10-Minute Play Contest

Script Requirement

  • Each entry must be original and previously unpublished.
  • Multiple entries will not be accepted.
  • The script should not exceed ten pages in the format described below.
  • It can be a complete play or a segment of a play that can be stage-read in 10 minutes; or it can be an adaptation of any other genre of writing or other art authored or created by the writer.
  • There may be no more than five (5) characters.
  • Entries not meeting these criteria will be disqualified.

Deadlines

The 2012 contest closed on January 31st, 2012. Winners will be announced on March 24th, and the reading of the winning plays will be in late April or early May.

Entry Fees

Entry Fees ($10 for members, $20 for non-members) may be paid by Paypal, see below, or by check, payable to Winston-Salem Writers at the following address:

Winston-Salem Writers
380 H Knollwood Street, #157
Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Judges

They will not be eligible to submit to the contest, and will disqualify themselves from judging any work that they recognize.

Awards

The judges will select three winners. Each winner will get the opportunity to stage read their play, and receive feedback from the audience and readers.

Staged Reading

The three staged readings will take place before an audience in late April or early May (the exact date and location to be announced). Each 10-minute reading will be followed by a 15-minute discussion to be led by a facilitator, Nathan Ross Freeman. Its purpose is to gain greater insight into the art and craft of writing.

Winners will be responsible for selecting (WSW members only) the readers, and if possible a director. Consistent with the purpose,  winners will not act as readers, and preferably will not act as the director either.

To ensure the reading is ready in time, the winners will stay in touch with the project coordinator, Vijya Campagne, during the selection and rehearsal periods. Winners and directors can consult the facilitator by email.

Required Entry Format

WSW is requesting a production (rather than publication) format since it favors stage reading. (See the sample below).

  • The entry may be submitted by mail or by email. Each entry must include an Entry Form with the author’s name, mailing address, e-mail address and phone number, as well as the title of the play.
  • The script consists of a spec. page and the script itself. Each page should include, in a consistent location, the title of the play and a page number, but no other Entry Form information, so that the entry can be judged blind. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
  • The spec. page (see sample below) should be the first page, but will not be counted as one of the ten pages of the script.
  • The script (see sample below) may be printed, on white paper with one-inch margins on all sides, or may be a Microsoft Word document (.doc) attached to the email.
  • The script must be in a black 12-point font, left justified. Courier New is recommended.
  • Dialogue should be double-spaced, and the stage direction single-spaced. Both should be laid out margin to margin.
  • Nothing should be italicized or underlined, but stage directions may be bold.
  • Each Act should begin on a new page.
  • Character names should be centered with the dialogue right underneath it.
  • The play should be carefully edited to be sure no typos, gaps in logic, or other errors are in the script; and to prevent disqualification, please check that these Entry Format rules are being followed.
  • If submitting by mail (to the address above), please enclose four (4) paper copies of the script along with (1) Entry Form and your check. Each script should be stapled, but not the Entry Form. If you wish to receive confirmation that your entry has been received, please also enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
  • If submitting by email (to Contests@wswriters.org), attach the Word document script to the email body containing the Entry Form. You will receive confirmation of receipt by email.  Pay by Paypal, below, or mail your check to the address above.
  • All scripts will be deleted or shredded after the staged reading – no paper copies will be returned.

Sample Spec. Page

TIME: Hannah’s life from 1882-1904

SETS:

Philadelphia: Hannah’s childhood home/tenement in the Negro quarter of “Quaker city” New York: Hannah’s  Central Park West mansion bedroom-office.

CHARACTERS

Hannah Elias: African American enchantress(17 – 39).
Cornelius Williams: Hannah’s Lover, African American furnace tender (35 – 55)
Belle Marshall: Hannah’s Irish head maid (35 – 55)
Kato: Hannah’s Japanese butler/valet/business assistant/servant-lover (25 – 35)

Sample Script Page

Hannah Elias – © 2010                                                                                                    Page 49

KATO

Jesus make mercy! …Oh, Hannah, Hannah, Hannah Elias, please tell me good news. Tell

me it is …

HANNAH ELIAS

(Looks towards the door)
Shhh!  It betta be a girl or I will kill it.  For now, while it grows here (Points to her

stomach)Its name will be Gwendolyn … Toyo … Elias.

(Kato falls to his knees and wraps his arms around Hannah’s legs.)

I will keep the weed alive!  So, we must find a rich last name.  Some rich father to turn’t the

weed into a flower; a bright yellow flower ta carry on my life make it alright.

10-Minute Play Contest Fee

The 10-Minute Play Contest fee for members is $10; for non-members $20.  Click the button below to pay online via PayPal (or send a check to the address above).

      

Member / Non-member