Hear her call 2020 accepting submissions: deadline 12/31/19

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In March 2020, Conch Shell Productions - in collaboration with Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center at York College - will present our second annual HEAR HER CALL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN WOMEN’S THEATER FESTIVAL. The festival is a celebration of the unique, innovative voices of Caribbean American female playwrights and writers from across the nation. 

"Hear Her Call" will create an opportunity for diverse audiences to explore and celebrate the unique ethnic/cultural diversity of women whose ancestors or who they themselves immigrated to the Americas from any of the 28 multi-lingual Caribbean cultures. 

We are accepting submissions of fully produced of one-acts,  readings of full-length plays, as well as poetry/monologues/etc. 

We will only consider one submission per writer.

Please note, Conch Shell Productions will only provide script feedback to playwrights who opt for the script feedback service.

Featu one act play productions will be allotted 2-3 performance times.  

Submission Deadline: December 31, 2019 at 11:59pm.  Late submissions will not be considered.

Finalists will be notified by January 15th, 2020.

“Hear Her Call” will take place March 4-March 7, 2020 (Performance times TBD). 

Performance location: Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center at York College – 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica New York 11451

The festival will closing/award ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 7th, 2020.

1. No submission fee required.

2. Optional script feedback/analysis: This year, Conch Shell Production offers playwright the option to pay $40 to receive a detailed 2-page script analysis.

3. English language scripts with some text in other languages and/or dialects are acceptable. 

4. Seeking new plays written by Caribbean American females that feature at least one Caribbean-American or Caribbean character, plus 

a. inspires audiences to redefine their stereotypical views about American people of Caribbean heritage, 

AND/OR

b. explores unique strategies for overcoming challenges, living an enriched life, finding joy, AND/OR inspiring change in society

5. We will be showcasing artist-produced one act plays. 

a. The playwright (or indie theater company) is responsible for self-producing the fully produced play or reading (ex. engaging all performers and members of the production/creative team, assuming all production and marketing expenses, renting rehearsal space, etc.) 

b. The play must be original to the submitter, unpublished, complete, and not previously produced in NYC. No adaptations or works that involve third-party rights will be considered.

6. GENRES: Comedy, movement/language performance pieces, one-woman performance pieces, Theater for Young Audiences, magical realism, Afro Futurism, Non-linear storytelling, mystery, or a mixture of genres. 

7. Participants should plan on minimal production value: No sets. Basic festival lighting design.   Minimal props/set pieces. QLab is available in the venue. 

8. The festival is not being produced under the Equity festival code. Each producer is free to determine whether to do present their play as an Equity or non-Equity showcase. 

9.  Plays must be in traditional script format with font size 12, all character names in all caps & aligned to the left, stage directions in italics (click here for example). 

10. Only one submission per writer.

1. No submission fee required.

2. Optional script feedback/analysis:  This year, Conch Shell Production offers playwright the option to pay $60  to receive a detailed 2-page script analysis.

3. Plays must  feature at least one Caribbean-American or Caribbean character, plus 

4. The playwright (or indie theater company) is responsible for self-producing the reading (ex. engaging all performers and members of the production/creative team, assuming all production and marketing expenses beyond what is included in the festival package, renting rehearsal space, etc.)  

5. GENRES: Comedy, movement/language performance pieces, one-woman performance pieces, Theater for Young Audiences, magical realism, Afro Futurism, Non-linear storytelling, mystery, or a mixture of genres.  

6. MGB PAC will provide music stands, and chairs.

7.     Plays must be in traditional script format with font size 12, all character names in all caps & aligned to the left, stage directions in italics. (Click here for example.) 

8. Only one submission per writer.

We are accepting submissions of video-taped audition/performance links from female Caribbean American  performers who are thought-provoking poets, storytellers, acapella singers, comedians, and hip-hop artists to be featured in our first-ever Hear Her Call Slam event.

1. No submission fee required.

2. Performers may only perform work that they have written/created.

3. No costumes, props, set pieces, pre-recorded or electrical musical instruments.

4. Link to video of artist performing the piece under consideration. (Audition video or footage from a live performance) required

5. Maximum performance time: 5 minutes

6. Genres: spoken word, hip-hop, short story/monologue, comedy, singing (acapella) 

8. Only one submission per writer.

This year, Conch Shell Production offers playwright the option to pay $40 (for one act plays) or $60 (for full length plays) to receive a detailed 2-page script analysis from a script analyst/dramaturge. Elements included: Overall Analysis, Characters, Dialogue, Plot, and Commentary/Suggestions of how you can improve your script. (See submission form for details)