Competition Overview
The Elite Theatre Company's 2012 One-Act Play Competition offers playwrights the opportunity to submit for judging up to 5 one-act plays with a running time of no more than 30 minutes. There will be up to 5 winners; each winner will have their one-act play(s) produced on stage at The Elite Theatre Company's Petit Playhouse in January 2013, for a four-week run (up to 12 performances).

In addition, cash prizes will be awarded as follows:

1st Place: $350.00
2nd Place: $175.00
3rd Place: $100.00
4th Place: $ 75.00
5th Place: $ 50.00

Judging Fee
The Judging Fee is:

• $25 for each one-act play submitted to the competition for judging by February 29, 2012;
• $35 for each play submitted March 1 through April 30, 2012; and
• $50 for each play submitted after April 30, 2012.

Playwrights may submit up to five (5) one-act plays with a Judging Fee for each submission.

Script Submission Rules
No simultaneous submissions will be considered for judging or production. To be accepted into the competition, one-act play scripts must:

1. Be original, unproduced and unpublished;
2. Be written in generally accepted play script format;
3. Have a running time of not more than 30 minutes (under 20 minutes is recommended);
4. Be a comedy, drama, mystery, thriller or a monologue (no musicals or children's plays will be accepted);
5. Be written
   • In black ink;
   • On plain, white 8 ½ x 11 paper;
   • In Times New Roman or Arial font;
   • In 12-point type;
   • With a title page that includes the playwright's name, address, phone number, and email address; and
   • Each page following the cover page numbered and bearing the title of the play as a header or footer.
   
   
6. Be fastened with a paper clip only; do not staple, bind or put in any folder.
7. Be received between January 17 and July 13, 2012, at The Elite Theatre Company, 730 S. "B" Street, Suite 20, Oxnard, CA 93030. No faxed or e-mailed submissions will be accepted.

Scripts not in compliance will not be accepted for judging and will not be returned; the Judging Fee will be refunded. All script submissions to the competition must be accompanied by a Judging Fee (check, money order or cashier's check only); scripts with no Judging Fee will not be considered for the competition or returned. Scripts will not be returned to the playwright even if they are accepted into the competition or produced. Playwrights who provide an email address will be notified when their script and Judging Fee has been received.

Because of the limited size of the Petit Playhouse stage and wings, it is recommended that the play have single or unit sets; no more than eight (8) characters; and not require complicated costuming, sets, props or special effects. These are recommendations only and will not disqualify a play from the competition.

Judging
The judges are comprised of qualified playwrights, theatrical directors, producers or theater educators. Judges shall have sole discretion over the manner in which the plays are judged, and their determination of the winners will be final

Winner Notification
Winners of the competition shall be notified by email or mail of their prize by September 30, 2012. Cash prizes will be paid before the first performance of the winners' plays. Winners may make minor corrections and changes to their script before rehearsals begin in December 2012. Additional consultations may take place between the winning playwrights, ETC's Artistic Director and Festival Producer before rehearsals and again before performances.

2013 One-Act Festival
The cash prize will be the only compensation for performances of the one-act play. By submitting a script for judging, the playwright gives permission for The Elite Theatre Company to exclusively produce and perform the play in January 2013, if chosen by the judges to be a winner, for up to 12 performances with no additional compensation to the playwright. Playwright agrees to give The Elite Theatre Company the right to produce the play as a World Premiere, and that other performances or staged readings of the play prior to the 2013 One-Act Festival are not permitted and will disqualify the play from production and the cash award.

Determination of the order of plays, directors, and production staff for ETC's 2013 One-Act Festival will be made solely by ETC's Artistic Director and/or Festival Producer. Winning playwrights are encouraged to attend a performance of their play. Two (2) complimentary tickets will be given to each winning playwright to attend any one performance. Additionally, the winners will be invited to an opening night pre-show social. (Transportation and lodging will NOT be provided; each winner will be responsible for his own transportation and lodging.)

ETC Contact
For additional information not covered here, please contact Tom Eubanks at ad@elitetheatre.org.