Are you interested in submitting a play for consideration for Cottage Theatre's 2014 season?

Please download one of the following Play Selection packets:

• Word Document
  
• Printable PDF
• Fill-in PDF
  

Application Process

1. Read through the Play Selection packet (see links above) in its entirety

2. Complete the Play Submission Form and submit it to the Artistic Committee with all supplemental material by March 1st, 2013. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

If available, please include the following with your Play Submission Form:

• One copy of the script
• One copy of a CD or tape of the music (if submitting a musical)

3. You will be notified of Cottage Theatre’s decision regarding your submission by July 1st, 2013. Submitted scripts and CDs/tapes will not be returned.

Selection Process

1. The Play Selection Committee will review the submissions and present a season proposal to the Cottage Theatre Board, along with the following information:

For the six plays that the Artistic Committee recommends for the new season:

• The director’s Play Submission Form
• A brief explanation of why the submission is a good candidate for the upcoming season
• A rough budget for the production

For all plays that are not accepted:

• The director’s Play Submission Form
• A brief explanation of why the submission should not be accepted for the upcoming season
• If applicable, recommendations for how the director could improve his/her chances of directing in the future (advice for choosing plays that are more feasible given Cottage Theatre’s budget, resources, etc.)

2. The Cottage Theatre Board of Directors will approve or reject the proposed season at their June meeting. If the Board of Directors rejects the Committee’s proposed choices, the Artistic Committee will have one week to revise and resubmit a new schedule, based on recommendations from the Cottage Theatre Board of Directors.

3. The Artistic Committee Chair will notify all directors about the final decision regarding their submissions by July 1st, 2013. The season will be publicly announced in mid-August 2013.

NOTE: For the 2014 Season, the Artistic Committee will be looking to select six shows for our season, which typically includes three musicals and three straight plays, with a mix of comedies and dramas.

Selection Criteria (in no particular ranking or order)

Director’s Experience in Theatre
Although Cottage Theatre welcomes submissions from directors that are new to Cottage Theatre and submissions from new or less-experienced directors, any previous directing experience (at Cottage Theatre or elsewhere) will be considered in the selection process.

Director’s People Skills
Because Cottage Theatre is operated by volunteers who love and enjoy theatre, the director’s ability to work with others will determine whether or not those volunteers return in the future, and will subsequently be considered in the selection process.

The Play Submission Form
Since the Play Submission Form is the director’s chance to pitch his/her play to Cottage Theatre, the level of preparation, organization and thought that goes into the assembly of each submission could be seen as indicative of how a director might run a production.

Appeal of Play to Audience
Because the sustainability of Cottage Theatre depends heavily on ticket sales, the marketability and appeal of the submission is crucial. If a play is not especially well-known or was not written by a well-known author, consider strengthening the submission by discussing what aspects of the play could be emphasized in publicity to “hook” an audience.

Balance of Material and Roles
Since Cottage Theatre strives to offer a variety of genres during any given season, and tries to provide a balance of show types, sizes, and casting requirements throughout the season, it is recommended that directors submit multiple plays to increase the chances that one of their submissions will fit into our season.

Ability of Cottage Theatre to Produce the Play
Across seasons, Cottage Theatre’s financial situation and available resources vary. Please feel free to talk to the Artistic Committee Chair (or CT Artistic Director Amanda Ferguson) about what can be realistically produced.

Other factors not listed here also impact submission decisions. The criteria above are guidelines only. Meeting those guidelines does not guarantee that a show will be accepted.

** In the event that not enough appropriate submissions are received, the Committee reserves the right to solicit other submissions.**