Monday, July 26, 2010

SETC Announces Play Contest for High School Students

The Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) Playwriting Committee has created a playwriting contest just for high school students. The winning playwright receives a $250 prize and a subsidy to attend the annual SETC convention in March with an adult chaperone. At the convention, the play will be given a staged reading followed by a talkback.

High school student playwrights who currently reside in one of the 10 states in the SETC region are eligible. These states include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Submissions will be accepted from October 1 through December 1, 2010.

The script should be a one-act play that has not been published or professionally produced. Each applicant may submit one play only. Plays must be written by a single playwright – no collaborations.

To enter: FIRST) Send a $10 check payable to SETC and a completed Application Form (available at http://www.setc.org/scholarship/hsnewplay.php) to Nancy Gall-Clayton, HS Playwriting Contest Chair, 1818 Utica Pike, Jeffersonville, IN 47130. The entry fee subsidizes the prize and related activities of SETC. SECOND) Email your script as a PDF to nancygallclayton@earthlink.net. Scripts will not be distributed for review to the reading panel until the entry fee check is received.

If you have questions, please email Nancy Gall-Clayton at nancygallclayton@earthlink.net.

Friday, July 23, 2010

The Dillenger Dilimma

The world premiere run of THE DILLINGER DILIMMA at Pioneer Playhouse in Danville, KY is about to come to an end. There are only two performances left-- tonight's, which is sold out, and tomorrows, for which only a few seats remain-- so contact the theatre immediately by phone or web and reserve your seats. This is a play not to be missed.

Written by Danville playwright Elizabeth Orndorff, THE DILLINGER DILEMMA is a comic farce, a case of mistaken identity that is truly side-splitting sometimes, and funny the rest. The play is a "what if" premised play based on a single line reported in the local newpaper-- the notorious gangster John Dillenger had been seen in town. From that brief line Ms. Orndorff has constructed a play that may well become a staple of local theatres (and theatres in towns named Danville, everywhere) for years to come.

Though the first act seemed over-long and a bit over-acted things really took off after intermission when John Dillinger (Cris Kateff) took the stage and much of the focus. Yet there were many other fine performances too, particularly both Daniel Hall Kuhn (Jimmy Lawrence) and Katie Sawhill (Ethelene) who both have great comic timing. Still, these were not the only good performances, director Robby Henson has assembled a nice set and fine ensemble of actors to bring this play to life; they do a nice job with Orndorff's fun, well written script.

Try to get to Danville to see Elizabeth Orndorff''s DILLINGER'S DILEMMA for Saturday July 24'ths final world premier performance. But if you don't make it know that this is a play that is likely to be performed by high schools and community theatres for years to come. And who knows, maybe it will achieve more than that-- it's that good!

To make reservations contact Pioneer Playhouse at http://www.pioneerplayhouse.com/ or call them at
859 236-2747. Tickets cost $12- $27.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Kentucky Theatre Association Announces Contest

The Kentucky Theatre Association has announced that its 2nd Annual ROOTS OF THE BLUEGRASS PLAYWRITING CONTEST will accept scripts of all lengths between August 1 and September 1, 2010. The contest is free and open to all Kentuckians, including out-of-state residents, who resided in the Commonwealth for a minimum of three years.

Brief plays are acceptable, but full length plays (single or multi-act) are preferred. Except for musicals, all genres will be considered. Scripts should not exceed 120 pages. Plays that have had a full stage production will not be considered.

A cover or contact sheet with title, name, address and phone, must be included. The script itself should not include the name of the playwright, but it is helpful if the title is listed on each page.

Electronic submissions are encouraged in either a PDF or MS Word format. US mail delivered scripts must have a SASE if you wish it returned.

Six semi-finalists will be announced by October 1, and the three finalists on October 15.

The finalists will receive staged readings and awards presentations at the Danville KTA Convention in November. The winner will also receive a $250 cash prize.

Electronic scripts and inquiries should be sent to Bill Forsyth at bill.forsyth@att.net. US mail should be sent to: Bill Forsyth, PO Box 24081, Lexington, Ky. 40524.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Walker Receives Emerging Artist Award

Recently the Kentucky Arts Council (KAC) announced its selection of six artists as recipients of its Emerging Artist Awards: Daniel Cherry, literary –fiction, Pulaski County; Amelia Martens, literary – fiction, McCracken County; Britton Shurley, literary – poetry, McCracken County; Eric Stem, musical composition, Jefferson County; Brian Walker, literary – playwriting, Jefferson County; and Mariam Williams, literary – creative nonfiction, Jefferson County.

Of the six recipients, Brian Walker of Louisville is a member of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc and a judge of this year's non-Kentucky entries in the 2nd Annual 517 Playwrights 10-Minute Play Contest.

To read the copmplete announcement go to:
http://migration.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/kyarts/Fellowship_Announce_071510.htm

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The Bards Town to Host the Kentucky Festival of New Plays

This year's Kentucky Festival of New Plays will be November 18- 21st at The Bard's Town Theatre at the corner of Bardstown Road and Speed Ave. in Louisville, KY. Featuring 10-minute plays by primarily Kentucky playwrights this year's Kentucky Festival of New Plays promises to be an outstanding festival hosted by one of the state's most unique theatres: The Bards Town.

Located in Louisville's arts oriented Highlands neighborhood The Bard's Town, at 1801 Bardstown Road, is a truly unique concept: the ground floor consists of a 60-seat restaurant and 30-seat lounge, that each serve the Bard's delectable Bites and Beverages. But what really sets The Bard's Town apart, is the second floor--home to The Bard's Town Theatre. This 70-seat theatre comes equipped with 70 chairs (with tables!), food and drink service, and some of the finest entertainment in Louisville including a resident troupe.The restaurant, bar and lounge will open in late July. The theatre will open in the fall. And the Festival will be November 18-21. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in and say hi! For more information about The Bards Town check out their web site at http://www.thebardstown.com/

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Festival Producer to be James Brown

The Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. 2010 Kentucky Festival of New Plays to be held November 18- 21st at The Bards Town Theatre, 1801 Bardstown Road, in Louisville, KY, will be produced by James Brown. Mr. Brown is a playwright and actor who lives in Lexington. As this year's festival producer Mr. Brown will be responsible for finding directors and actors for the plays that will be featured in the festival. Additionally, Mr. Brown will coordinate what will truly be a "state-wide" festival of plays, playwrights and theatrical efforts to make certain that the event can move plays that are performance-ready to go when they reach The Bards Town Theatre's stage.

James Brown will be seeking directors and actors in both Lexington and Louisville-- and elsewhere in Kentucky as well-- to help make this event happen. Directors are responsible for bringing the plays to Louisville ready to go; directors are to hold auditions, block and rehearse the play, find appropriate costumes, props and set pieces, and do any lighting and sound design required. Mr. Brown, his directors and actors have a huge task in front of them; but he and they are up to it.

As an actor James Brown most recently has appeared in Bluegrass Community and Technical College's (BCTC) A FEW GOOD MEN as Major Markinson; James is also in an upcoming play being directed by another KPW member Kathi E. B. Ellis. More about this production will appear on the blog when the details are available. As a playwright James had a performance of his play HIGHER EDUCATION at the downtown branch of the Lexington Public Library in February of 2010. Mr. Brown is a member of the Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc.

The plays for this year's Festival have not yet been selected however it is never too soon for directors, actors and technicians to say they are interested in helping. If you would like to participate in this year's Festival-- whether as an actor, director or back stage please contact James Brown at ky.playwright@yahoo.com

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Important Meeting July 11, 2010

The next meeting of 517 Playwrights is important: we will be choosing the winning Kentucky scripts that will be produced this October as part of our Festival of Plays. We will read and discuss the best plays submitted during the recent contest and try to agree which four to six scripts stand heads above all the rest. Also, we will be discussing which of two possible venues might work best AND discuss a proposed set of bylaws. It will be an important meeting, please join us.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

There's Still Time to See a Modern Classic.

The final two performances of Shoestring Productions' Glass Menagerie are over the Fourth of July weekend. Performances are Friday July 2nd and Monday July 5th at the Water Tower in Louisville. If you haven't seen this American classic of the stage by playwright Tennessee Williams in awhile get out and see Kentucky Playwrights Workshop, Inc. member's Kathi E. B. Ellis' version of Glass Menagerie which has won plaudits for brilliance and ingenuity. Featuring Megan Burnett (Amanda), Lee Look (Tom), Laura Ellis (Laura) and Doug Sumay (The Gentleman Caller) this wonderful play has struck all the right tones with critics; it will with you, too.

Produced in partnership with the Louisville Visual Art Association, in conjunction with their Ne10: Louisville exhibit, part of the National Glass Art Society conference in Louisville at the Water Tower, the show goes up for its last two perfomances on July 2nd and 5th at 7:30 pm.

For more information about the production go to http://web.me.com/harryjb/ShoeStringProductions/. Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors and students with valid id.

For reservations at 502-741-8392 or shoestringproductionsky@gmail.com

Glass Menagerie is being produced by special arrangement with Dramatist’s Play Service