Call for one-act plays written for teen performers, teen audiences

TADA!’s Annual One-Act Playwriting Contest, open until January 4, 2005,

encourages playwrights to create work for underserved theatrical demographic: teens

November 9, 2004, New York, NY¾ Although teens are the market of choice for music, fashion and more, they remain under-represented in the world of theater—both as performers and as the subject of new plays.  In an attempt to serve more teens with work that speaks to their experiences, TADA! Youth Theater is currently accepting submissions for its 2004-05 Annual One-Act Playwriting Contest. Submission postmark deadline is Tuesday, January 4, 2005.

Three winning playwrights receive a cash award and a staged reading as part of TADA!’s 14th Annual Staged Reading Series held on the first three Mondays in (May 2, 9 and 16) at 5:30 p.m.  Winning playwrights have the option to have their play included in TADA! Originals, a script rental catalogue. Writers of all ages may submit; playwrights 19 and under will be considered in the “Young Writers” category.  This year’s three winners will be announced the week of March 8, 2005.  For submission guidelines contact Emmanuel Wilson, Literary Manager and Artistic Associate, at (212) 252-1619 ext. 17 or playcontest@tadatheater.com

Winning plays are selected by two panels: an unique Teen Panel and a Professional Panel including such notables as Susan Bernfield (Founder/Artistic Director of New Georges); Winnie Holzman (writer: hit Broadway musical Wicked and ABC’s “My So-Called Life” and Michael Slade (writer, nine musicals for Theatreworks/USA, and Emmy-nominee for "Another World" and "One Life to Live”). 

“The contributions of everyone at TADA!, were invaluable for me as a writer,” said Alex S. DeFazio, 2004 winner for his play Mountainlight. “It not only helped me revise the piece, but gave me the extra insight I needed into the minds of these young characters by giving me the opportunity to see them rehearsed, discuss, and read by teenagers.”  Mountainlight was selected as one of nine plays presented in the inaugural season of The Fall Collection, New York City’s newest multi-media arts festival, which began November 1, 2004. DeFazio also found a director for Mountainlight through TADA!’s contest and series; Sherry Teitelbaum directed the reading at TADA! and directed the play in The Fall Collection.

Since 1990, the contest has generated a variety of creative works from playwrights across the country.  Winning plays have dealt with issues ranging from family expectations to teen suicide.  Past winners include Robin Rice Lichtig, Sandra Fenichel Asher, Lisa Diana Shapiro, Doug Cooney, Stephen Philip Policoff, Brian Silberman and Alex S. DeFazio.  The contest and series are an important part of TADA!’s work with emerging playwrights. The contest and series continue TADA!’s commitment to providing “young people of different backgrounds the opportunity to explore and perform theater together in an educational, supportive, and professional environment.”