Congleton Players - Amateur Theatre Club

One Act Play Competition 2012

The aims of the Congleton Players are to arouse and stimulate interest in plays and the theatre, to give a voice to hitherto unknown writers and to hold a series of one-act play competitions to keep the spirit of live theatre alive.

Completed entries should be sent to:

Congleton Players
8 Wharfe Close
Congleton
Cheshire
CW12 3RW

or E-mail: midnite.rambler@virgin.net

Guidelines for the Congleton Players One Act Play Writing Competition 2012

1 The closing date for entries is December 31st 2011

2 Four or five plays will be chosen as finalists to be performed at the One Act Play Festival in July 2012. At this festival the audience will vote for the play of their choice. The winner will receive a cheque for £150.

3 Typed or printed entries are requested. The play may be sent by post or by e-mail. If sending by e-mail to the e-mail address below, please ensure the play is sent as an attachment using Microsoft Word.

4 Each play should have a running time of 15-25 minutes (3500 – 4000 words should be a rough guide)

5 Ideally, plays should have between 2 and 6 characters but this is a guideline only. Other cast sizes will be considered including monologues. Please think about the practicalities of staging the play you are writing.

6 A brief description of the layout of the stage, props, lighting etc as well as the characters in the play should be included at the front of the script.

7 The play should be set out with name of the character who is about to speak in capitals or bold type on the left of the page in an undrawn margin. Look at any printed play for guidance if you are unsure.

8 All stage directions should be in brackets. Please remember that your play will be directed by an experienced director who will inevitably want to have freedom to interpret the play.

9 Scene changes must be kept to a minimum and made as simple as possible. A single scene is preferred.

10 Each play submitted must be the writer’s original work and should not have been previously performed in public.

11 Scripts must NOT have the writers own name. They should have a false name – for reading and judging only – your real name and address/telephone number/e-mail address should be on a separate sheet of paper.

12 There is no entry fee and our aim is not to make a profit but to cover our costs. Please make sure that you have the appropriate postage on your script when you send it in.

13 If you wish to be updated on the progress of your play please place two stamped addressed envelopes inside a third envelope. Seal this third envelope and write the title of your play – in capitals – on it. Send this with your script. Your script will be read under your nom de plume but – as stated – your name, address etc are needed for updates and further details. Alternatively, please e-mail your script - details at foot of page. You will then be updated by e-mail.

14 All plays submitted will be read in organised play-readings by members of the Congleton Players Management Committee who will choose four/five plays to be performed at the 300 seat Daneside Theatre, Congleton in July 2012. Members of the audience will vote for the play of their choice and the winner will be presented with a cheque for £150.

15 Your submission of a play in this competition automatically grants Congleton Players and the Daneside Theatre Trust royalty free performing rights to your submitted play. If you have any queries regarding these terms and conditions please contact us BEFORE you submit your play.

Listen to a Silk FM broadcast about the One Act Plays