Villagers New Playwrights Series

The Villagers Theatre in Somerset, NJ is accepting submissions for the 2005 New Playwrights Series of original plays. Selected plays will be presented as staged readings in the Zaidi Black Box Theatre on Monday evenings in February 2005. The playwrights are requested to attend the readings to participate in discussions with the audience.

Scripts must be original, unpublished works. We welcome all comedies, dramas and farces of professional quality. There is no limit on cast size, although smaller casts (under 8 characters) are preferred. We also prefer shows designed to be performed on one set, with an eye toward future community theatre productions. One-act plays and shorter scripts will be considered, in addition to full-length scripts. There are no restrictions for content or language, as this series is presented for an adult audience. Musical plays will not be considered.

The goal of the Villagers New Playwrights Series is to provide playwrights with an opportunity to glimpse the performance potential of their works in progress. Additional goals are to provide alternative performance opportunities for our local actors and directors and to expose our local audiences to new works. All submissions will be considered for their potential to fulfill these goals. Due to the fact that Villagers programs are supported, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council of the Arts/ Department of State (a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program), preference will be given to New Jersey resident playwrights.

Please submit original scripts to Catherine Rowe Pherson, c/o The Villagers Theatre, PO Box 6175, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08875. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2004. Playwrights who wish their scripts returned should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with their submissions. Playwrights whose work is not chosen will be notified of the final selections only if they provide an SASE.

Any questions may be directed via e-mail to catherine@villagerstheatre.com