20^th Annual Jackie White Memorial National Children's
Play Writing Contest. 

 

  

GOAL:  We are looking for top notch scripts suitable for family audiences with roles that will challenge and expand the talents of our actors.

 

AWARD:  The winning playwright will receive a $500 cash award.  There may also be a full production or a staged reading of the winning play.

 

CONTEST RULES:

Submission

1. The entry should be a full-length play (1 to 1 1/2 hours) with speaking roles for at least seven characters.
2. The entry may be an unpublished original work or an adaptation (compliance with copyright law is required).
3. The play must challenge the acting talents of participating actors.  The subject matter and treatment should not include "cute animal" stories.
4. Technical aspects for the script should be appropriate for a community theatre environment.
5. Playwrights may submit more than one entry.
6. Each entry must be neatly typed according to standard norms and bound in some manner (such as spiral bound, tape bound, or in a three ring binder).  The author's name must NOT appear on the title page or anywhere else in the script.

   You must include the following materials for the play to be considered:

   • Entry form.
   • A 3x5 index card with the name of the play and the playwright's name, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address.
   • Character descriptions and act/scene synopses.
   • Resume of the playwright.
   • For musicals, a cassette or CD of the musical numbers, including all lyrics.  No midi-files, please.  Lead sheets MUST  be provided (a full score will be required should the musical be produced).
     

7. Scripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.  Receipt of scripts will be acknowledged only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped post card.
8. Electronic submission is NOT accepted.
9. All entries must be postmarked no later than June 1, 2007. 

1. Winners will be announced no later than August 31, 2007.  If you wish to be notified of the winners, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for this purpose.
2. The judging committee will be selected from members of CEC's Board of Directors, CEC's Junior Advisory Board, and from members of the local theatre community.
3. The decision of the judges will be final: the judges reserve the right to withold any award if, in their opinion, no entry merits it.
4. CEC reserves the right to award the first place prize without producing the winning play.
5. The winning playwright awards Columbia Entertainment Company (CEC) the option to produce the winning play without payment of royalties in consideration of the first place award.
6. CEC reserves the right to videotape the production of the winning play for archival purposes.  CEC also reserves the right to use the winning author's name and photograph for promotional and publicity purposes.
7. Should the play be produced, the winning author will be invited to Columbia to see the production.
8. CEC will publicize the name of the winning play within the profession and will notify the media in the winner's region.
9. Each author who enters the contest will receive a letter from the Contest Director discussing  the strengths and weaknesses of his play. 
10. Every play will be read by at least three readers.

Financial assistance has been provided by the

City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs