The Essential Theatre is currently seeking submissions of new full-length plays for consideration to include for development in its New Play Reading Series. Plays submitted for consideration must be new and never read or produced in workshop or performance for the general public’s consumption independently or under the auspices of an organization. Plays submitted and accepted into the process will be developed for a three-year period and scheduled for a world premiere production pending the level of artistic merit upon completion. Each accepted submission is given six scheduled readings over the three year development process. Three of the readings will be open to the public and three will be closed and limited to actors, the Playwright and artistic personnel. Each reading concludes with a discussion with the Playwright about the work. Playwrights unable to commit to a structured three year process with hard deadlines are discouraged from submitting. All workshop readings will be held in, Washington, DC and writers must be present for each reading. Partial transportation assistance may be available upon the completion of the accepted Playwright’s second year. Submitted scripts must be new, full-length or have the desire to achieve full length. Each submission must contain under one cover script with numbered pages and cover page, contact information , short play synopsis: not to exceed one paragraph, a list of characters, and Playwright’s bio; outlines, resumes or links to personal web sites are not acceptable and will be deemed an incomplete submission. In an effort to go green, submissions may be submitted electronically as a MS word attachment to theessentialtheatre @hotmail. com, or mailed on standard CD in MS word format along with a SASP to acknowledge receipt of your materials. Entries that are incomplete or do not conform to the requested format will not receive consideration. RTF and Zip files will be qualified as an incomplete submission. Please do not send these types of attachments as the issues these types of files pose vary according to equipment. The Deadline for receipt of submissions is, Wednesday, September 17, 2008. All topics will be considered and all submissions received by deadline date acknowledged.

The Essential Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre dedicated, but not limited to, producing theatre that is reflective of the African-American experience, which speaks distinctly from an African-American voice. It is also an objective of the theatre to produce programs for youth in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area that promotes interdisciplinary education and positive levels of self-esteem.Initiated during spring of 1992, The New Play Reading Series was created to give voice to the work of new and established playwrights. It is in substance an incubator that serves to nurture the work for a three-year period in a supportive and collaborative environment with other artisans, actors and directors. Further, it is a forum where audience members are welcomed to engage in an open, frank dialogue with the playwright and director about the issues presented in the material as well as techniques used to present them. Please note that no submissions will be accepted after the deadline date of, Wednesday, September 17, 2008.

Persons wishing to mail submissions may do so by sending to:
The Essential Theatre
Attn: New Play Reading Series
1112 11th Street, NW
Suite 100
Washington, DC 20001

Final decisions on submissions accepted will be made by, Friday, October 17, 2008. For more information contact (202) 328-0569 or E-mail, theessentialtheatre @hotmail. com while web site is under re-construction.

Please REMEMBER! All submissions must be sent in MS word format. Submissions can be E-mailed as an MS word attachment or mailed on standard CD in MS word in an effort to preserve trees. All submissions must include under one (1) cover: The submitted play with cover page, contact information and numbered pages. A list of characters. A brief synopsis of the play. A Playwright’s biographical statement. (Resumes, outlines and links to personal web sites will be deemed an incomplete submission). Please Do Not send RTF and zipped files.The essential Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Organization and champions workplace diversity.