CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: ATTENTION PLAYWRIGHTS

Gateway Theatre, Richmond’s professional theatre company, invites submissions from established and emerging Canadian playwrights for SceneFirst, our New Play Development Program. Now into its sixth season, SceneFirst focuses on developing and producing new works as well as providing developmental support for works in progress.  Last year we received over 70 submissions and three were chosen for public readings.  Select scripts from SceneFirst receive further developmental support and can go on to be produced as part of the Gateway Studio Series.   Burning In, a new play by Natalie Meisner received its’ premiere production in 2010-11 after a reading at SceneFirst and subsequent developmental support from Gateway Theatre.

If your play is selected you will be contacted by December 2011.  Scripts selected for SceneFirst will receive a short workshop and staged reading in late January 2012, and will be considered for production in our upcoming seasons.  

Deadline for Submissions: October 14, 2011.

GUIDELINES:

• Scripts must be by Canadians or Landed Immigrants, original, unproduced and between 60 and 120 minutes in length. Scripts previously submitted will not be accepted. 
• We will accept one submission per playwright.
• Cast size: Plays in our season usually range in cast size from 1-5 actors.
• Plays of specific cultural origins are welcome but must be submitted in English.
• Please include a one-page synopsis with your submission.  The synopsis should include theme, plot, and length of play, character breakdown and any doubling possibilities.
• Please include a title page, with the name of play, author’s name and contact information.
• Submissions must be in hard copy only (emails will NOT be accepted), typed or word-processed, single or double sided, loose pages and minimum 11-point font on white paper. All pages must be numbered with the title of the play on each page.
• Please DO NOT submit original copies; Gateway Theatre will not return materials unless they are submitted with a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Please note:

• Gateway Theatre encourages contemporary casting for all play readings and productions.
• Playwrights whose scripts are selected are encouraged to attend the workshop and staged reading.  An honourarium will be provided to writers, however travel is the responsibility of the artist. 
• Plays that do not meet the criteria listed above may not be read.