2021 playwrighting contest

HARRIMAN, TENN. - Three Rivers Theatre Company, a non-profit community theatre, based in East Tennessee, has launched a somewhat different kind of playwrighting contest. It is one in which they are looking for faith-based or family-friendly plays.

According to managing producer Donnie Hall, "We are searching for original faith-based or family-friendly plays to be submitted for consideration in our contest. The top three entries will be perfomred as staged readings in front of live audiences and the overall winner will be considered for a fully-produced production in our 2022 sesaon.

The company's President and Managaing Artistic Director, Martha Wilkinson, says, "I think it is extremely important to support an nurture furture playwrights, particularly those who are interested in faith-based and family-friendly stories that promote caring, sensitivity and empathy."

All entries should be original, unpublished and previously unproduced material, with only one submission per playwright being accepted.

Submissions should be received by mail no later than August 31, 2021, with the winners being selected on or before October 15, 2021.

The complete submission guideline is listed below.

To give would-be playwrights a launching point, Wilkinson offers a hint of inspiration in a quote:

"I feel family goes beyond bloodlines, last names or obligations. To me, the word 'family' includes all people in our lives who commit to love and support us unconditionally. It is not a passive birthright but a choice, a discipline of kindness that helps us thrive both as individuals and as a society."

- Fernando Barcelona, President and Creative Director of Barcelona and Friends.

Three Rivers Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) non-profit company that strives to promote appreciation and enjoyment of the arts and theatre through the prodution of high-quality plays and musicals, utilizing local talent in all aspects of their productions. Additionally, they offer arts and theatre-related educational opportunities for all ages.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

1. Each playwright may only submit one (1) play for consideration.
2. All entries should be original, unpublished and previously unproduced material.
   
3. We are ONLY asking for faith-based and/or family-friendly dramas or comedies to be submitted.
   
4. Submissions should be properly formatted, full-length plays with an approximate running time of no more than two (2) hours.
   
5. Musicals will not be considered at this time.
   
6. A unit set is preferred (the entire play takes place in one location with minimal set changes).
   
7. Please limit the number of characters to eight (8) or less.
   
8. Number all pages of the script.
   
9. Scripts should be securely bound or stapled in the upper, left-hand corner.
   
10. Two (2) copies of the script must be submitted by U. S. mail ONLY (no digital entries will be considered.)
    
11. All entries must be postmarked by August 31, 2021.
    
12. Winners will be notified on or before October 15, 2021.
    
13. Be sure to include your contact information on the title page of the script (including name, telephone number, email and mailing addresses).
    
14. On the first page following the title page, please provide a one paragraph synopsis of the play followed by a list of all characters, with a brief character description.
    
15. Scripts will not be returned.
    
16. Submissions will be narrowed down to no more than ten (10) entries by the Three Rivers Theatre Company staff, with the final winners being selected by a committee of judges consisting of theatre and other professionals who possess a strong passion for playwrighting and original works. (A complete list of judges will be posted on or before July 1, 2021.)
    
17. There is no entry fee.