“We are looking for the next big thing in children and youth theatre,” said Brian Marshall, artistic director of the theatre. “All the submissions are productions that have never been produced and are from writers from all over the world.”
Want to participate?
WHAT: The Ronald M. Ruble New Play Festival
WHEN:Accepting submissions until February 1, 2013
WHERE: Caryl Crane Youth Theatre, One University Drive, Huron
COST: Free if submitted before January 1, 2013, $10 reader’s fee if submitted after January 1, 2013
INFO: www.firelands.bgsu.edu/arts/ccyt/
The only requirements for submissions are that the production has be a full-length play or musical for children or young adults, never have been produced, be at least 1 hour long, but no longer than 120 minutes, appropriate for audiences of all ages and have a cast size no less than five and no more than 32.
“After we receive all the submission we narrow it down to five submissions,” Marshall said. “The five submissions are then put through a stage theatre reading for one weekend.”
After all five productions are read to a live audience and a committee, one play is selected as the winner.
The author, or authors, of the winning play will receive a $500 cash prize and the option to have a three-week workshop of their production during the 2014 season of the Caryl Crane Youth Theatre.
“After the workshop the author or authors will have their production performed for one weekend during our 2014 season,” Marshall said.
On average the theatre receives between 150 and 200 submissions from aspiring playwrights from all over the world.
“We have received submissions from Argentina, Ireland, Belize, Japan and even Scandinavia,” Marshall said. “It is amazing how many talented writers there are out there.”
Submissions have ranged from dramas about children having cancer to punk rock musicals about Romeo and Juliet. Comedies, dramas, musicals and farces are all welcomed to apply.
“We want a creative story that has not been told before,” Marshall said. “We are also looking for something that connects with our youth actors and a family friendly audience.”
The five finalists will be chosen by April 1, 2013 and notified via the Caryl Crane Youth Theatre website. The weekend long Ronald M. Ruble New Play Festival, where the plays will be read in front of a live audience, will be in late April 2013.
There is no fee for submissions received before January 1, 2013 and a $10 reader’s fee for submissions received after January 1, 2013.
If you are interested in submitting your work to the festival or have questions, visit www.firelands.bgsu.edu/arts/ccyt/.
