PARC’s Shakespeare By The Sea Festival CALL FOR PLAYWRIGHTS

Shakespeare by the Sea Festival is thrilled to announce that we will be commissioning a new play for young audiences for production in future seasons. This project is made possible by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Year of the Arts funding through the Arts Infrastructure and Community Programming Fund, and will take place in partnership with Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre (PARC).

We are seeking expressions of interest from playwrights who:

are based in, or have a strong connection to, Newfoundland and Labrador; and

identify as Indigenous, Black, and/or as a Person of Colour.

Submissions should include:

A proposal for a new play for young audiences, maximum 1 page, including a synopsis and/or concept description;

A short note detailing why Shakespeare by the Sea is the right producing company for this project (up to 150 words);

The playwright’s bio or CV.

Submissions should be made by email to sharon@shakespearebytheseafestival.com no later than 11:59pm on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

What we're looking for:

William Shakespeare's plays regularly borrow existing storylines and imagery from his cultural touchstones, such as Greco-Roman mythology and Western European folklore. We encourage applicants to consider and be inspired by the stories, characters, and images from their own cultural touchstones.

The ideal outcome of this project is a play for children of all ages, 30-45 minutes long, that can be produced with a company of volunteer actors. As a company, Shakespeare by the Sea gravitates toward outdoor venues. As a result, our technical design capacity is limited. Applicants are encouraged to consider these factors when developing proposals.

Submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee. The selected playwright will receive a $5000 commission fee, and the project will receive dramaturgical support through PARC, including participation in the Playwrights’ Retreat in May 2025 in Tantramar, New Brunswick.

Since 1993, Shakespeare by the Sea Festival has been producing high-quality community theatre in the St. John's area. Our vision is that everyone - yes, everyone! - has the opportunity to enjoy and engage with Shakespeare through work that resonates beyond the stage. We are inspired by the unique people and landscapes of our area.

Please contact Sharon at sharon@shakespearebytheseafestival.com with any questions or for application assistance.