Young Playwrights Festival

Submission Instructions

Formatting and Submission Instructions

Formatting of Plays

• Plays are limited to a 10-minute running time which equates to approximately 10 – 12 type-written pages *
• Plays should be written to be performed virtually using a format such as Zoom or Google Meet
• Content and language must be school age appropriate
• Font size no less than 12 point
• Use no less than double spacing
• Pages must be numbered
• Check list of items to submit:
Title page with ONLY the following information:
Title of Play, Playwright’s grade, Playwright’s date of birth (No other identifying/personal information should appear anywhere on the script)
List of main characters and short, succinct character descriptions
Script

Submitting Materials

• ALL pages to be submitted must be uploaded in SINGLE-WORD or PDF document only
• Only ONE play may be submitted per student or writing team
• Writing teams – each author must SEPARATELY submit the SAME script
• Authors may NOT submit revisions of their work during the submission period. Any revisions may be made WITH THE AUTHOR’S PERMISSION AND/OR BY THE AUTHOR ONLY once rehearsals begin

FOR THE BEST CHANCE OF HAVING YOUR PLAY INCLUDED IN THE FESTIVAL, PLEASE ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS:

* Stage Directions (within the script), the Title page and the List of Characters are NOT included in the page limit restrictions. The page limit restrictions apply only to the play itself; leeway is given when including stage directions – but the play itself should not exceed 12 pages

Utilize the fewest number of characters possible – best to limit main characters to no more than 5

Limit the number of set locations; 1 to 2 is an ideal number of locations to use. Please note that all locations will need to meet the requirements of the virtual format.

Use the KISS philosophy (Keep it Super SIMPLE!)

Important

In order to best determine the running time of your play, read it aloud. If the reading panel believes your play will run significantly over 10 minutes, it will be eliminated from Festival consideration

These guidelines may seem confining, and to some degree they are, but they’re in place to best serve the Festival. Authors need to be very imaginative and creative in working within the parameters set forth. Those who do, stand the best chance of being produced

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