The Woodward/Newman Drama Award is an exclusive honor offered by Bloomington Playwrights Project, in partnership with Joanne Woodward, remembering the many great dramas she and Paul Newman performed in together. It presents the best unpublished full-length drama of the year with a prize of $3,000 and a full production as part of the BPP’s 2010-11 Mainstage season.

The Bloomington Playwrights Project is a not-for-profit theatre with non-Equity performers. The theatre is a black box with 90 seats. Because the BPP is a script-developing organization, winning playwrights are expected to become part of the development process, working with the director in person or via long-distance. Each winning play receives a staged reading early in the development process. This staged reading is open to the public and the playwright is encouraged to attend.

Guidelines for Submission

(subject to change):

1. “Full-length” plays will have a complete running time of between 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes) to 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes).

2. Plays submitted must be unpublished at the time of submission. Plays that have received developmental readings, workshop productions, or productions at small theatre companies are acceptable. No scripts with previous productions at major regional theaters will be accepted. Once entered, subsequent activity does not change the acceptability of the script.

3. Each submission must include a synopsis (1 page or less) including the cast size. A separate page should include a brief bio of the playwright, and production/development history if applicable.

4. Each submission must include a cover letter with contact information and a $10.00 reader fee. Agent submissions require no fee. The fee will be waived for Dramatist Guild members with an enclosed photocopy of a membership card. It is preferable for musicals to include a demo CD. The complete score is not necessary but may be included. All plays are read by BPP’s literary personnel led by and including the Literary Manager and Artistic Director.

5. We do not accept e-mail submissions. Scripts will not be returned.

6. The BPP reserves the right not to name a winner and/or name a winner but not commit to a reading or production. These instances are rare but can and do occur.

7. Send to:
Woodward/Newman Drama Award
Bloomington Playwrights Project
107 W. 9th Street
Bloomington, IN 47404

8. Scripts must be postmarked by March 1, 2010, and received no later than March 10, 2010. We are not responsible for postal delays, and recommend you not choose to send Media Mail unless you are submitting several weeks in advance.

9. For further information, write BPP, Attn: Literary Manager, 107 W. 9th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404. For faster replies, please e-mail us at bppwrite@newplays.org

More information can be found at: www.newplays.org/WNdrama