The Center of the World Festival
Selection Process
The Festival aims to facilitate amateur playwrights in sharing their work with social theatre-lovers. As the plays are received, beginning in October 2011, they will be selected for readings held in Pine Mountain Club by a local group, the Free Speech Zone Theater (FSZT). These members conduct workshop readings of the submitted scripts, which is followed by a discussion and feedback session between the readers. These are non-rehearsed readings.
The readers will complete a preliminary feedback form. These opinions are significant considerations for finalist play choices. Playwrights are invited to attend these informal readings and are encouraged to make any changes to their play based upon this feedback and then resubmit the play for additional consideration, so long as resubmission is within deadline of April 30, 2012. This preliminary reading is not required for a play to be chosen for production, nor is this preliminary reading (or a resubmission) a guarantee of production.
There is one advantage to early submission. When your play goes through this preliminary reading process, your play will then qualify for Fiscal Sponsor Selection (conducted by California Family Counseling Network). This sponsorship selection would enable you to pick your own director, actors, and conduct your own play rehearsals. Your play will be integrated into the festival production when final rehearsals begin in July, 2012. If you are interested in this Fiscal Sponsor Selection, please contact: SheliaClark@centeroftheworldfestival.org
What happens after April 30, 2012: For all plays which are not Fiscal Sponsor Selections, the members of Free Speech Zone Theatre (FSZT) will make finalists choices, rehearse the plays, and present the chosen entries at the Center of the World Festival (8/17-8/19/12). FSZT is a volunteer group of community members. More information: Readers Theatre
Through theatrical presentations, FSZT illuminates issues within our community, nation, and the world. FSZT creates dialogue for fostering greater understanding of our different perspectives. FSZT is participatory and ends each presentation with audience feedback on the explored issues. These reader/actors wish to move the audience from being mere passive observers to being active collaborators. For more information, see below: The Staged Reading
FSZT seeks to develop an informed and engaged citizenry, who will be more knowledgeable for participating effectively in our democracy. Plays will be chosen which allow the theme of "Keeping the Balance: Peace of Mind Plays" to be projected into the community, nation, and into the world as theatre tools for social change.
Deadline for play submission is April 30, 2012. Finalists will be announced by June 30, 2012. All playwrights will be notified of the results.
The Staged Reading:
There are various companies which provide "table readings," "staged readings," and even "Full-Fledged Production" of new plays by playwrights. Many of these services only accept work from established playwrights. Others charge significant fees to read and comment on a playwright's work. And there are professional acting companies which a playwright can hire to take a play through all phases.
We are different. In fact, we find ourselves unique in this field, for we offer an opportunity for the beginning amateur playwright. Playwriting isn't your profession. But you have a vision of a story which can impact our social direction. However, you have no funds to hire an expensive company to turn your vision into a reality.
We offer an opportunity for you to witness a short form--10 minutes--of your vision, played out in front of a "real people" community audience. In Readers Theater style, our actor/readers perform your vision with scripts in hand. We provide all creative personnel, and film your vision for viewing on YouTube and provide you with a DVD copy.
Beginning with Season 2012, after the performance, the audience will be engaged in a moderated "talkback," which may provide valuable feedback for the future direction of your vision--whether to enlarge it to a one-act or full play or refine the 10-minute version. This "talkback" will be recorded for your archival use. You can invite your own audience (family, friends, colleagues) as this is an event open to the community. The Center of the World Festival can be your first step for your "work in progress." And a first step which could bring you a $500 Grant Prize to be used towards the promotion of your creation!
