What is New Voices for a New Generation?

Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte has been working for more than 3 years to develop and fund New Voices for a New Generation, an annual new play festival scheduled for August 2012. Beginning in September 2011, Actor’s Theatre will begin taking submissions for new, previously unproduced plays by emerging American playwrights. Actor’s Theatre envisions New Voices being a springboard for new plays to catapult to the national stage through our existing relationship with the National New Play Network, as well as a program to mentor the next generation of professional artistic talent in the Charlotte region.

The goals of New Voices are three-fold:

• To celebrate and cultivate new plays by emerging American playwrights.
• To incubate professional artistic talent in the Charlotte region.
• To educate the public on the process of taking new plays from page to stage.

NEW VOICES FOR A NEW GENERATION was created by Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte to honor and encourage emerging playwrights of the American Theatre. Four authors of selected works will be awarded a $500 honorarium, with transportation and housing provided. There will be a four-day residency and two script-in-hand public readings to take place in August 2012. Following the end of the four-day festival, the audience favorite will be invited by the Theatre for a full production in the 2012 – 2013 season.

Theatre staff will select the four festival plays, and the decision will be announced in May 2012.

Eligibility

• Scripts must be unpublished and non-professionally produced at the time of the Festival. Workshops and readings are acceptable.
• Selected playwrights must be in attendance for the Festival in August 2012.

Guidelines for Submission

• All submissions MUST be received electronically at newvoices@actorstheatrecharlotte.org.
• Email subject line must read: “New Voices Script Submission” (see note below on NNPN Only submissions).
• One script submission per playwright.
• Full-length, original plays only (no musicals, translations, adaptations or children’s plays).
• Your resume.
• Submitted using Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF formats with observance to the following:
  • Text in 12pt type and in a plain font such as Times New Roman.
  • Script must include title and page numbers at the bottom of each page.
  • Script must include title page and list of characters and settings.

Entries will be accepted through March 1, 2012.

Please Note:

• Submissions not adhering to all guidelines will not be considered.
• Plays not selected will be deleted.
• Upon submission you will receive an email confirmation within one week.
• If you do not receive confirmation, please email us at newvoices@actorstheatrecharlotte.org.

*NNPN Submissions:

Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte is a contributing member to the National New Play Network (NNPN). All submitted scripts will be considered for entry into the New Voices for a New Generation Summer Play Festival, as well as into the NNPN’s National Showcase of New Plays. For more information on the National Showcase, please NNPN’s website.

I’m interested in being considered for a mentorship. What types of artists is New Voices looking for?

Although we are currently not announcing mentorship opportunities, Actor’s Theatre will accept applications for emerging/aspiring directors, designers, technicians and actors. We will announce the application process soon.

I have more questions!

Please email us at newvoices@actorstheatrecharlotte.org.

New Voices for a New Generation is made possible through a grant from: