Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre

Time-Sensitive Opportunities | Ongoing Opportunities | Grants

Updated on: June 23, 2009

TIME-SENSITIVE OPPORTUNITIES

For the latest time-senstivie opportunities, please click here to open a copy of the most recent SPC Ezine.

SPC Ezine Archives:
April 28, 2009
April 18, 2009
April 6, 2009
March 23, 2009
February 21, 2009
January 25, 2009

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
Grants to Theatre Artists: Creation/Residency/ Professional Development
Deadlines: 15 April and 15 September

Program Description
The Grants to Theatre Artists program provides support to individual Canadian professional theatre artists of all cultures. There are four components to the program: Individual Creation, Artist-in-Residency, Playwriting Residency, and Professional Development.

These grants allow artists to devote a specific period of time for the individual creation of new work, for terms as artist-in-residence (for administrators, playwrights, designers, directors or other creative artists), for terms of playwriting residencies, and for projects of professional development. Residencies, both for playwriting and artist-in-residencies, are undertaken with theatre companies that receive support from the Theatre Section of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Support for playwrights is available through all four components. A playwright wanting to pursue the independent creation of a new work applies through the Individual Creation component of the program. A playwright wanting to spend time in residency with a company to observe and participate in general theatre practice applies through the Artist-in-Residency component. A playwright wanting to pursue a specific project of individual creation in a working partnership arrangement with a theatre company applies through the Playwriting Residency component. A playwright wanting to pursue a program of advanced training (such as graduate studies in playwriting at universities or theatre schools) applies to the Professional Development component.

In general, submissions for Individual Creation request subsistence for the time needed to create new work, plus research and travel costs (if applicable). Submissions for the Artist-in-Residency and the Playwriting Residency components usually involve subsistence costs for the term of the residency. In addition to subsistence costs for the term of the project, applications to the Professional Development component may include costs for travel, research and tuition related to the program of work.

Developmental workshop costs to a maximum of $2,000 may be included in Individual Creation project costs, but grants to theatre artists do not provide assistance for production costs.

Eligibility
Applicants must be professional theatre artists. They must also be Canadian citizens or have permanent resident status, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Playwrights must have had at least one work produced professionally on stage or published professionally. Other theatre artists must have practised with professional companies or independent professional productions for at least two years.

Scriptwriters who wish to write a stage play must have had at least one dramatic work produced professionally on radio, television or film.

For more information, visit http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/theatre/ij127226422017656250.htm

THE SASKATCHEWAN ARTS BOARD
Announces changes to IA Program

SAB has made changes to the Individual Assistance Program.
From the Saskatchewan Arts Board website at http://www.artsboard.sk.ca/News/news_iareviewreport06.htm Executive Director Jeremy Morgan writes:

"These are the most sweeping changes to the Individual Assistance Program in many years. Perhaps the most significant change is the integration of A and B categories into one category for established artists. Other highlights include our acceptance of the intent of the Panel's recommendation that limits an applicant to two grants in four years, although we have translated this into maximum dollar amounts over a four-year period rather than actual grants awarded. The overall impact on Arts Board resources will be the same, but the approach will recognize in a more flexible manner the ways in which many artists carry out their work. We have significantly addressed the needs of emerging artists by increasing the grant amount, and we have also included independent curators and critical writers in all disciplines in the program, recognizing their contribution to the development of artistic practice and informed public dialogue about the arts. I am pleased that we are able to establish a responsive Imminent Travel program that allows for quick turn over and minimal administration.

"Our response is based on the Arts Board's commitment to support professional Saskatchewan artists as articulated in our mandate and vision statement. Funding available to the program has been increased substantially over the last several years. It is our expectation that funding will be further increased as overall funding to the Arts Board increases."
Read the rest of the report at http://www.artsboard.sk.ca/News/news_iareviewreport06.htm

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CANADIAN THEATRES
"The Theatre Listing: a directory of Canadian professional theatre"

2008 EDITION NOW AVAILABLE!

The Theatre Listing is an invaluable reference to theatres, contacts, organizations, government agencies, and rental facilities across Canada.

Order form available on the PACT website: www.pact.ca

WISHBONE PRODUCTIONS SEEKING COWGIRL SCRIPTS
Deadline: ongoing

Sharon Stearns of Wishbone Productions is looking for scripts (especially one-woman shows) about cowgirls.

"I am part of a small theatre company - Wishbone Productions that works out of The Historic O'Keefe Ranch in Vernon, B.C. (Theatre seats 170).
Cowboy/girl/ western-themed material with music goes over well...."

Send scripts to Sharon
Wishbone Productions
Box 5
Dunster, B.C. V0J 1J0

Or send query via email at stearnssa@yahoo.com.

Learn more about the ranch's Cowboy Theatre at http://www.okeeferanch.bc.ca/cowboytheatre.php

THIS WOMAN'S WORK THEATRE COMPANY
Call for submissions
Deadline: ongoing

This Woman's Work Theatre Co., an NYC-based company specializing in the production of original works by emerging female playwrights, is seeking submissions for its spring mainstage. Particular interest in full lengths with strong roles for women in the 20-60 age range. Casts need not be all-female.

No limits on themes or subject matters, but musicals and children's plays will not be accepted. Send synopses and character breakdowns to thiswomansworktheatreco@hotmail.com You will be contacted if we wish to read your complete script. For more information: this-womans-work.tripod.com

This Woman's Work Theatre Co, Inc.
P.O Box 20290 Greeley Sq. Station
New York, NY 10001-0003
(212) 502-8630
this-womans-work.tripod.com

CURIOUS THEATRE COMPANY
Call for submissions
Deadline: Ongoing

Curious is committed to producing full-length plays that provoke, cajole, question and disturb our perspectives on important contemporary social, cultural and political issues. We encourage experimentation in form, structure and character, but also celebrate accessibility and engagement. We are not looking for plays that offer easy answers, or represent only a single point of view within a complex issue. We rarely produce kitchen-sink dramas or completely naturalistic plays.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
In addition to agent submissions, Curious Theatre Company will accept unsolicited manuscripts to the following specifications:

Please send a query letter including a one-page synopsis, a ten page dialogue sample of the script, the development history of the play, and a resume listing other works. We prefer submissions through standard mail and will only accept electronic submissions with prior permission.

If your play seems like Curious material, we will request the full manuscript. If your full script is requested, please mark "SOLICITED" on the outer envelope, and either send us a SASE or SASPC with proper postage, or indicate if we may recycle the script. All scripts will be reviewed by Curious Theatre Company's Literary Committee.

Due to the high volume of submissions, please allow four to six months for a response. You may submit an e-mail query to bonnie@curioustheatre.org. Please attach required submission materials in Microsoft Word Format (.doc).

Or, you may send inquiries by standard mail (include SASE) to:

Bonnie Metzgar
Associate Artistic Director
Curious Theatre Company
1080 Acoma Street
Denver, CO 80204

http://www.curioustheatre.org/newwork/submit_guide.htm

LONDON BASED THEATRE PRODUCTION COMPANY
Call for submissions
Deadline: ongoing

London based theatre production company is currently developing projects to be shown both in Europe and the USA (London and New York confirmed) and invites submissions of plays for production in London during the second half of 2006.

The Company requires plays of a strongly theatrical style - e.g. plays that could only work in a theatrical context and are not written to be
transferable to other media. They will only accept plays which adhere to the following -

- under an hour in length
- must not rely upon set or props to express their meaning or story
- must contain no more than three characters
- dialogue should be "poetic" rather than naturalistic/"observed speech"

The production will be fully funded and the writer will be invited to be involved in the creation of the performance

Send to Artistic Director Chris New at cjnew@mac.com

STONEHAM THEATRE
Call for submissions
Deadline: ongoing

Stoneham Theatre is committed to fostering new playwrights and producing new works for the stage. Currently we are accepting submissions of full-length plays and musicals for readings, workshops and production consideration.

Submitted plays should have cast sizes of 12 or less and musicals 18 or less. Submitted materials will not be returned. You will hear back from us regarding your submission within 3-4 months.

Please submit synopsis and full scripts/recordings to:
Weylin Symes, Artistic Director
Stoneham Theatre
125 Main Street, Suite F
Stoneham, MA 02180

email: weylin@stonehamtheatre.org
Website: www.stonehamtheatre.org

CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT
Call for Submissions
Deadline: ongoing

Based at the University of Regina, The Centre for the Study of Script Development is a research center devoted to experimental approaches to the development of new dramatic work and writers. The Centre has been developed in partnership with the following organizations: First Nations University of Canada, the Saskatchewan Playwrights Centre, the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, Saskatchewan Film and Video Development Corporation, Saskatchewan Motion Picture Association, Theatre Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Drama Association, Common Weal Community Arts and the Banff New Media Institute. The Centre has evolved as an interdisciplinary environment with a research team of university-based academics as well as professional artists and student apprentices.

At this time the Centre is issuing a general invitation to any dramatic writers from the province who are interested in working in ways not currently supported by any of the Centre's partner organizations to submit scripts or proposals for assistance with developmental projects. More specific calls for submissions may be issued in the future.

The Centre is interested in writers working in all types of dramatic media from stage plays (including musicals and opera), radio, film and video to new media. It is open to proposals from writers, other artists and individuals from the community who wish to explore new and/or alternative approaches to the development of new work (eg. development through extended rehearsal and production, improvisational and other early actor/writer engagement, collective and popular script development, interdisciplinary or inter-media experimental projects including those involving broadband or multi-media technology, community-based script development).

Potential support may include dramaturgical consultations, use of space (for meetings, workshops, rehearsals and performance), access to apprentice actors and technicians, access to research team expertise (from the areas of Theatre, Media Production and Studies, Music, Computer Science, Education and other university disciplines), developmental workshops and productions, documentation and analysis of the developmental/production process, assistance with promotion, publication and/or grant applications relating to the proposed project, posting of writer's bio and work on a Centre website or through weblinks.

In any given year the number of proposals and writers supported by the Centre will be determined by the experimental potential of the proposal, the availability of the supporting researchers, artists and students required by the proposal as well as necessary facilities and equipment. Individuals who wish to have their projects considered for Centre support during 2005 should submit their proposals by March 1. Depending on its commitments, however, the Centre will endeavour to respond to meritorious, time-sensitive proposals at any point in the year.

The Centre would also like to encourage related requests for educational programming to support the development of dramatic writers in the province. These may include credit or non-credit courses as well as other professional development opportunities. They may take the form of intensive weekend workshops or full year courses, and they may use traditional seminar or workshop formats as well as online delivery.

For further information please contact Mary Blackstone at 306-585-5517. Please send scripts and/or proposals to:
Mary Blackstone,
Director Centre for the Study of Script Development Department of Theatre
University of Regina Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2

MILLENIUM TALENT GROUP (MTG)
Call for submissions
Deadline: ongoing

MTG in residence at off-Broadways's Manhattan Ensemble Theatre, is now accepting unsolicited plays (ten-minute, one-act, full) and musicals with a view towards developing their 2006/07 season.

They warmly welcome all themes, genres, previously produced works, etc. However, MTG has a special interest in works which foreground the "theatrical" in theatre.

Submissions are accepted throughout the year and standard response time is 6 months. For more info, visit their website by clicking
www.millenniumtalentgroup.org/script-submissions.html

CBC RADIO - WRITER'S SUBMISSION INFORMATION
by Kelley Jo Burke
Call for submissions
Deadline: ongoing

So you're interested in hearing your work on CBC. You can submit it to me for consideration. I am looking for all kinds of writing, all kinds of genres, all kinds of subject areas. Take a look at the Radio Drama Style Sheet and our Writer's Guidelines here: http://sask.cbc.ca/radio/gallery/drama.html

There is no such thing as work too dark, too funny, too urban, too rural, too ethnic, too experimental, too political, too personal, or too unusual for consideration for Gallery. I want the best, in whatever shape it comes.

That being said, writing that has a strong aural appeal, good dialogue, rich concrete language, is greatly appreciated. Writing that needs to be seen on page and re-read to be fully understood does not work on radio. Nor does drama or comedy with a major visual component.

Work that can be read in ten minutes or less (5-7 pages typed) is preferred, but there are always exceptions.

Writers' fees are standard, based on the Writers' Guild, and Canadian Media Guild agreements, and range from under $100 for a single commentary under three minutes to thousands of dollars for longer works.

If you're interested in submitting writing for broadcast consideration, you have a couple of choices. If submitting by mail, please send typed copy, double-spaced and paginated to

CBC Saskatchewan Radio Performance Box 540 Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 4A1 ATTENTION, Kelley Jo Burke

Include a covering letter with a little information about yourself, particularly your name, address, telephone number and/or e-mail address.

Or if submitting by e-mail, please attach the writing in Microsoft Word accessible format AND copied into the body of the e-mail itself as well, and send it to kelleyjo_burke@cbc.ca

Also include a covering e-letter with all electronic submissions.

In both cases, please allow 4 to 6 weeks for a response.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

E-mail me at kelleyjo_burke@cbc.ca Call at 306.347.9426 or Fax: 306.347.9797
Gallery website: http://www.cbc.ca/gallery/

Saskatchewan Stage in the Works

Saskatchewan Stage is working to stage, in 2005, a production-ready play from recent Spring Festivals of New Plays. Saskatchewan playwrights will be kept informed. In the meantime, they are encouraged to join Saskatchewan Stage, which is a membership-run non-profit organization with the mandate to stage Saskatchewan plays and to broaden the opportunities for established and emerging talent to find paid work on the professional stage in the province.

>How Saskatchewan Stage works<
Saskatchewan Stage procures public/private funding and funds the company made up of Saskatchewan Stage members to stage the production of the play. After the production, the unincorporated company dissolves. A new company is formed for the next production. These companies are responsible for the professional and artistic direction of the production.

Membership is open to Saskatchewan playwrights, actors, directors, dramaturgs, stage managers and individuals who are interested ingetting involved in staging and promoting Saskatchewan plays. An annual membership fee of twenty dollars gives members:

* The opportunity to work on the professional stage.
* A say in what plays are staged.
* Inclusion in a database of talent.

Please note our change of address:

Saskatchewan Stage,
Box 381,
Regina Beach, Sk, S0G 4C0.

For more information on Saskatchewan Stage, contact:
June Mayhew, junemayhew@cableregina.com
James Misfeldt, stoneboat@accesscomm.ca
Heather Ritenburg, Heather.Ritenburg@uregina.ca