COVID-19 left you with some time? Write a play or a song
Writers, pens at the ready. With people self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic, several arts groups are looking for writers. And, after all, in most cases, writing is a solitary activity.
In all cases, the writing-based initiatives are open to all; no experience required, as they say.
Playwrights’ Round Table has a challenge for speedy writers. The Orlandobased collective is staging a 10-day, start-tofinish, mini-play festival.
On Wednesday, the PRT issued a call for scripts for its “Connected Voices” event. The scripts should be 5-10 pages long so the plays run 5-10 minutes. Here’s the catch: The finished play must be submitted to submissions@theprt.com no later than 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
On Monday, the chosen plays will be announced, and they will be read at 8 p.m. April 11 on the Playwrights’ Round Table Facebook page with a cast of local actors.
Aspiring playwrights, take note: Submissions must address the theme of “Connected Voices” and how that pertains to experiences in the current pandemic. The guidelines are very clear that personal and authentic stories are wanted, not end-ofthe-world or other doomsday scenarios.
For more information, email info@theprt.com.
Meanwhile, Central Florida Community Arts also has a playwriting program in progress. “Time to Write: A Challenge for Playwrights” is running through April 24.
“In troubling times, art can be a great comfort to many. For artists, it is also a responsibility,” states the Orlando nonprofit’s website. “We believe that trying times can and should promote an avalanche of new work, filled with new and varying perspectives and ideas.”
This project seeks works written during the pandemic — nothing started before March 24. The plays can be of any length and do not have to be related to the current situation with COVID-19. Scripts should be emailed in pdf form to theatre@cfcarts.com by April 24. They will then be reviewed by a team led by CFCArts theater director Donald Rupe, himself a playwright.
Some of the plays will be chosen for online readings, and at least one will be fully produced by Central Florida Community Arts in an upcoming season. To get all the details, go to cfcarts.com/timetowrite.
Finally, if you don’t have a complete play in you but your heart is full of the sound of music, perhaps you’d like to try your hand at songwriting. The Garden Theatre is running a songwriting challenge through April 8.
The Winter Garden theater is looking for an original song, not written before March 1. If it is a standalone song, composers will be asked to provide information on what inspired the piece. If the song is part of a musical, a brief synopsis of the show will be required.
Each entry will be judged by music professionals, and the top five will be recorded and shared by the Garden as part of an upcoming online cabaret.
Recorded submissions must be emailed to songwriting@gardentheatre.org by noon Wednesday. For full details, go to gardentheatre.org/songwriting.
Find me on Twitter @matt_on_arts or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Want more theater and arts news and reviews? Go to orlandosentinel.com/arts.