The 2013 Herman Voaden Playwriting Competition
ABOUT THE CONTEST:
Herman Voaden (1903-1991), Canadian playwright, director and theatrical innovator, was a lifelong champion of Canadian culture.
"It gives some satisfaction to know that the crusade I have helped to lead has made it possible for the dreamers and innovators of today's theatre to follow their dreams and continue their innovations."
This competition, made possible by a generous bequest from Mr. Voaden's estate, is dedicated to his memory and honours his goals to develop a distinctively Canadian art of the theatre and to encourage the writing of Canadian drama.
THE AWARDS
FIRST PRIZE / $3000
SECOND PRIZE / $2000
EIGHT HONOURABLE MENTIONS
In addition to the monetary award, through the auspices of the Thousand Islands Playhouse of Gananoque, Ontario, the two winning plays each receive a one-week workshop and public reading with a professional director and cast at Queen's University. Honourable Mentions receive short written critiques from the final judges.
THE 2013 COMPETITION
ENTRY GUIDELINES:
1. Open to any Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
2. Only one play per playwright.
3. Only full-length plays in English. Legal clearance of adapted material not in the public domain is the responsibility of the playwright.
4. Plays cannot have been previously produced, published, contracted or commissioned by a professional theatre.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURES:
1. Submissions must be accompanied by an Entry Form, available through our site at http:/www.queensu.ca/drama or by e-mail at drama@queensu.ca.
2. An entry fee of $45 will be charged for each submitted play. Credit card information may be included on the Entry Form, sent by e-mail to carolanne.hanna@queensu.ca or by telephone to 613 533 6000 ext 74336.
3. Submit one PDF copy of the entry. The playwright's name must not appear anywhere in the text of the entry, only on the Entry Form. The preferred font is Times or Courier in 12-point size. The pages of the document should be numbered with the title of the play in the header or footer. The PDF copy should be saved with only the title or the first words of the title, excluding articles and punctuation, as the file name (e.g. AllsWellThatEnds.pdf or MidsummerNightsDream.pdf). Entries should be e-mailed to: drama@queensu.ca.
4. Entries involving music in an integral way should be accompanied by a MP3 file of the recorded music and lyrics.
Entries are handled with care, but the Drama Department cannot assume responsibility for lost or damaged files. Receipt of the entry will be indicated by a reply e-mail.
JUDGING:
All plays are read by an initial group of judges. A semifinal round follows. Final judges for this competition are to be confirmed.
DEADLINE:
Entries must be e-mailed no later 11:59 p.m., January 15, 2013.
RESULTS:
The announcement of the names of the two winning playwrights and the titles of the plays, as well as the name of the entrants receiving Honourable Mentions, will be made on September 15, 2013.
QUESTIONS: Contact Carol Anne Hanna at carolanne.hanna@queensu.ca or phone 613 533 6000 ext 74336