How to apply
You should email or send a hard copy of your typed play and completed application by March 1, 2012. Double check that you have fully completed and signed the application form before sending it in with your play (this includes the play synopsis). Please make sure that each page of the play is numbered and also contains the name of the play. Your name and age should ONLY be listed on the title page of your play. Do not include your name on any other page of the play. Your play should have a title page and list of characters.
Students in grades 6 and up will automatically also be entered in the Marilyn Bianchi Kids Playwriting Festival (see MBKPF details below).
Send a typed copy of your play with the application form (click here to view and print the Dobama Young Playwrights Form) to:
Dobama Theatre
c/o Dobama Young Playwrights
2340 Lee Rd.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
or email us at: youngplaywrights@dobama.org
About your play
Plays should be at least 10 minutes in length and no longer than 30 minutes. Your play must be original, and you must write it on your own. Don’t adapt other books or plays, or use a plot you saw in a movie or on television. The play may be of any genre; comedy, drama, mystery, fantasy.Advisors (i.e.-teachers, parents) can offer advice like “This play doesn’t have an ending” or “I don’t understand what’s happening here” but they should not help with the story line, characters, or dialogue.
Selection process
Finalists will be selected and contacted via phone for an interview. After those phone interviews, winners are chosen and those playwrights will meet (or via phone/ skype if necessary for winners in college) with professional playwrights from Dobama’s Playwrights GYM to talk about their play and re-work their pieces. There will be at least one winner from each of three grade categories; 6-9, 10-12, and college. There is no set number of total winners, but enough plays will be selected for a 70-120 minute performance. Once a working draft of each play is completed, production will begin for DYPC performances featuring professional designers, actors, and directors.
Awards
Winners receive a $250 prize, get their play professionally produced at Dobama Theatre, work with professional playwrights to revise their play, get their work publicized in the Cleveland area, receive photos from production, and receive a bound copy of their play.
Questions?
Email us at: youngplaywrights@dobama.org
