For many years, individuals and organizations sent us press releases and brief notices about upcoming events, if they wanted any sort of publicity.About two or three years ago, some of these organizations, town offices, etc, decided that they would simply post their notices on Facebook or their own websites. The problem with that is unless you are a fan of a particular group — The Orange Players, for example — or if you’re interested in what was going on with the police or fire departments you wouldn’t necessarily think to check their website or Facebook or Twitter for the latest news.
Not everyone reads the local print news that occasionally arrives in their mailboxes, so, it just makes sense for the publicity person to cover all of their bases and share the events with every local media outlet to be sure the word gets out.
While searching for one of these hidden gems, I happened upon this wordy (but very informative) item. I felt it was worth the effort to format and share with Orange Live readers because it may be the only place they’ll see it. Sad, because there’s only ONE WEEK left to write a play and submit it by the deadline. A press release would have allowed me to provide you with advanced notice.
The Orange Players has always given the town quality entertainment, and this may be your opportunity to become a part of the fun. This is the ninth “Acting Up” event.
CALL FOR PLAYWRIGHTS!!
The Orange Players will be hosting “Acting Up! 2024”, a performance of ten-minute one-act plays for unpublished works to be presented on Friday, August 23, and Saturday, August 24, 2024. If you are an author of an unpublished one-act, we would love to work with you!
PLAYS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
• Scripts must be sent to OPplaysubmissions@gmail.com no later than 9 p.m. on February 7, 2024.
• Works must be no longer than 10 minutes when performed.
• No monologues.
• Works must be in script format, PDF or MS Word preferred.
• Works must be unpublished.
• Set pieces should be minimal and small in size.
• The playwright must be 16 years of age or older.
• Playwrights are limited to 2 submissions.
• There will be a cap of 250 total play submissions.
• Playwrights will be notified of receipt of works submitted. Please contact us after 24 hours at TheOrangePlayers@gmail.com if you have not received confirmation of receipt of your submission(s).
• One act submissions will be reviewed and chosen by the Orange Players Reading Committee.
• All Playwrights will be notified of selection status no later than June 1, 2024.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
PLAYWRIGHT/DIRECTOR MEET AND GREET
• The week of June 9, 2024, a meet and greet for Directors and Playwrights will be scheduled on Zoom.
• Each author will have an opportunity to speak about their play for a few minutes.
• Copies of the plays will be made available electronically for Directors to read through after the meeting.
• Directors will send their top three play choices via email to the Producer no later than June 21, 2024.
• The Producer will assign the plays to the Directors accordingly.
• Assigned Directors and authors will have a chance to chat and exchange info before auditions.
AUDITIONS
• Open auditions will be held for two nights on Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26 at High Plains Community Center (HPCC), 525 Orange Center Rd., Orange, CT, 06477. All performances and tech week will be held at HPCC.
• Playwrights may attend if they wish.
• Playwrights may not audition for their own works.
• Sides or monologues will be made available at the time of auditions.
REHEARSALS
• Orange Players will provide one copy of the script to each actor and Director in the one act assigned.
TECHNICAL
• Tech Rehearsal will be held August 19, 20, and 21 with Dress Rehearsal on Thursday, August 22, all at 7 p.m.
• Playwrights, Directors, and cast will provide their own props and costuming.
• Set pieces will be kept to a minimum.
• Set pieces must be relatively small in size – pieces that can be moved by 1 or 2 people at the most.
• There will be no special lighting for individual one-acts.
• Body mics will be utilized during the performances.
PERFORMANCES
Dates: Friday, August 23, and Saturday, August 24, 2024
Event Location: High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Rd, Orange, CT 06477
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Seating: Cabaret-style seating, BYO adult beverage and food
One-act submissions will be reviewed by the Orange Players Reading Committee and selected Playwrights will be contacted no later than June 1, 2024.
For further information, please contact TheOrangePlayers@gmail.com
Follow The Orange Players:
x (formerly Twitter): @PlayersOrange
Instagram : @OrangePlayers
Threads: @OrangePlayers
We look forward to working with you!