We will begin accepting submissions on March 1, 2010

Scripts must be postmarked by October 31, 2010 and received no later than November 10, 2010

Reva Shiner Comedy Award

Submissions are currently closed. We will begin accepting submissions again on March 1, 2010.

The Reva Shiner Comedy Award presents an unpublished full-length comedy with a cash prize ($1,000) and a full production as part of the Bloomington Playwrights Project's Mainstage season. Previous winners have gone on to enjoy productions around the world and to garner additional honors such as the National Play Award. Past winners of the award include Lynda Martens, Johnna Adams, Terri Wagener, Sarah Treem, Buzz McLaughlin, Janet Burroway, Jamie Pachino, Itamar Moses, Judy Sheehan, and Alan Brody.

The Bloomington Playwrights Project is a not-for-profit theatre with non-Equity performers. The theatre is a black box with 90 seats. Because the BPP is a script-developing organization, winning playwrights are expected to become part of the development process, working with the director in person or via long-distance.

Each winning play receives a staged reading early in the development process. This staged reading is open to the public and the playwright is encouraged to attend. The winning play receives a production during the Mainstage season following the selection; the winning playwright receives $1,000.00.

Rules and Submission Guidelines

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION (subject to change):

1. "Full-length" plays will have a complete running time of between 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes) to 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).

2. Plays submitted must be unpublished at the time of submission. Plays that have received developmental readings, workshop productions, or productions at small theatre companies are acceptable. No scripts with previous productions at major regional theaters will be accepted. Once entered, subsequent activity does not change the acceptability of the script.

3. Each submission must include a synopsis (1 page or less) including the cast size. A separate page should include a brief bio of the playwright, and production/development history if applicable.

4. Each submission must include a cover letter with contact information and a $10.00 reader fee. Agent submissions require no fee. The fee will be waived for Dramatist Guild members with an enclosed photocopy of a membership card. It is preferable for musicals to include a demo CD. The complete score is not necessary but may be included. All plays are read by BPP's literary personnel led by and including the Literary Manager and Artistic Director.

5. We do not accept e-mail submissions. Scripts will not be returned.

6. The BPP reserves the right not to name a winner and/or name a winner but not commit to a reading or production. These instances are rare but can and do occur.

7. Send to:
Reva Shiner Comedy Award
Bloomington Playwrights Project
107 W. 9th Street
Bloomington, IN 47404

8. Scripts must be postmarked by Octobery 31, 2010, and received no later than November 10, 2010. We are not responsible for postal delays, and recommend you not choose to send Media Mail unless you are submitting several weeks in advance.

9. For further information, write BPP, Attn: Literary Manager, 107 W. 9th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404. For faster replies, please e-mail us at literarymanager@newplays.org

Past Reva Shiner Winners are:

2009-2010
Naked in the Kitchen by Lynda Martens

2008-2009
Sans Merci by Johnna Adams

2007-2008
Work by Terri Wagener

2006-2007
Empty Sky by Sarah Treem

2005-2006
The Housewives of Mannheim by Alan Brody

2004-2005
The New Jersey Book of the Dead by Jason Grote

2003-2004
Maleficia-200: A Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches by Suzanne Wingrove

2002-2003
Menace of '64 by Mark Ulrich

2001-2002
New World Rhapsody by Adam Kraar

2000-2001
Outrage by Itamar Moses

1999-2000
The Return of Morality by Jamie Pachino

1998-1999
Alice in Ireland by Judy Sheehan

1997-1998
Medea with Child by Janet Burroway

1996-1997
My Sister Calling My Name by Buzz McLauaghlin

1995-1996
Between Men and Cattle by Richard Kalinoski

1994-1995
Tobacco Legacy by Wesley Webb

1993-1994
Nobody's Flood by Glenn Alterman