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MU Theatre Adds a Digital Play Reading Series to their 2020-2021 Production Season

 

still from theatre play

 Every 28 Hours play reading, photograph by Taylor Meredith

 

MU Theatre continues to rise to the challenge of producing quality theatre in the face of the pandemic. 

 

The Miami University Department of Theatre (MU Theatre) is trying something new for the Spring semester of their 2020-2021 Production Season. Due to the pandemic, a digital play reading series will take the place of one of their traditional stage productions. The series is open to playwrights and directors interested in working with undergraduate students to share their professional experience and expertise in giving voice to new plays.

Students in the theatre program learn from experience while producing award-winning live theatre. Producing live theatre can be challenging when performances and gatherings are limited or canceled due to public health concerns. The new digital play reading series will join spring’s digital Independent Artist Series and a site-specific immersive outdoor performance series about climate change as further examples of how MU Theatre is "meeting disruption with innovation," the tag line of their Fall 2020 Digital Fringe Festival. The department has also presented their production of Comedy of Errors as a web series and live-streamed a stage production of Blood Sisters

MU Theatre is looking for new or not widely produced scripts that provide a unique perspective on our contemporary moment, shine a light on injustice, and share stories from underrepresented voices. Julia Guichard, Chair of the Department of Theatre, shared that she hoped "anyone with an exciting project will submit it for consideration! We are encouraging our alumni to submit projects, but also local playwrights/directors. We are looking to create a series that is as provocative and diverse as possible." 

The submissions must be full length (60-120 minutes) and from a director/playwright team. If chosen, each team will be assigned one week in March in which they will rehearse a digital reading of the script, working with a core company of Miami students and guest cast members for specific roles as needed. The week will culminate in a digital reading and talkback for audience members. 

Submission Guidelines

Submissions for each project should be from a director/playwright team. If chosen, each team will be assigned one week in March in which they will rehearse a digital reading of the script, working with a core company of Miami students as well as guest cast members for specific roles as needed. The week will culminate in a digital reading and talkback for audience members.

Additional guidelines:

  • Not open to current Miami students.

  • Rehearsals will be held Monday-Friday from 7:00-10:00pm EST

  • Readings will be Saturday, time TBD

  • Plays must be full length (60-120 minutes).

  • Plays must be new (never produced) or have a very limited production record.

  • Each playwright and director receives a $500 honorarium ($1000 per team) for a one week rehearsal process, attendance at the play reading, and talk back after the reading. 

  • Rehearsal process will be entirely virtual.

To Submit

The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2020

Submissions should be sent to Julia Guichard at  guichajm@miamioh.edu

Please include:

  • Short cover letter including name/contact information and bios for both director and playwright

  • Short synopsis and casting requirements

  • Production record (if applicable)

  • Full text of the play