We never post opportunities that require a submission fee. LEARN MORE.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Whoop 'n' Wail Represents (Bechdel Test)

web site

Playwrights open submission brief – Whoop ‘n’ Wail Represents..Desire

What is Represents…?

With brand new plays from both male and female writers, Represents… is a showcase with a difference.

Whoop ‘n’ Wail have committed to achieving gender equality on the UK stage by creating a night of entertaining, engaging theatre with all plays having significant roles for women.

Consisting of six fifteen-minute shorts, each piece of writing must pass the Bechdel Test - they must include at least two named female characters who, at some stage, talk to each other about something other than a man. Inspired by Alison Bechdel’s 1987 comic strip, The Rules, the Bechdel Test has become the benchmark for gauging fair representation on stage and screen.

The sold-out launch of Represents… in Nov 2014 featured work by both established and emerging playwrights and directors invited by the curators to kick off the inaugural event. For future nights, each will have an overarching theme, with pieces selected via an open submission process. Each submission will be read, six pieces selected, and successful writers paired with a director.

What we are looking for:

A 10 minute piece of new and original writing using the theme Desire as a stimulus.
Stage plays – either complete short plays or a self-contained extract from a larger work.
Plays written by individuals or writing teams.

Plays that pass the Bechdel Test:
There is no limit to the number of characters your play can have, however at least two must be female. We will accept gender-neutral characters, provided a female-female interaction can be achieved through casting.

The qualifying female characters must have names (not ‘wife’, ‘mum’, ‘woman’, etc.)
Two female characters must interact with each other directly about a subject other than men. This interaction should be significant and have a bearing on the plot.

NB: Plays do not need to be all-female to achieve this. It is entirely possible to pass the test and have male characters in the play and we welcome submissions that achieve this.

What we do not accept:
Scripts that do not pass the Bechdel Test.

Plays that do not pass the test will not be read, and Whoop ‘n’ Wailwill not accept further submissions from the writer.
Scripts that have been previously produced

We will accept scripts that have had rehearsed readings, but not ones that have been staged. Represents… is a new writing night, so we want to showcase your original work.
Scripts that do not relate to the theme

Please do not send old work hoping it will fit the bill: we are looking for new plays written in response to the set theme or existing (unperformed) work that clearly relates to it.
Adaptations of another writer’s idea

We want to see your original work. The only exception to this if you have adapted your own work from another medium.
Multiple submissions at one time

We can only accept one script from each writer/writing team in a given submission window.


How to submit:
Submit scripts in Word Format only via email tosubmissions@whoopnwail.com by the deadline, 17:00 on Friday 2nd January 2015. Submissions sent after the deadline will not be read or considered.

Attach a character breakdown, including each character’s gender, and a three-line synopsis.

What we provide:

  • The performance space
  • A director
  • Your cast
  • The marketing for the showcase
  • Basic lighting
  • Basic set
  • Basic props


Important Information:
Successful writers will be paired with a director, and that director will have sole responsibility for casting the piece and arranging rehearsals. Writers may be invited to rehearsals, however this will be at the director’s discretion.

Directors may make minor changes to dialogue, such as word substitutions or line order.

Suggested cuts or changes that fundamentally change the plot or structure of the piece will be discussed with the writer.
Writers will be entitled to a complimentary ticket for each performance for their own use only. These tickets cannot be transferred.

Due to venue restrictions, complimentary tickets for press and industry professionals are only available to the producers. No other complimentary tickets will be available to cast or creatives, however requests to allocate tickets can be submitted to the producers for use by legitimate industry professionals such as casting directors.Whoop ‘n’ Wail will consider all requests, however this does not guarantee approval. The producers’ decision is final.

No naked flames, smoking or fire will be permitted in the venue (this includes candles).
The final deadline for script submissions is 17:00 on Friday 2nd January 2015. Submissions sent after the deadline will not be read or considered.

Successful writers will be notified by 17:00 on the 10th January 2015. Regretfully, due to time constraints, Whoop ‘n’ Wail are only able to respond to successful applicants and are unable to provide any feedback on unsuccessful submissions. Whoop ‘n’ Wail will not respond to requests for such.

PLEASE NOTE

This is not a paid commission – everyone involved in the project (including the producers) contribute their time and talent for free.Whoop ‘n’ Wail will be applying for funding so this may change as the project develops and we will update you if there are any changes. All accounts for Represents… will be available to any member of the company at any time by request.

Blog Archive