Premiere Stages at Kean University Seeks Submissions for the 2012 Play Festival

(UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University seeks submissions to the 8th Annual Premiere Stages Play Festival. The yearly competition for unproduced scripts offers developmental opportunities to four playwrights born or currently residing in the greater metropolitan area (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut). The winner of the festival will be awarded $2,000 and a full Equity production in Premiere's 2012 season. The runner-up will receive $750 and an Equity workshop in June; two other writers will receive Staged Readings in March and a cash prize of $500.

Through the uniquely accelerated Play Festival process, Premiere Stages provides an encouraging and focused environment in which playwrights can see their work move quickly from page to stage. Premiere Stages also actively advocates for Festival writers, helps playwrights reach out to other theatres to secure subsequent productions, and partners with other organizations and theatres to extend the profile and life of the works developed.

"What makes Premiere unique is that we fast track plays from a sit-down reading to a fully staged production within a few short months, keeping highly topical plays relevant while affording playwrights the benefit of retaining the world premiere rights," stated John Wooten, Producing Artistic Director of Premiere Stages. "Second productions of new plays are extremely rare, and demanding the 'world premiere' brand often stops a play dead in its tracks."

In its seven seasons, Play Festival has developed over twenty-five plays. Most recent works include the 2011 hit Follow Me to Nellie's by Dominique Morisseau, starring Lynda Gravatt (stage and screen veteran, television's Law and Order), James Christy's Egyptian Song (2011 Runner-Up and a current National New Play Network nominee), and 2010 winner The Good Counselor by Kathryn Grant, which was named as the runner up for the prestigious 2011 American Theatre Critics Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award.

All entries are evaluated by a panel of theatre professionals in consultation with the Artistic Director and Resident Dramaturg. Agents may submit full scripts; playwrights may submit a synopsis and script sample directly. Postmark deadline is January 15, 2012. No entry fee. Complete submission guidelines available at www.kean.edu/premierestages.

Premiere Stages is a member, Actors' Equity Association, and is made possible in part through funding from The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Northfield Bank Foundation, The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and through the generous support of individual patrons.

Premiere Stages offers affordable prices, air-conditioned facilities, free parking close to the theatre and discounted tickets to patrons with disabilities. All Premiere Stages facilities are fully accessible spaces. Please call for a list of sign-interpreted, audio-described or open-captioned performances. Assistive listening devices and large print programs are available at all times. Publications are available with advanced notice in alternate formats.