Dear Friend in the Theatre,
Whether you've thought about doing a short play in New York but have never tried, or if you're a regular at such events around town, please give a thought to producing a show in MITF:Fall's Short Play Lab. Not only do you rub shoulders with your fellow short-play playwrights, but you get to showcase your work to people you don't know yet. The rules for submitting to the Short Play Lab are easy-peasy:
- Deadline is October 15. We would love to see Halloween-themed plays, but all plays that fit the criteria listed below will be considered. Notification will be soon after submission, depending on number of submissions. The sooner you get your script in, the more time you have to prepare. Get that script in pronto!
- Plays should be 1 - 10 pp. in standard playscript format.* (The shorter the better; shorter plays get priority.) Include a title page, as the first page of the script, with your contact info (only means of contact is by email).
- Submit scripts in a MS Word document or PDF file.
- You produce the play whether or not you live in New York. The SPL provides the theatre. This Lab will take place at The WorkShop Theater's Jewel Box Theater, 312 W.36th Street, NYC.
- Productions must be non-union: no showcases please! (And no Equity waivers, either.)
- Keep production values to a minimum: costumes and hand props are okay. We provide rehearsal cubes, chairs, and a table. You can't leave your stuff in the theatre overnight.
- Scripts requiring the use of guns are not accepted.
- Lit cigarettes and herbal cigarettes are not permitted. E-cigarettes are fine.
- We provide a board op, box office, and venue management.
- There are no fees. The SPL keeps the door.
- Tickets are $20. Each playwright and director gets to watch his/her show for free. There are no other comps.
- There will be a tech rehearsal in the daytime on Saturday, Oct 29. The production dates are Saturday, October 29 - Sunday, October 30.
- Every play gets 2 performances, 1 on Sat. and 1 on Sun. Each play will be part of 1 of 2 programs: Program A or Program B, but not both. Program A takes place at 7 pm Sat. and 4 pm Sun. Program B takes place at 9 pm Sat. and 2 pm Sun.
- We don't do staged readings. Be off-book, please! Plays not off-book during tech will be removed from the line-up.
- THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTION IN EACH PROGRAM RECEIVES A CASH PRIZE OF $75. Winners are determined by polling patrons after the performance. Playwrights, directors, and cast cannot vote for their own play. We reserve the right to break ties.
The SPL is a lot of fun and a good way to see your work on its feet in a supportive environment. It's also a great way to see actors and directors at work, so you can recruit people for later productions.
To submit a script, send it as an attachment, in a Word document or PDF file, to john.chatterton@gmail.com. Any questions, don't hesitate to shoot me an E-mail!
Thanks,
John Chatterton
Executive producer, Short Play Lab