Published on October 6, 2022 | SI Advance | Written by Carol Ann Benanti
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Sundog Theatre is accepting playwright submissions for its upcoming “Scenes from the Staten Island Ferry 2023″ production.
This coming year marks Sundog’s 21st annual presentation of new, original, short one-act plays about the Staten Island Ferry, everyone’s favorite boat.
And this year, humor will be prevalent in the production.
“The world has been through so much during the past few years,” says Executive Director Susan Fenley. “Events that have not happened in generations, if at all, have occurred. Due to what some may call a perfect storm in the world, we at Sundog decided unequivocally to make this year’s theme comedy. However writers wish to express it — whether it’s high, dark, parody, farce, tragicomedy, surreal, or other— people need to laugh.”
Productions dates are set for March 4 to 12, 2023.
To date, Sundog has presented 118 original one-acts in the popular Ferry series. Produced plays have come from around the country and throughout the world, as well as from a number of Staten Island writers. Some plays that have premiered in the Sundog series have gone on to be printed by major publishers and produced throughout the U.S.
Writing guidelines: Playwrights can submit original plays 10 to 25 minutes in length, not previously produced or published. Plays should have their setting on the Staten Island Ferry (but will not be performed on the Ferry).
Plays should be contemporary, involve two to three characters and require no special set pieces other than benches or railings found on the Ferry, limited and easily accessible props and costumes, and no special sound or lighting requirements. Writers should avoid overt and unnecessary sex/violence/language since Sundog caters to a broad audience.
No musicals or long monologues since plays are memorized by actors in a short time.
The six playwrights whose plays are chosen by a panel of readers will receive $200 each and their plays presented onstage for five performance dates in early March on Staten Island.
Writers can send two copies, bound or stapled, as a blind submission (removable cover page with title, author, and contacts) to Sundog Theatre, “Scenes 2023″, P.O. Box 183, Staten Island, N.Y. 10301.
The play’s title should be on each page. A brief synopsis and 70-word playwright bio should accompany submissions.
Sundog will take plays from now until the postmarked date of Dec. 15, 2022. The Theatre is not accepting electronic submissions.
For further information, writers can go to www.SundogTheatre.org and click on “Opportunities.”
The six chosen writers will be contacted directly and listed on Sundog’s website early 2023.
ABOUT SUNDOG THEATRE
Founded in 2002, Sundog Theatre is a Staten Island-based performing arts organization with several components to its mission: Original, contemporary, and thought provoking theatre in diverse venues, culturally-based school programming rooted in theatre, visual arts, dance, music and literacy programs for schools that complement classroom lessons through the arts, acting lessons offered year-round for youth from 69 to 17 years of age and Tri-state touring productions for schools on educational and contemporary themes.
For more information visit www.SundogTheatre.org or phone 718 816-5453.
