DEADLINE: ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2,
2008
Kumu Kahua Theatre is a non-profit theatre company which is
affiliated with the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa (UHM) Theatre
Department. For 37 years, this theatre has presented original productions
of special relevance to the people of Hawaii. Kumu Kahua's activities and
productions are supported by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
by appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawai`i celebrating
more than 30 years of culture and the arts in Hawai`i.
Each year Kumu Kahua Theatre co-sponsors a playwriting contest
with the UHM Theatre Department in its effort to bring new and exciting
drama to the stage. Although Kumu Kahua Theatre has a strong commitment
to producing the works of local playwrights in recent years they have
produced several plays pertaining to Hawai`i that have been written by
non-Hawaii residents. Kumu Kahua Theatre recognizes that many playwrights
who have moved to the mainland, for example, may have valuable insights to
offer about their local experiences.
The playwriting contest is offered in three separate categories. One
prize will be offered in each category. All plays must be original and
must not involve adaptation form any copyrighted source. Any number of
scripts may be submitted by an individual, but a different pen name must
accompany each play. Plays previously submitted to the contest are not
eligible. Members of the board of Kumu Kahua Theatre will read all
entries in the competition and consider each for workshops which may lead
to a production. Kumu Kahua Theatre is especially interested in plays
pertinent to Hawai`i.
For the HAWAI`I PRIZE ($600), which is open to residents and
non-residents of Hawaii, the play must be set in Hawai`i or deal with some
aspect of the Hawaii experience. Some examples of appropriate topics
might be: pre-colonial life in the islands; relation between indigenous
and colonizer; the coming of whalers; missionaries and merchants; the
history of ethnic immigration and adaptation to Hawai`i; the development
of enter-ethnic relationships; labor history; the territorial era;
militarization; the move toward statehood; tourism and development;
contemporary immigration and diaspora; womens rights; the experiences of
Hawai`i's people outside of Hawaii. Restricted to full length plays
(minimum 50 pages of standard form).
For the PACIFIC/RIM PRIZE ($450), which is open to residents and
non-residents of Hawai`i, the play must be set in or deal with the Pacific
Islands, the Pacific Rim, or the Pacific/Asian American experience.
Restricted to full length plays (minimum 50 pages of standard form).
For the RESIDENT PRIZE ($250), which is open to the residents of
Hawai`i at the time of submission, the plays may be on any topic, and of
any length.
TO SUBMIT A PLAY:
1) You must send THREE copies of your play. Plays should be typed on
ordinary bond paper, double-spaced, and on one side of the paper only.
2) Prepare a front page for the manuscript which bears the play title, pen
name, and the division in which the play is being entered. Do not place
you name anywhere on the script.
3) In an ordinary envelope place a piece of paper with the following
information clearly printed or typed:
a) play title and pen name
b) playwrights real name
c) social security number
d) address and phone number
e) competition division
4) Seal the envelope and print of type the play title on the outside.
5) Place the playscript and the sealed envelope in a large envelope (or
otherwise wrap them together) and mail to:
Kumu Kahua Playwriting Contest
Kumu Kahua Theatre
46 Merchant Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Submitted playscripts become part of Kumu Kahua Theatre/UHM Theatre
Department Competition Plays, a collection of manuscripts housed and bound
in the Hawaiian and Pacific collection of Hamilton Library at the
University of Hawaii. Kumu Kahua Theatre reserves first production rights
for two years to all contest winners. All other rights are retained by
the playwright. Three judges, whose decisions will be final, will be
selected by Kumu Kahua Theatre to evaluate the plays. If, in the opinion
of the judges, the plays submitted do not show sufficient merit, one or
more prizes may be withheld. Results of the contest will be announced to
the press.
ALL CONTESTANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MAY, 2008
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