24 HOUR PLAYWRITING COMPETITION RESULTS

Seventeen contestants wrote throughout the night in the Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre 12th Annual 24 Hour Playwriting Competition. The event was held at the Education Building’s Computer Lab on the University of Regina campus from 4:00pm Friday, May 1st until 4:00pm Saturday, May 2nd, 2009.

An esteemed panel of judges (Heather Inglis, Kelley Jo Burke, Joey Tremblay, Dan MacDonald, Michele Sereda and Kathryn Bracht) read and completed their assessment of the scripts, all of which were written in 24 Hours. At an Awards Brunch on Sunday, May 4th at the Copper Kettle Restaurant, four professional actors (Cavan Cunningham, Marianne Woods, Jonelle Gunderson, and Mike Thompson) gave a script-in-hand reading of excerpts from the prize winning plays in each category.

The first prize in both categories (Open and Student) was $500. There were also second and third place prizes, as well as an Honourable Mention in both categories. The winners are:

Open Category

1st Prize: The Interview by Ken Wilson (Regina)
2nd Prize: Stillborn by Terry Mialkowsky (Regina)
3rd Prize: Ribald Tales of Remington Academy by Matt Price (Saskatoon)

*Honourable Mention: Veritas by Brita Lind (Regina)

Student Category

1st Prize: Under the Apple Tree by Cassidy McFadzean (Regina)
2nd Prize: Salvation Blvd by Morgan Murray (Saskatoon)
3rd Prize: Lack of Attention, Total Retention by Sydney Gross (Regina)

*Honourable Mention: Bars and Bedrooms by Meagan Rankin (Regina)

Major sponsors of the 24-Hour Competition were the City of Regina, Saskatchewan Lotteries, University of Regina Theatre Department, Saskatchewan Arts Board and the Canada Council for the Arts. Local businesses that supported the event include Coteau Books, Playwrights Canada Press, Saskatchewan Writers Guild, 25th Street Theatre/Saskatoon Fringe Festival, Connie Gault, Globe Theatre, Do It With Class Theatre for Young People, Regina Fringe Festival, Regina Symphony, Hagios Press, Hectik Theatre, Cathedral Village Free House, Regina Folk Festival, Chapters, Grain Magazine, CBC Saskatchewan, Tourism Saskatchewan, Sage Hill Writing Experience, Ramada Hotel, Regina Public Library, Canada Safeway, Culligan Water, Great Canadian Bagel, Abstractions Café, Stats Cocktails and Dreams Pizza, Cathedral Bakery, and the Copper Kettle.

Competition Categories include: Student (university/high school) and Open (everyone else).  Both beginner and experienced writers are welcome.  Admission is accepted from across the province, on a first come first serve basis.  The Registration Fee is $30.00/person which also includes a one-year membership to the Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre.  Computers, printer, paper, caffeine, water and lots of food will all be provided.  Whether you are a first time playwright or a seasoned professional, you’re more than welcome to join the fun!

The event is co-produced by the Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre, the City of Regina, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, Saskatchewan Lotteries, the University of Regina Theatre Department, and the Canada Council for the Arts, with support from many local businesses.

Rules and Regulations

Contact: Sheila Angelstad, SPC Administrator at (306) 665-7707 or email:  sk.playwrights@sasktel.net

The SPC
c/o Sheila Angelstad, Administrator
Box 3092
Saskatoon, SK  S7K 3S9

Phone: (306) 665-7707
Fax: (306) 244-0255
email: sk.playwrights@sasktel.net