National Playwriting Competition
For nearly a decade The Open Book recognized and promoted writing talent internationally through the annual theatre playwriting competition it cosponsored with The Stage & Screen division of Doubleday Book and Music Clubs.
A strong response was realized, with approximately 450 entries submitted by playwrights in 40 states during the competition's first few years alone.
A series of winning scripts were produced in New York by The Open Book, and published and distributed by Doubleday. The contest was retired when Doubleday shut down its Stage & Screen division.
The Open Book plans to revive and expand our Playwriting Contest.
Entries will be sought from around the country. A reasonable evaluation fee will be charged to entrants to offset contest costs. The plays will be evaluated by our experienced readers and winners chosen. Winners and honorable mention plays will be included in The Open Book play anthologies, published by Metamorphic Press, many will be recorded by TOB and released in audiobook anthologies produced by JestMaster Audio, and the winning plays will be produced and presented by The Open Book Theatre Company. We would also like to be able to pay the winner(s) an honorarium.
Educational Programs
The Open Book has worked hand in hand over the years with educators and school systems to create Arts In Education programs for students.
In the past, members of The Open Book have worked with an individual class or entire grade to adapt literature that the students are studying into plays, written primarily by the students, under TOB guidance, which are then performed by the students for the school.
We are also developing a similar program in which the students write the play based on their class reading, but unlike most Arts In Education programs, the play is ultimately performed by professional actors. This gives the students, and school audiences, the rare opportunity to see their script(s) presented as they might be in an actual theatrical production, utilizing experienced actors to bring the students’ words to life. This instills a sense of achievement and pride in the students that can positively reflect on their own self image, and inspire them to future successes.
Depending on the scope of the program desired by the school, and available funding, this may also include students designing and constructing sets and lighting, special effects, costumes and any or all of the elements commonly utilized in professional theatrical productions.
We have found such programs especially effective with fourth and fifth grade classes, although the programs are adaptable for any age through college. Occasionally the feasibility of having young children learn and perform these tasks is questioned with a comment such as “But they are only ten years old,” to which our response is, “No, they are already ten years old,” and should be perfectly capable to learn these valuable life lessons before they are out on their own, sooner than most parents realize.
Our goal is to be able to provide these, and other educational programs, to schools at minimal or no cost as a community service. Funding for these programs will be sought to make this possible.
The Open Book Theatre Company
Website and contents © The Open Book Theatre
Website designed by Striking Images.
info@openbooktheatre.org
Creative Office:
434 Tenafly Road, Englewood, NJ 07631
Production Office:
315 E. 78th St. #1R, New York NY 10075