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Media Contact: Allegra Ketchum
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allegra@montgomerytheater.org
Web:www.MontgomeryTheater.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2010

Announcing Montgomery Theater, Jr. Adaptation Competition

Montgomery Theater is inviting playwrights to submit new adaptations for October 2011 production as part of the Montgomery Theater, Jr. season.  A full production of the winning adaptation will be presented on Montgomery Theater’s Project Stage, an intimate 77-seat theater, with a cast of children and adults.

Artistic Director Tom Quinn says of the competition: “We have always prided ourselves on supporting living playwrights but have never before solicited scripts in this manner.  This program will expand the Theater’s artistic horizons while also providing an important opportunity for an emerging playwright to have her work performed.”  Director of Education Jessica Bedford elaborates; “I wanted to create an opportunity for playwrights at MT.  Writing a play isn’t like writing a book. It’s crucial for a playwright to hear and see his or her words, not just read them.  I feel that we in the theater have an obligation to create such an opportunity if we’re able to.”

The requirements for all submissions include:

• No previous production history (readings are fine)
• Forty to fifty minutes in length
• The story used for the adaptation must be in the public domain
• Multiple characters as Montgomery Theater, Jr. casts children and young adult actors
• The playwright must be available for rehearsals to work with the dramaturg and director (September to October 2011)

Due to the playing space, shows with a single setting or multiple settings with simple, moveable pieces work best.  Also, all Montgomery Theater, Jr. shows are geared towards a family audience.

The winning play will be selected by Montgomery Theater’s Education Committee, Artistic Director, and Director of Education and the winning playwright will receive a $500 prize.

To be considered, please send a ten page sample of your script and full contact information to:

The deadline for initial submissions is March 1, 2011 (submissions must be received in the theater office by 5:00 pm on that date to be considered).  Questions or concerns can be directed to: jessica@montgomerytheater.org.

Submissions must be received in the theater office by 5:00 pm on that date to be considered for competition.  From the pool of writing samples received by March 1, ten participants will be selected to move on in the competition. Those ten writers will be asked to submit their full script and a winner will be selected by June 1, 2011.
                                                                                           
About Montgomery Theater

Founded in 1993, Montgomery Theater is a uniquely intimate, non-profit theatrical enterprise dedicated to bringing new life to old tales and giving age and wisdom to new ones.  Located in the old firehouse on Main Street in Souderton, PA, Montgomery Theater brings work normally seen in big-city playhouses to a diverse suburban audience and provides an artistic center for the regional community.

The Montgomery Theater education programs offer opportunities for children in grades 2-12 to experience theater from a variety of angles.  Montgomery Theater, Jr. offers performance opportunities at no cost to the child’s family.  The Theater also offers year-round acting classes and camps as well as an Artist-in-Residence program in local public and private schools.

Montgomery Theater’s education programs have been twice nominated for Barrymore Awards.  The Theater also recently received two Barrymore Award nominations for Main Stage productions taking place in the last year.  The cast of the recent hit musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was nominated in the category of “Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical” and Tony Braithwaite was nominated in the category of “Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play” for his performance in last summer’s Fully Committed, in which he played more than 40 characters.