Polarity Ensemble Theatre invites Chicago area playwrights to submit full length plays in competition for the Dionysos Cup 2008. The festival will feature staged readings of four new works to be selected from open submissions and from members of the Polarity Ensemble.
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The selected playwrights will get an initial critique and an opportunity to revise their scripts before rehearsals begin for the staged readings. The staged readings will be followed by open discussions that will provide the playwrights with feedback from the cast, crew and a live audience. The playwrights will also receive response surveys that will be collected from the audience. Our intention is to continue on toward an eventual full production of the most promising works. |
Plays need not follow our mission statement. We are open in terms of subject and style.
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To Submit a Script:
Mail your script to Polarity Ensemble Theatre, 135 Asbury Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202. Enclose two copies of a synopsis of the script and a business size Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. Let us know if the play has had any previous performances or staged readings. We are considering only unproduced, full-length scripts. We will read only one script per playwright. Scripts will not be returned. Do not send your only copy of a script. Make sure all your contact information including email address is on your script. If possible, please also enclose your script in a file on disk or email it to us to make it easier to share with the reading committee. Postmark deadline is July 21, 2008. The festival is open only to Chicago area playwrights. Playwrights must be available to participate in the rehearsal and performance process in the Fall. |
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We are modeling the festival after the City Dionysia, the ancient Greek festival that honored the god Dionysos with new drama. Like the original, this festival will be a competition, with the audience deciding who will receive the Dionysos Cup. Any audience member seeing two or more of the shows will be eligible to vote. Anyone seeing all four shows will get two votes, which they can double on one play or split for two. We will announce the winner to the press and publish the winning play in ebook format on our web site (at the playwright's discretion).
Most important in the Festival, however, is the development process for all four scripts, moving them toward a possible eventual full production with us or with some other company. We will provide comp tickets for any directors or literary managers whom the playwrights care to invite (and we will invite some, as well).
We are also open to working with your current artistic colleagues in our festival. If you are already connected with a particular director, actor, or cast for your staged reading, please specify in a letter of interest.
We look forward to reading your script. (But please do not submit if you cannot participate in the process or if you do not live in the Chicago area). Thanks!
The Dionysos Cup is in keeping with our mission to develop new work. The 'Polarity' in our name refers to the poles of the classical and the brand new. We will always be in the business of developing new homegrown scripts and bringing them to the stage. Another Polarity is in bringing works to both the stage and the page. Polarity publishes the scripts it gives a full production.
Email me your questions.
--Richard Engling, Artistic Director
The Polarity Ensemble Theatre is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres.
