New Plays, New Voices, New Talents

CPI New Voices Series Competition

CPI invites playwrights who are residents of the Tri-State area (OH, KY, IN), or who currently live and work in the Tri-State counties, to submit one full-length unproduced play script or up to three unproduced one-acts for consideration for PUBLIC STAGED READINGS in the New Voices Series. There is no deadline—submissions are accepted year round.

Submission Guidelines

• Include a Submission Letter and 2 COVER PAGES to the President with your contact information (address, phone, e-mail), and Title of manuscript.
• Include a copy of your UNBOUND manuscript(s) (use rubber bands). Your name MUST NOT appear anywhere on the manuscript.
• 1st page to be your TITLE: (unnumbered page) / A New Play in Two Acts, etc.  Your name MUST NOT appear anywhere on the page.
• The following informative pages starting with the 2nd page (numbered ii, iii, iv, etc.) to provide the following:
• CAST OF CHARACTERS: in order of appearance (include real age, gender and a few-words description).
• SCENE: Locations, etc. 
• TIME: Present or years, etc.
• ACT AND SCENE BREAKDOWN:  Time & location of each Scene
• RUNNING TIME: Estimate length of play and intermission where applicable.
• Add a short BLURB for publicity use: (up to 35 words).
• Add a SYNOPSIS for the Program: (50-100 words).
• The PLAY itself to be numbered:  1, 2, 3, 4, including the Act & Scene:  I-3-45; II-3-90, etc.
• Plays can be on any subject.
• Keep a copy of your script—do not send your only copy.
• Do not send return postage—scripts are not returned.
• Plays can be full-length, one-act, or musical (no screenplays).
• Plays must be neat and printed / typed in an identifiable format. 
• We prefer a version of a Staged-Play Format as opposed to a Published-Play Format.
• Please type in COURIER NEW font, 12-point size, printed on one side of the page only.
• ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION: Upon receiving your paper script submission, you may be contacted by CPI to follow up with an electronic version of your script, so have one ready.  Do not start with an electronic submission. 
• Authors must be residents of, or currently living and working in the Tri-State—OH, KY, or IN.
• If you are not already a member of CPI, a $15 entry fee (1-year membership), payable to CPI, must accompany the manuscript(s). Please note that you must be a paid member also at the time of your scheduled venue.

Receipt of manuscripts will be acknowledged via e-mail; thereafter the playwright will be contacted ONLY if the play is chosen for the Series. Response time varies from 2 months to one year. Titles of received scripts will be noted in the following CPI Minutes.

Entries and payment should be sent to: CPI New Voices Series, P.O. Box 19969, Cincinnati, OH 45219-0969.

For more information e-mail info@cinciplaywrights.org.

Selected Scripts

Members of CPI Play-Reading Committee read each of the submitted scripts. They are unaware of who wrote the plays. The committee follows a specific evaluation criteria (see below) and a vote is taken. Submission of scripts does not guarantee acceptance.

Once the Play-Reading Committee selects a script for a public staged reading, CPI will contact the playwright with a congratulation letter (e-mail or regular mail); further communications will follow to determine dates and iron out any obstacles.

A selected script will be given one public staged reading under the auspices of Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative's New Voices Series. The playwright must, however, be involved in the process and procedures leading to the event and is expected to attend the venue. If the playwright is relatively distant from Cincinnati, he/she may try to appoint a volunteer representative or a Director who will do the extra chores. The playwright is still expected to attend the venue.

CPI Review for New Voices Staged Reading:            (Evaluation criteria)

Title:                             Reviewer: # & Code

Characters:

Date Received:

Type Play: Comedy; one-act; two-act; three-act; other ___

Length: Reading time ___

Plot:

Social Issue?

                                             Weak                                             Strong

Well Structured / Clear Focus?                      1            2            3            4            5

Grabs Attention / Opening?                           1            2            3            4            5

Enough Tension /Action / Conflict?                 1            2            3            4            5

Climax / Resolution is well Developed?           1            2            3            4            5

Ending?                                                       1            2            3            4            5

Dialogue? / Speeches Essential?                   1            2            3            4            5

Characters Well Defined?                              1            2            3            4            5

Key Relationships Well Defined?                    1            2            3            4            5

Overall? / Review Number _____