8 x 10 Play Festival 2023!
Smalltown, IL & Mayor Bob
8 plays, 10 minutes each

Fall 2023 Production
Westchester Civic Theater (WCT) is holding another round of our 8x10 Play Festival. It will include 8, ten-minute scripts that are new and focused on creating a threaded show. We hope one (or more) will be written by you!

Theme - Smalltown, IL & Mayor Bob
First, write whatever script you feel moved to write -- if it moves us, makes us laugh, makes us think, you're on the right path.
 
Second, incorporate Mayor Bob (see below for Bob description) -- he may be mentioned by someone, he can briefly pop-in to your scene; perhaps he's heard on TV or radio -- whatever works for you. He should not be the total focus of your script. He is our link between scripts.
 
The same actor will play Mayor Bob throughout the show, and if we're lucky, we can string them together as a series of 10 minutes vignettes, each with the writer's own vision, but combined to make a complete show.
 
That's the idea anyway -- hopefully this gets your creative juices flowing! :)
 
Mayor Bob is the eccentric leader of our small midwestern town, Smalltown, IL.  Aside from being mayor, he's an avid birdwatcher, loves special events, and he's always popping in and out of pretty much anywhere offering up some homespun wisdom, or some statement which doesn't make much sense -- at least not at the time.

Smalltown, IL
It's what you would expect of a smalltown in the Midwest but as creatives, you get to add in aspects that feed your creativity. 
Examples:
  • Is there a mine in town?
  • Can the residents "beam up" to space?
  • Are all the residents vegan?

You get the idea. Stay within the theme but feel free to color outside the lines of Smalltown, IL. 

Mayor Bob in action

Actor, James Klein

Phase 1: Script Submission - Due June 25, 2023

Requirements
  • Ten Minutes - This is about 8 pages of dialogue in 12 pt font. While we will read all scripts, if they are much over 8 pages they will not be considered for production. 
  • Subject Matter - Write the best story that is based in Smalltown, IL and includes Mayor Bob.
  • Cast Size - We like to include lots of actors but will pick the best scripts so focus on creating your best story.​
  • Playwright Location - We don't care where you're from. Have an amazing script, submit it!
  • **Format - PDF or Word. On the title page include your Name, location and email address. Do not include your name on the script pages.
  • Never Performed Material - We want scripts that have never been performed with set, cast and all the drama. If it went through a stage reading or two, okey doke.
  • Set - When writing your script, know that we have limited space, tech, and no projection. Single set works best but if things need to come in and out, that's cool we'll figure it out.
  • You can submit as many scripts as you'd like! More the merrier

Scripts remain your property. If selected, we will produce them, perform them, take production pictures, and record them in production. The pictures will be shared and the recordings will live on our YouTube page. Beyond that, they are yours.

Submitting Scripts
​
Email a Word or PDF file of your script to producer@westchesterplays.com. We will respond that we have received the script. All communications will be via email. Read the format section above for what to include.

We look forward to reading your scripts! 
Submit Your script
Send your word or PDF script to producer@westchesterplays.com

Phase 2 - July 1 - July 30, 2023

We have an awesome group of people who will read all the scripts to determine which are the best fit for WCT and the production. Keeping to the ten minutes is critical! This team will reduce the submitted scripts down to 15-20. These scripts will enter Phase 3 - director matching.

Phase 3 - Script and Director Matching

8 Scripts, 8 Directors
The narrowed down selections will be shared with 8 directors (director spots still open). The directors will read the scripts and determine which they would like to direct. The core WCT team will do some fancy analysis of the 8 director's responses and complete the final matching. From there...on to casting.

Phase 4 - Performances - TBD early September 2023

Hope to see you there!

    To be added to our email list for similar script writing opportunities, provide your email below

Questions

For questions, email producer@westchesterplays.com
​