PLAYS FOR THE YOUNG | Playmarket

THE DEADLINE FOR 2012 is 31 JULY.

Congratulations to our 2011 Winner:

Joey Moncarz, for his play ANOTHER STUPID WALL

Another Stupid Wall is a comedic exploration of the obstacles young people face as they inherit a problem-filled world from previous generations. A Palestinian brother and sister sneak into Israel to seek revenge on a Jewish-owned bakery which, according to a family rumour, was originally owned by their great grandparents. Posing as Kiwi tourists, the two become involved in the life of the Jewish family now running the bakery, and life for everyone is forever changed as they get swept up by romance, make-overs, and fresh bread.

Congratulations also to 3 plays that have received Special Mention

KICK YA SWAG by Ana Notoa & Lesa'e Tagamoa

I'VE GOT A DINOSAUR IN MY BACK YARD by Kath Bee & Gaelynne Pound

FOR JOHNNY by Whiti Hereaka.

NB:- if you would like to read any of these plays, or any others on the short list (see below), please contact Jean for a perusal copy.

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Playmarket is putting a special effort into gathering and co-ordinating the best of all plays that fall into this category, from adaptations of fairy tales for tiny children, to plays written by teachers especially for the classroom, to the most searing explorations of adolescence written by teenagers themselves. We want to encourage strong, original and inventive writing for young people both from those new to writing for the young, and the experienced. This is the third year of the competition.

We have been asked to send the best of this year's submissions to a prestigious London based producer of plays for young people, for consideration for circulation around schools in the UK - an extra incentive to send us your best work.

Entrance requirements

Open to any New Zealand citizen/permanent resident of any age.
Produced and unproduced plays are eligible.
Scripts may only be submitted to this competition ONCE.
There are no limits on length, or cast size.
You may submit as many as you like.

How to submit

Email your submission to Scripts with the attached submission form: HOWEVER -

If you have difficulty downloading the submission form, all you have to do is ensure you include with your script:-

a list of characters with brief description
a brief synopsis
confirmation that you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
confirmation that the play is all your own original work
AND - please ensure the pages are numbered.

PRIZE

The winners will be offered some script development resources, as appropriate, and all plays that make the short list are eligible to be entered into our Script Register, making them available for circulation to potential producers. Should anyone want to license your play, we will offer to negotiate the licence for you. You will also receive a set of this year's Playmarket Series publications of plays, and an award to be presented at a function at the end of the year.

For all queries anytime contact Jean

PAST WINNERS

2011

WINNER - Joey Moncarz, Another Stupid Wall

SPECIAL MENTION - Ana Notoa & Lesa'e Tagamoa, Kick Ya Swag; Whiti Hereaka, For Johnny; Kath Bee & Gaelynne Pound, I've got a Dinosaur in My Back Yard.

Shortlisted were:- Ben Anderson, Dale Hendry, Isla Adamson & Josephine Stewart-TeWhiu, Kate Morris, Matthew Arrowsmith, Michelanne Forster & Leilani Unasa, Robert Gilbert, Stevie Wildewood and Thomas Sainsbury.

2010

FIRST - Richard Finn, What Do You Say After You Say Hello? and Jukebox Heroes.

RUNNER UP - Philppa Werry, Boss of the Beach

SPECIAL MENTION; plays especially suitable for schools:- Claire Ahuriri, Spilt Milk, and Claire Bubb, Threads.

Others on the short list were:- Naomi Bartley, Richard Finn, Robert Gilbert, Kevin Keys, Stephen Lunt, David Riley and Nic Sampson.

2009

FIRST - Sarah Delahunty, 2b or nt 2b

RUNNERS UP - Hollie Sutton, Made in NZ; Sarah Delahunty, Eating the Wolf

SPECIAL MENTION - Angie Farrow, Ken Mizusawa, Renee Boyer-Willisson and Greg Cooper.