10-Minute Play Contest

See 2011′s 10-Minute Play Contest information here.

The Durango Arts Center is pleased to sponsor its second annual 10-Minute Play Contest in 2012, which will culminate in a full production during the annual Durango Showcase of the Arts in September.

 Click here for a PDF brochure of the 10-Minute Play Contest.

10-minute plays were officially introduced by the Actors’ Theatre of Louisville in 1977, when the genre was promoted as part of the Humana Festival of new American Plays. Often referred to as the “haiku of the American stage” as well as “a streak of theatrical lightning,” 10-minute plays have become an engaging and popular genre for today’s audiences and playwrights.

The Durango Arts Center
Located in the heart of Durango, Colorado at 802 East Second Avenue, the Durango Arts Center is home to a 200-seat theater, an art gallery, library, and gift shop, as well as administrative offices, classrooms, and rehearsal spaces. The DAC is a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to promote the exploration, education, enrichment, and enjoyment of the arts for people from all artistic levels and backgrounds within the Four Corners region and beyond.

Contest Director
Dr. Rochelle Mann, Professor Emerita at Fort Lewis College, has been a part of the arts community in Durango for over 25 years. During her tenure at FLC, she served as Music Department Chair and also as Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She currently holds the position of Vice President on the Durango Arts Center Board of Directors, and is pleased to launch the inaugural 10-Minute Play Contest.

Artistic Consultants
Dr. Dinah Leavitt Swan, retired Professor of Theatre at Fort Lewis College, served as Director of the highly-acclaimed Theatre Oxford 10-Minute Play Contest in Oxford, Mississippi. An actor, director, and published playwright herself, she is actively involved in the both the competition and production aspects of the Durango contest.

Terry Swan, President of the Durango Arts Center Board of Directors, also brings valuable expertise from his work with the Theatre Oxford 10-Minute Play Contest. Mr. Swan is the former Managing Director of the New Stage Theatre in Jackson, Mississippi, and recently served as the director for the DAC’s “Greater Tuna” performance.

2012 Schedule of Events

February 18, 2012 – Deadline for submissions.

May 2012 – The top entries of the 2010 contest will be presented as staged readings at The Durango Arts Center in Durango, CO.  The Judges will select the top 5 entries and the winner of the Grand Prize Award ($500). Audience members will select their favorite 10 Minute Play for an award of $50.

September 2012 – The Grand Prize winning play and selected others will be performed at the Durango Arts Center as part of the Durango Showcase of the Arts.

Contest Guidelines and Rules

Only original plays, never before produced, are eligible.

Each play should require 2-4 characters and minimal props and costumes.

The play, exclusive of title and cast pages, may be no more than ten pages.

Script submissions should include the following:

• An Optional cover letter
• TWO COPIES OF THE PLAY
• $10 entry fee – check addressed to Durango Arts Center

Format should be as follows:

• The Title Page should include the author’s name, address, phone number, and email address. (This is the ONLY place the author’s name should appear.)
• Page 2 should list the cast of characters and a description of the setting.
• Page 3 will be the first page of the script. The other pages of the play follow.
• The play’s title and page numbers MUST be included on every page.
• Staple or paper-clip the play. Do NOT use binders or folders of any kind.

Plays will not be returned. An email confirmation will be sent to all entrants when their plays are received.

Judging Process

• A panel will judge the plays blindly.
• Ten finalists will be chosen.  Only the finalists will be notified of judging results.
• Five winners will be chosen from the finalists. The Grand Prize Winner will receive the Grand Prize, $500, and a production of the winning script.

Winning playwrights agree to permit the Durango Arts Center to produce their contest entry play without compensation if the DAC chooses to do so. Authors retain copyright and full ownership of their plays.

Authors may submit multiple plays, but each play must include a separate entry fee.

Deadline: February 18,2012. No exceptions.

Entry fee: $10 check addressed to Durango Arts Center. The fee MUST accompany each entry.

Send your submission to:
10 Minute Play Contest
Durango Arts Center
802 East Second Avenue
Durango, CO 81301

For more information, email TenMinutePlayDirector@gmail.com.

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