Founded in 2005 to increase the number of quality scripts featuring fighting roles for women .... Fortius Stylus Gladio, Sed Prudens Ambos Portat .... The winning script will be produced in Spring 2010 as part of Babes With Blades’ 2009-10 Season. The winning playwright will receive a $1000 cash prize. Follow the links at the bottom of the page for more details on requirements, timelines and the history of the competition.

And now, the image that must appear in each script in order for it to be considered: "Film Noir" by Chicago artist Kristine Borc. (see website: http://www.babeswithblades.org/competition.htm).

SCRIPT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS for ‘08-09:
*Only FULL LENGTH submissions will be accepted: 75-120 minutes (at least 75 pages) in length. Shorter submissions will not be read or considered.
*Please DO NOT send incomplete submissions, excerpts or a synopsis.
*The image in the drawing must be depicted in the play. (see website)
*Both all-female and mixed-gender casts will be considered.
*Women must be in most/all of the primary roles
*Women must be featured in most/all of the combat
*U.S. and international, male and female authors’ submissions are accepted.
*All submissions must be new, original works, inspired by the contest’s topic. Previously workshopped, published or performed submissions will not be considered.

Please Consider:
*We are a stage combat-oriented theatre company. We like fights!
*We typically perform in small, black box theatres. As such, small casts & simple settings will be favored. Preference will be given to scripts that require fewer than 12 actors, and a minimal number of locations.
*Please take a few moments to peruse our website to familiarize yourself with the mission and direction of our company, our current members, and our past shows.

Submission Guidelines:
*Submissions are due NO LATER than February 28, 2009.
*Electronic submissions preferred: email to swordandpen@babeswithblades.org.
*IMPORTANT: This will be a BLIND SUBMISSION PROCESS. This means your email submission should contain two separate attachments.
*Your cover page with title, name, and full contact information (name, phone numbers, email, mailing address).
*Your script. DO NOT include ANY contact information in the body of your script. No names, by-lines, or contact information of ANY kind. This is to ensure that when the selection panel reads your script, it is a blind read. An author’s identity will only be revealed once a selection has been made.
*If you are unable to submit via email, you may submit by snail mail to
Babes With Blades
C/O Beth Cummings
2050 W. Addison #2
Chicago, IL 60618.
If submitting via snail mail, do not bind or staple your script.
Scripts submitted will be considered the original creations of the authors, not as Works for Hire. The author will retain all copyright rights and privileges granted thereto. If a winning script is eventually published, we ask authors to note Babes With Blades as the original producing company.
Additional questions: Please email us at swordandpen@babeswithblades.org.

Source: The Loop