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Call For Scripts: 2017 Musical/Play Writing Competition For Young Audiences

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Call For Scripts: 2017 Musical/Play Writing Competition For Young Audiences
The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission Department of Parks and Recreation, Arts & Cultural Heritage Division Call for Scripts

2017 Musical/Play Writing Competition for Young Audiences

The M-NCPPC is seeking original scripts, in English, either musicals or non-musicals that can be developed with M-NCPCC into musicals. Playwrights submitting nonmusical plays should, if at all possible, incorporate lyrics to make this development process easier. The script will be used for an annual children’s theatre production that tours Prince George’s County as part of M-NCPPC programs. The play will be performed by actors from 16 to 20 years old, and the intended audience is children 6 to 12 years old. Submitted plays should have a run time of 45 minutes to 1 hr. Deadline for submissions is January 20, 2017 at 5 p.m.

Awards of $1,500.00 will be presented to finalists, whose plays shall be developed during the Spring of 2017 and produced by M-NCPPC during the Summer of 2017. Up to two First Prize Awardees may be chosen, though M-NCPPC reserves the right to not choose a winner, or to award the monetary prize but not produce the play. A play submitted with full musical score including recorded soundtrack suitable for performance use shall be eligible for an additional award of $1,500 for Musical Composition. Full guidelines for the competition are below. Scripts should be submitted to Christel Stevens, Performing Arts Specialist, at christel.stevens@pgparks.com.

Competition Guidelines
1.Plays must be new, original works or adaptations or dramatizations of fairytales, myths or other works. If adapted material is submitted, written proof must also be submitted indicating that the material used for the script is in the public domain. If the source material is not in the public domain, then the owner of the copyright must grant written permission for any adaptation submitted. Obtaining this documentation is the responsibility of the playwright.
2. Only one submission per playwright or collaborating team will be permitted.
3. A collaborating team, who will share the First Prize Awards, may write the book, lyrics and musical score. In the case of a play submitted as book and lyrics only, a composer will be selected by The M-NCPPC to score the music and produce the recorded soundtrack.
4. Submissions must be sent no later than January 20, 2017.
5. Plays must be intended for young audiences ages 6 years through 12 years of age.
6. Plays must have a run time of 45 minutes to 1 hr.
7. More than one story may be told during the time limit of 45 to 60 minutes.
8. Plays should require no more than eight (8) actors, though doubling of roles is permitted.
9. Scenic requirements should be kept to a minimum. Due to the traveling nature of the troupe, actors have only 30 minutes prior to each performance for set-up.
10. Plays should not be dependent upon theatrical lighting instruments.
11. Plays may call for a pre-recorded musical sound track and other sound cues, but cannot require a live orchestra or band for production. Electronically synthesized music or pre-recorded piano accompaniment is acceptable. The use of rhythm instruments played by the actors is also acceptable.
12. While music in the public domain may be used or adapted, commercially available recordings are copyrighted and would not be acceptable for this program. If any music not composed and owned by one of the submitting authors is not in the public domain, then the owner of the copyright must grant written permission for any adaptation submitted. Obtaining this documentation is the responsibility of the playwright or composer.
13. Scripts under contract for professional production or which have previously received a professional production are not eligible for this competition. M-NCPPC defines a “professional” production as any production in which tickets were sold. Scripts previously produced in an educational setting would still be eligible.
14. The final production may be videotaped for telecast by M-NCPPC and will be performed only at M-NCPPC venues in Prince George’s County, MD. While the authors of the selected material shall receive due recognition for their work in all official printed materials, no additional remuneration, will be due or payable to the authors, playwrights, composers or lyricists involved.
15. For additional information contact christel.stevens@pgparks.com, telephone 301-446-3238.
16. If none of the submissions meet its content standards, the M-NCPPC reserves the right not to make any selections or awards.
17. To submit a play, you may attach a script by email to christel.stevens@pgparks.com. Scripts are due no later than 5 p.m. on January 20, 2017.