After another successful summer, the Downtown Urban Theater Festival (DUTF) returns for its seventh season to accept new works from playwrights. Although the dates of the festival are yet to be determined, this annual event will showcase a two-week celebration of urban theatrical expression by a cross-section of emerging playwrights whose work is underrepresented in American Theatre in NYC. For the past three years, the legendary Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village, has been the venue of choice to host the festival, however, for DUTF 2009, the staff will be considering other venues.

Below are submission details.

For DUTF 2009, the staff will accept twelve theatrical works; six full-length productions (60-90 minutes) and six shorts (30-45 minutes). Each work is performed only once during the festival. Three of the outstanding works produced during the festival will receive $1,000 in cash in the following categories of Best Play, Best Short and Audience Awards.

Please forward all materials to Marie Denise Jean-Louis, mjeanlouis@arcos-ny.com, by 5pm on Friday, 12/19, or via mail at Downtown Urban Theater Festival, c/o Arcos Communications, 341 West 38th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Must include: biography with contact information of the playwright’s name, address, telephone number and email address, and photo; synopsis of theatrical work; complete script of theatrical work; biographies of actors, director, and crew, if available; description of stage set (if any) and production needs (i.e. sound and lighting).

Downtown Urban Theater Festival (DUTF) has been recognized as one of the world’s best festivals for new works and described as “not only prestigious, but a slice of heaven for playwrights who want the chance to freely express themselves” (Theater Festivals, 2005). From an inclusive, multicultural perspective, DUTF presents works that echo the true spirit of urban life and speak to a whole new generation whose lives defy categorizing along conventional lines. It has been a catalyst and an outlet for some of NYC’s most vibrant and creative playwrights and has presented 64 original theatrical works for more than 7,000 urban theater-goers.

Source: TRU