To clarify here, we’re looking for scripts that touch on the past year, so if you wrote something before 2020 and have not updated it, it likely will not be considered. Scripts should deal with issues of the past year — Covid, racial injustice, the election, etc. Thanks.
The Evanston 2nd Act Players is announcing its short-play script competition for the coming year entitled 2021: It’s not 2020, or is it? Plays that look at people changing in a changing world.
“There’s no question 2020 was a year of immense change for America, whether you looked at health issues, social justice issues or political issues. We’re looking for scripts with characters who are dealing with all those changes to create 2nd acts in their lives,” says 2nd Act Players’ Artistic Director John N. Frank. “We want scripts that deal with the issues of the past year and the coming year, either seriously or comically.”
Scripts should be a maximum of 15 pages with a maximum cast size of three characters. In keeping with the 2nd Act Players’ mission, characters should be adults, with preference given to plays that look at older adults and the particular challenges they face in today’s uncertain world. “Isolation and loneliness have been major issues for older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic, as an example,” says Frank.
“And many adults have dramatically changed their lives during the pandemic, whether it be where they live or how they make their livings. Others have become actively involved in social issues they have become newly conscious of. All of that could be fodder for scripts for our competition,” Frank says.
The 2nd Act Players will select six winning scripts to be performed online in April 2021. “We switched to online productions in 2020 because of the pandemic and assume we’ll need to stay online in 2021,” explains Frank. “Our approach to online plays has been different than most theaters. We’re not just using Zoom but rather have developed video-editing techniques to place actors in rooms together even though they are acting miles apart.”
There’s no cost for playwrights to submit scripts for the contest. Winners will receive small prizes.
To submit scripts, simply fill out the entry form below and we will contact you with instructions on how to forward a copy of your script to us. For more details on entry requirements, check out our entry page. The deadline for entering is Jan. 31, 2021.