportz Theatre.
Stage Left's Forth Annual National Contest for the WORST Ten-Minute Play. This year, it’s not just a one-night engagement, it’s a
WORSTAMENT!!!!
That’s right, there’s just so much crap out there that we’ve decided to make it a bigger competition.
There will be 2 rounds of Semi-Finals one on 8/2 and one on 8/9.
Four plays will be read each night and the worst 2 from each night will go on to the Finals on 8/16!!!
The submission deadline for
DrekFest: Worstament 2010
entries is
Friday, June 25th, 2010.
All entries must be RECEIVED (not postmarked) by the entry deadline.
For clarity's sake, we are not out to make fun of writers or those who love them! What we are doing is asking good writers to intentionally write awful plays that make us laugh on the inside (especially if that's noted in the stage directions) - and out loud.
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Submission Guidelines
If it's not already painfully clear, we want the funny! Preference will be given to scripts that make us laugh. Here are the submission guidelines:
DEADLINE: Submissions must be received by Friday, June 25th, 2010 (note, this is not postmark date, it is a "received by" date).
Plays must perform at ten minutes or less (remember that stage directions will be read aloud). Maximum of 5 actors per script (however, write as many characters as you please). There are no limitations on genre or subject matter.
Even though we're spoofing the development process, plays do NOT need to about play development. And...even though Stage Left's mission is about political and social debate, we know that bad writing knows no genre, so don't worry about adhering to the mission for this contest.
We will be using a Blind Submission process. Please include the following materials with your submission:
--A cover letter on a separate sheet of paper, included in the envelope with your play (or as a separate attachment, if emailing). Envelopes and emails will not be opened by judges, only by non-judge staff members. List your contact info, including name, phone, email & street address on your cover letter.
Cover letter should include your availability to be in Chicago on August 2, 9, and 16, 2010. Given this year's economy and the state of arts funding, Stage Left cannot provide travel support. You do not need to be able to travel to Chicago in order to send a submission to DrekFest; however, most of the fun is in being there!
--Your resume.
--Your play(s). Do NOT include your name, by-line or contact info on the play itself. If mailed, plays must be clipped or bound in such a way that the pages can be easily separated for copying - no spiral bindings.
--Your submission fee of $10.00 per play (e.g., $20.00 if you submit two plays). All submission fees will go towards the cash prizes awarded to the winners - we won't make a dime off your dimes.If mailing, include a check made out to "Stage Left Theatre." If emailing, call us at 773-883-8830 by Friday, June 25th to charge your fee to a Visa or MasterCard.
A Note About Cash Prizes:
One hundred percent of the submission fees received are paid out as cash prizes. Therefore, the amount of the prizes will depend on the number of submissions we get. All 8 of the plays chosen will receive something, the 4 finalists will receive a bit more and the winner will receive the BIG check. In past years, the Grand Prize has ranged from $300.00 to $400.00, and may be less or more as submissions warrant.
Please mail your submissions to:
Stage Left Theatre
Attn: DrekFest
3408 N. Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
-- OR --
Email your submissions to:
drekfest@stagelefttheatre.com
3 comments:
Everyone's excited about DrekFest! Leonard Jacobs even linked it on his blog, the prestigious and widely read Clyde Fitch Report! http://www.clydefitchreport.com/2010/05/can-you-write-the-worst-play-in-america-welcome-to-drekfest/
We have to pay to submit? Really?
Pengo--yes, there is a small fee. As the information says, all of the fees go directly to the prizes. The company doesn't have money for prizes (or much of anything else), so this is the best way to offer them. Regular submissions for development and our season have no fee whatsoever, just this specific event.
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