From Page to Stage: Submitting Your Play to Thespian Playworks
Thespian Playworks is an annual theater festival that provides high school students with an opportunity to showcase their writing and acting skills. Thespian Playworks receives submissions from all over the country, making it a great platform for budding playwrights and actors to display their talents.
Purpose of the article
The purpose of this article is to inform high school students about the process of submitting their play to Thespian Playworks.
This article will provide students with a detailed overview of the submission guidelines, format, and deadlines, as well as tips and tricks to improve their chances of success.
By the end of this article, students will have a clear understanding of what it takes to submit a successful play to Thespian Playworks and the benefits of participating in the festival.
What is Thespian Playworks?
What exactly is Thespian Playworks? Thespian Playworks is a national theater festival for high school students. The festival provides a platform for aspiring playwrights and actors to showcase their talents in a professional setting.
It is a highly competitive event that receives submissions from all over the country. Thespian Playworks offers opportunities for high school students to hone their writing and acting skills, gain valuable feedback, network with peers and professionals, and potentially earn scholarships and awards.
Brief information and history of Thespian Playworks
Thespian Playworks was first established in 1999 by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).
The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is a non-profit organization that supports and advocates for theater education in K-12 schools.
The organization has over 135,000 members, including theater teachers, students, and professionals, and operates in all 50 states and several countries around the world.
One of the primary goals of EdTA is to provide resources and support to theater teachers. The organization offers a range of programs and services designed to help teachers develop their skills and advance their careers.
As a result, Thespian Playworks was established. It was initially created to provide opportunities for high school students to showcase their playwriting skills.
Over time, the festival expanded to include a range of categories, including comedy, drama, and musicals.
Today, Thespian Playworks is one of the largest and most prestigious theater festivals for high school students in the United States.
Format of the festival
Playworks is an annual festival that takes place in various locations across the United States. The festival features a selection of plays that high school students perform.
The number of plays selected for performance varies from year to year, but typically ranges from ten to twenty.
The festival is open to all high school students, regardless of their level of experience in theater. Each year, the festival committee selects a panel of judges who are professionals in the theater industry. These judges evaluate the performances and provide feedback to the participants.
Categories of plays that can be submitted
The festival encourages submissions that are original and creative, and that showcase the unique talents and perspectives of high school students.
The plays must be between ten and thirty minutes in length and must not have been previously published or performed outside of a school setting.
Thespian Playworks accepts plays in a range of categories, including comedy, drama, and musicals.
Comedy
Thespian Playworks accepts submissions of comedic plays from high school students across the country.
Comedy plays can range from light-hearted and silly to dark and absurd. Successful comedy plays typically showcase a unique perspective or situation that resonates with the audience.
High school students interested in submitting a comedic play to Thespian Playworks should consider the pacing of their play, the timing of their jokes, and the consistency of their humor. They should also ensure that their play is original, creative, and not offensive.
Drama
Thespian Playworks also accepts submissions of dramatic plays from high school students. Drama plays can range from intense and emotional to poignant and thought-provoking.
Successful drama plays typically explore a unique situation or relationship that resonates with the audience.
High school students interested in submitting a dramatic play to Thespian Playworks should consider the pacing of their play, the depth of their characters, and the impact of their message.
They should also ensure that their play is original, creative, and not gratuitously violent or graphic.
Musical
Thespian Playworks welcomes submissions of original musical plays from high school students. Musical plays combine elements of theater and music to create a unique and dynamic performance.
Successful musical plays typically feature catchy songs, memorable characters, and a cohesive storyline.
High school students interested in submitting a musical play to Thespian Playworks should consider the pacing of their play, the quality of their music and lyrics, and the impact of their performance.
They should also ensure that their play is original, creative, and not offensive. High school students interested in submitting a musical play should keep in mind that Thespian Playworks requires all music and lyrics to be original and not copied from existing sources.
Notable past performances or award winners
Thespian Playworks has showcased a range of outstanding performances over the years. Some notable past performances include “The Madwomen’s Late Night Cabaret” by Hannah Baker, “The Book of Lenny” by Ben Bartolone, and “The Playground” by Brianna Bauchiero.
Thespian Playworks has also recognized outstanding works with various awards, including the Outstanding Playwright Award, the Outstanding Actor Award, and the Outstanding Director Award.
How to Get Involved in the Thespian Playworks?
How can one become involved in the Thespian Playworks? High school students who are interested in submitting their play to Thespian Playworks should start by familiarizing themselves with the submission guidelines and deadlines.
The festival typically opens its submissions process in the fall and closes it in the winter, with performances taking place in the spring.
Students should also consider the type of play they want to submit to and the format requirements, such as length and content.
Students can find more information about the festival and the submission process on the Thespian Playworks website.
Process for submitting a play to Thespian Playworks
The submission process for Thespian Playworks involves several steps. First, students must write their play and ensure that it meets the festival’s guidelines for length and content.
Next, they must format their play according to the festival’s requirements, which typically include font size, spacing, and margin settings.
Once their play is complete, students must submit it through the festival’s online submission portal.
The festival committee reviews all submissions and selects the plays that will be performed at the festival.
Students whose plays are selected will be notified by the festival committee and given further instructions on how to prepare for their performance.
Guidelines for play submissions
Thespian Playworks has specific guidelines for play submissions that students must follow in order to be considered for performance.
These guidelines include the length of the play, the content, and the language used. Plays must be between ten and thirty minutes in length and must not have been previously published or performed outside of a school setting.
The content of the play must be appropriate for a high school audience and should not contain offensive or inappropriate material.
Additionally, Thespian Playworks requires that all plays be written in English and that they adhere to the festival’s formatting requirements.
Get a recommendation from the drama teacher or Thespian troupe leader
High school students who are interested in submitting a play to Thespian Playworks are encouraged to seek the support and guidance of their drama teacher or Thespian troupe leader.
These individuals can provide valuable feedback on the student’s play and offer advice on how to improve their chances of success.
Additionally, drama teachers and Thespian troupe leaders can provide students with information on the festival and the submission process, as well as offer recommendations and endorsements for their play.
Students who are interested in submitting a play to Thespian Playworks should talk to their drama teacher or Thespian troupe leader early in the process to ensure that they have enough time to prepare their submission.
What are the benefits of participating in Thespian Playworks?
What are the advantages of becoming a part of Thespian Playworks? Participating in Thespian Playworks can offer a range of benefits for high school students. Below are some of the benefits the students may gain if they join the prestigious writing program:
Opportunity to showcase writing and acting skills
Thespian Playworks provides high school students with an opportunity to showcase their writing and acting skills in a professional setting.
The festival attracts a diverse range of plays, from comedies to dramas to musicals, which allows students to showcase their unique talents and perspectives.
For aspiring playwrights, Thespian Playworks is an opportunity to see their work performed in front of a live audience, which can be incredibly rewarding.
For actors, Thespian Playworks is an opportunity to perform in a challenging and competitive environment, which can help them hone their skills and build their resume.
Chance to receive feedback from theater professionals and peers
Thespian Playworks offers students the opportunity to receive feedback from theater professionals and peers.
The festival employs a panel of judges who are industry professionals and who evaluate the performances and provide feedback to the participants.
This feedback can be invaluable for students who are looking to improve their skills and develop their craft.
Additionally, students can receive feedback from their peers, which can help them refine their work and gain a deeper understanding of the craft of theater.
Networking opportunities with other high school theater students and industry professionals
Thespian Playworks provides students with networking opportunities with other high school theater students and industry professionals.
Students can meet other students who share their passion for theater and build relationships that can last a lifetime.
Additionally, students can meet industry professionals, such as directors, producers, and agents, who can provide guidance and advice on how to pursue a career in theater.
Potential for scholarships and awards
Thespian Playworks offers students the potential for scholarships and awards. The festival recognizes outstanding works with various awards, including the Outstanding Playwright Award, the Outstanding Actor Award, and the Outstanding Director Award.
Additionally, some colleges and universities offer scholarships to Thespian Playworks participants.
These scholarships can help students pursue their passion for theater and gain the education and training they need to succeed in the industry.
What are some tips for success in Thespian Playworks?
How may one improve their chances of winning in Thespian Playworks? High school students who are interested in submitting their play to Thespian Playworks can improve their chances of success by following some tips and best practices.
Following guidelines and formatting correctly
Thespian Playworks has specific guidelines and formatting requirements for play submissions that students must follow in order to be considered for performance.
Students should carefully review these guidelines and ensure that their play meets the festival’s requirements for length, content, and formatting.
Students should also double-check their spelling and grammar and ensure that their play is free from errors and typos.
Seek feedback from peers and teachers before submitting
High school students who are interested in submitting their play to Thespian Playworks should seek feedback from their peers and teachers before submitting.
Peers and teachers can provide valuable feedback on the quality of the writing, the pacing of the play, and the depth of the characters.
They can also offer advice on how to improve the play and make it more engaging and impactful.
Suggest ways to rehearse and prepare for the festival, such as practicing acting and blocking
Once a student’s play has been selected for performance at Thespian Playworks, it’s important to rehearse and prepare for the festival.
Students should practice acting, blocking, and delivery of lines to ensure that their performance is polished and professional.
They should also work on building chemistry with their co-actors and focus on delivering a compelling and engaging performance.
Importance of professionalism and respect during the festival
Thespian Playworks is a professional and competitive festival, and it’s important for students to demonstrate professionalism and respect throughout the process.
This includes arriving on time for rehearsals and performances, being respectful and courteous to fellow actors, directors, and judges, handling disagreements, and adhering to the festival’s rules and guidelines.
Students should also be open to feedback and constructive criticism and use it to improve their performance.
Conclusion
Thespian Playworks offers a range of benefits and opportunities for high school students who are interested in theater and performing arts.
The festival provides a platform for students to showcase their writing and acting skills, gain valuable feedback from industry professionals and peers, network with other high school theater students and industry professionals, and potentially earn scholarships and awards.
Participating in Thespian Playworks can help students build their confidence, develop their communication skills, and gain exposure to the professional theater world.
Relevance of creative interests and building skills among today’s youth
Today’s youth are growing up in a world that is rapidly changing, and it is more important than ever for them to develop their creative interests and build their skills.
Participating in Thespian Playworks can help high school students develop their creative and artistic skills, while also building their confidence, communication skills, and teamwork abilities.
These skills are essential for success in both personal and professional life, and Thespian Playworks offers a unique opportunity for students to develop them in a supportive and engaging environment.
Encourage high school students to get involved and submit a play
If you are a high school student who is interested in theater and performing arts, we encourage you to get involved in Thespian Playworks and submit your play.
Thespian Playworks offers a range of categories, including comedy, drama, and musicals, and welcomes submissions from all high school students, regardless of their level of experience in theater.
By participating in Thespian Playworks, you can showcase your writing and acting skills, gain valuable feedback, network with peers and professionals, and potentially earn scholarships and awards.
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