The Bard Award
- All genres accepted. Full length plays only.
- This program originally was for "World Premieres" only, but then we got to thinking...WHY? We didn't have a good answer, so the Bard Award is now for our favorite submission we receive annually.
- WE ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS OCTOBER 1 - MARCH 31 ANNUALLY.
- On average, we receive 400-500 full-length play submissions annually (and 300+ ten-minute plays). It typically takes us 6 months to get to scripts. We do not provide feedback, nor can we confirm each individual submission. If we are interested in producing the piece, we will, of course, be in touch.
- Please include a short bio/resume and brief synopsis with your submission.
- To be eligible for the Bard Award, you must adhere to the following: (1) Have cast sizes of 2-6 (doubling allowed); (2) Run under 1 hour, 45 minutes...we typically like to have the audience out in 2 hours or fewer, and we always have an intermission; (3) Have characters that fit with at least some of our resident ensemble. If your script calls for numerous actors under 18 or over 50, we will most likely pass; and (4) have minimal technical requirements. We are about telling stories. We prefer simple lighting and unit sets...or at least something that allows us to be creative with the requirements.
- Our reading process goes as follows: (1) We check the cast, set, and technical requirements. If they don't meet our needs, we don't read the piece...as we couldn't do it, even if we loved it; (2) We read the synopsis; (3) We read the first 20 pages, judging characters, dialogue, and pace; (4) If we like it thus far (about 10% of ones submitted), we then get a team of readers on it and compare notes; and (5) We contact the playwright if interested in securing rights.
- The Bard’s Town Theatre prefers electronic submissions, PDF or DOC.
- Electronic submissions should be sent to submissions2015@thebardstowntheatre.org.
- Paper copies of scripts are not accepted for the Bard Award.
- Winners will receive a $200 honorarium, and a full production of the play at The Bard's Town Theatre.
- The Bard's Town Theatre reserves the right to select no winners in any given year, if the reading committee decides to select none for that given year.
- Questions should be directed to Executive Artistic Director Doug Schutte, doug@thebardstowntheatre.org.