Calling all budding playwrights. The Malaspina Theatre at Vancouver Island University is offering a 24-Hour Playwriting Competition Nov. 18-20.
“We’re looking for absolutely anyone with a desire to try something completely different and fun for a weekend,” Leon Potter, chair of VIU’s theatre department, said. “We’re hoping for high school students, arts groups or anyone else who’s interested. Get a team of five people together and come introduce yourselves to the magic of last-minute panic.”
Each team will receive an “inspiration box” on Friday, Nov. 18 containing a sound effect, a quote, a costume and a prop that they must weave into a 15-minute-or-less show.
Then, teams write frantically over the next 24 hours to create a play that incorporates all of these items. The plays will be performed on Sunday, Nov. 20 starting at 8 p.m. Each team will have one hour of stage time on Sunday to organize technical elements of their shows, including set lighting and sound cues. Teams can bring in outside actors to act out their play.
Potter is looking for teams of up to five people, and there is no sign-up fee to participate. The competition is limited to the first eight teams to sign up, and teams must confirm by Nov. 4.
“Aside from a weekend of your time and a few shreds of dignity, you will find yourselves paid back in some of the greatest memories you could create,” he said. “The final performances will be judged by a panel of people from the arts community, and there will be prizes.”
To sign up or for more information, contact Potter at Leon.Potter@viu.ca.