musical theatre writers' resource center NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING CONTEST DEADLINES

• Harvard University Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Fellowships (September 13)
  https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/radcliffe-fellowship/become-a-fellow
• Harold Morton Landon Translation Award (September 15)
  https://www.poets.org/academy-american-poets/prizes/harold-morton-landon-translation-award
• Alfred Hodder Fellowship Princeton University (September 15)
  http://arts.princeton.edu/fellowships/hodder-fellowship/
• Left Coast Chamber Ensemble Composition Award (September 15)
  http://www.leftcoastensemble.org/intersection/
• John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation (September 16)
  https://www.gf.org/how-to-apply/
• Princeton Fellowships in the Creative and Performing Arts (September 20)
  http://arts.princeton.edu/fellowships/
• Charles M. Getchell Award, SETC (September 30)
  http://www.setc.org/getchell-new-play-contest
• Clauder Competition for New England Playwrights (September 30)
  https://www.portlandstage.org/script-submissions/
• George Bennett Fellowship (September 30)
  https://www.exeter.edu/about-us/career-opportunities/fellowships/writer-residence-george-bennett-fellowship
• City Theatre National Award for Short Playwriting Contest (September 30)
  https://www.citytheatre.com/for-submissions

*** Visit the RESOURCE CENTER to see the full listings ***

SAMPLE PUBLIC DOMAIN IDEAS

EXCERPT:

The old man stood a moment, shaken. His pulpy brain worked dimly toward the conception of the pain that was consuming him. “Whose dog–” that man had asked–and he hadn’t meant to help it–“whose dog!” They could do it–tie up a dog to drown in sight of people–like that–cruel. He saw the policeman coming toward him again. In a sudden frenzy he clutched his tattered garments about him and began to run, to run toward the end of the pier.

The boys raced after him. “What yer gonter do?” they shouted. “What yer gonter do?”

The old man turned and looked at them a moment with twitching features. “I’m gonter die,” he said.

“Come on, you fellers–come on–the drunk’s gonter dive–come on–he’s cryin’!”

COMMENTS:

There are not many events, but there’s a very interesting, dark premise here about an old man about to drown himself.

EXCERPT:

“Your majesty, we have thought of a way to restore your kingdom to its former power and magnificence.”

“All right,” replied his majesty, carelessly. “How will you do it?”

“By marrying you to a lady of great wealth,” replied the counselor.

“Marrying me!” cried the king. “Why, I am only ten years old!”

EXCERPT:

An Eagle was once captured by a Man, who clipped his wings and put him in the poultry yard, along with the chickens. The Eagle was much depressed in spirits by the change.

COMMENTS:

Sardonic. Cynical. Fun.

EXCERPT:

Once on a time there was a man who had three sons, Peter, Paul, and John. John was Boots, of course, because he was the youngest. I can’t say the man had anything more than these three sons, for he hadn’t one penny to rub against another; and so he told his sons over and over again they must go out into the world and try to earn their bread, for there at home there was nothing to be looked for but starving to death.

EXCERPT:

[BILL picks up a body under the arms.]

THE TOFF. That’s right, Bill. [Does the same.] Come and help us, Sniggers…. [SNIGGERS comes.] Keep low, keep low. Wave their arms about, Sniggers. Don’t show yourself. Now, Albert, over you go. Our Albert is slain. Back you get, Bill. Back, Sniggers. Still, Albert. Mustn’t move when he comes. Not a muscle. [A face appears at the window and stays for some time. Then the door opens and, looking craftily round, the third Priest enters. He looks at his companions’ bodies and turns round. He suspects something. He takes up one of the knives and with a knife in each hand he puts his back to the wall. He looks to the left and right.]

THE TOFF. Come on, Bill. [The Priest rushes to the door. THE TOFF knifes the last Priest from behind.]

THE TOFF. A good day’s work, my friends.

BILL. Well done, Toffy. Oh, you are a deep one!

ALBERT. A deep one if ever there was one.

SNIGGERS. There ain’t any more, Bill, are there?

THE TOFF. No more in the world, my friend.

*** Visit the PUBLIC DOMAIN IDEAS to see the complete stories ***