Shorter+Sweeter Kids
SHORTER+SWEETER FOR KIDS
SCRIPT ENTRY DATE CLOSING ON 16 JUNE 2008
We’re creating a show that will consist of 10-minute-or-less plays for children. Again, the show has not been officially named yet - so for now, we’re calling it “Shorter+Sweeter for Kids”. In fact, we’re really creating two shows: one aimed at 4-8 year olds, and one aimed at 8-12 year olds. Imagine a 40 minute show aimed at 4-8 year olds, then an “interval” where our audience turns over then a 50 minute show aimed at 8-12 year olds.
Here’s the thing: The plan is that this children’s show will be professionally produced and toured. This means writers, directors and actors get paid. (The details are yet to be confirmed.) The idea is to have plays by a number of different writers (from around the world), a few directors (perhaps not quite one per play), and a company of 6 actors (all adult but probably including some very young adults, all ethnicities and probably 3 of each gender, depending on the final selection of plays).
The idea is to create new contemporary stories for a younger audience, not just a retelling of traditional tales.
We’re working on partnerships with a major Sydney performing arts venue and the Esplanade in Singapore, and we’ll be seeking more venues. Dates are not yet locked down, but we’re currently intending for this show to be up and running in early to mid 2009. Although tour/venue negotiations are still in progress, we’re keen to find the scripts from which we will create the show, so we’re inviting you to submit.
Here are the rules/guidelines:
1. The play must run no longer than 10 minutes. (In the assessment process, this is generally judged roughly on number of pages.)
2. The play must be suitable for either 4-8 year olds or 8-12 year olds, and can use at most 6 actors. Other than this, there are no restrictions on theme, topic, etc. Note that music and/or use of musical instruments (to be played or sung by our actors) is absolutely fine (provided there are no copyright infringements, of course).
3. Although we don’t want to restrict your creativity, please keep in mind that if your play demands elaborate and expensive construction of props, a zillion lighting states, multiple complete set changes, lots of projections, etc, we may be forced, for practical reasons, to discard your fabulous script for one that’s slightly easier for us to stage. Sorry.
4. All scripts submitted will be read, and the final selection of plays will be chosen by the Shorter+Sweeter for Kids creative team (which may include representatives from the presenting venues).
5. There are no “independent theatre company” submissions accepted for this show (ie you cannot nominate a director and actors).
Only “unattached” scripts will be considered.
6. Your children’s play must not have been publicly performed (by itself or as part of a larger piece of work) anywhere in Australia, New Zealand or Singapore. (Ie your play must be able to have its “Australian/New Zealand/Singapore debut” as part of this show.)
7. There will be some kind of payment (eg pro-rata royalties) for writers (and directors, and salaries for actors). Details will be determined later (but well before the show gets underway, of course). If, at that time, you are not satisfied with the financial arrangement, you may withdraw your play.
8. We are NOT running this show as a “competition” with “prizes” (as we do for our 10-minute festival).
9. All script submissions must be electronic (via email). Details about how to submit are below. We are not accepting hardcopy/postal submissions for this show.
10. You can submit as many scripts as you wish. (But one per email, as detailed below.) Please note that we have a one-play-performed-per-playwright rule for the show, so even if you submit multiple scripts, at most only one of them can be performed.
11. There is no “submission fee” for this show.
12. The deadline for script submission is 16th of June, 2008. You must submit your script on or before this date for it to be considered.
How to Submit a Script to Shorter+Sweeter for Kids
• All submissions are electronic (via email). No hardcopy/postal submissions will be accepted.
• You will send us an email with your script attached, and important information in the body of the email (see below). If the information is not in the email, the script will not be considered.
• Only one script per email. If an email has more than one script attached, none of the scripts will be considered. (Ie if you are submitting multiple scripts, you will send multiple emails, and each email must have the important information in its body.)
• The writer of the script must submit the script. If there are multiple writers, choose one to be the primary contact.
• There is no “submission fee”. (So please don’t send us credit card information!)
1. Create an email with the following information in it:
INFORMATION ABOUT YOU, THE WRITER
Name (first name, last name):
Mailing Address (including city, state, post code/zip code):
Country:
Phone Number (including area code):
Email Address (yes, I know you’re submitting by email, but write it down for us please - do NOT write “as above”):
Your gender (m/f):
Your age:
INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PLAY
Title of play:
Age Target (4-8, 8-12 or “both”):
Cast size & gender (eg 3m2f or 1m+1either):
Name of other writers (if you are not the sole author):
One-sentence synopsis of your play:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
(you must copy and paste these terms and conditions into the email - if you do not agree to them, then do not submit your play)
– I am the author of the attached script.
– I hereby give permission for Short+Sweet to present my play as part of Shorter+Sweeter for Kids, at a date to be determined (currently planned for late 2008 / early 2009).
– The running time of my play is 10 minutes or less (scripts longer than 10 minutes will not be considered).
– My play has not been performed anywhere in Australia, New Zealand or Singapore (by itself or as part of a larger piece of work).
– Should my play be selected for the Show, I will ensure that my play will not be performed in Australia, New Zealand or Singapore (outside of the Show) until after the Show.
– Should my play be selected for the Show, I understand I will receive pro-rata royalties and/or payment for those performances, but that at this time no details are available. I accept that I will be presented with this financial information at a later date (but well before the Show starts), and if I am unsatisfied at that time, I can withdraw my play.
– I understand that if I am not the sole writer or originator of the idea, story or material, it is my responsibility to gain permission from all other writers or contributors, and I have already done so.
– I understand that if the organisers, for any reason, believe these criteria have not been met then my play will be withdrawn from the Show.
2. Attach your script to the email. NOTE THAT THE ONLY FORMATS WE CAN ACCEPT ARE .doc, .pdf and .txt If your script is not in one of these formats, it will not be considered.
3. Send the email to: kidsplays@shortandsweet.org
4. Submit your script on or before 16th of June, 2008.
For more information contact the Festival Director: Suzanne Hauser suzanne@shortandsweet.org