OCTA Announces New Works Playwright Competition

29 Sep OCTA Announces New Works Playwright Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Charlotte Gilman

913-484-1651 | asgcroc@aol.com

Tickets: www.olathetheatre.org  | Reservations: 913-782-2990 or tickets@olathetheatre.org

OCTA Announces New Works Playwright Competition

Call for Kansas City Area Playwrights and Brand New Works

Olathe, KS (Sept. 22, 2016) – Olathe Civic Theatre Association (OCTA) is thrilled to announce that it will host its first New Works Playwright Competition, a unique new opportunity for local playwrights in the Kansas City Area.

OCTA requests submissions of 10-15 minute teasers of full-length plays from aspiring and established local playwrights. Of these, five finalists will be featured in a showcase where audience members will vote on the teaser they wish to see workshopped as a full play. Only submissions that have not previously been produced will be considered.

When asked why OCTA has established this competition, board member and competition organizer Andrew Joseph Brown said, “As a playwright myself, I noticed there were no other opportunities quite like this based in southwestern Johnson County. Since OCTA seeks to give aspiring artists meaningful opportunities to practice their craft, I felt that we could easily lend a stage where local playwrights can be heard.”

The submission deadline is November 25 and the New Works Playwright Competition will be held March 10-11. Details can be found at http://olathetheatre.org/call-for-kansas-city-playwrights-and-brand-new-works.

About Olathe Civic Theatre Association

Olathe Civic Theatre Association is a 501c3 organization producing theatre in Olathe since 1974. Performing in the Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse, OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theatre productions a year. Through the generosity of volunteers, season ticket holders, donors, and the City of Olathe, OCTA has grown into one of the most progressive community theaters in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Social and Digital Media

Receive daily updates by ‘liking’ OCTA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/olathecivictheatre and follow OCTA on Twitter at @OCTATheatre.

OCTA’s Remaining 2016-2017 Season at a Glance

One Man, Two Guvnors

October 14 – 30, 2016 |By Richard Bean | Directed by Rick Bumgardner

In this madcap comedy, the permanently ravenous fish-and-chip eating Francis Henshall finds himself working for both a gangster and a criminal in hiding, both of whom are linked in a web of schemes, extortions, and romantic associations. To prevent discovery, Francis must do everything he can to keep his two “guv’nors” apart.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

December 2 – 18, 2016 | By Barbara Robinson | Directed by Lana Jensen

The beloved Young Adult book of the same name comes to life in this hilarious Christmas classic. A couple struggles to put on a church Christmas pageant but they are faced with casting the Herdman kids -probably the most inventively awful kids in history. The Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on for nonstop laughs.

Poor Relations

February 17 – March 5, 2017 | By Robert Flaherty Hart | Directed by Tina Morrison

This original play by Kansas City native Robert Flaherty Hart takes place in suburban St. Louis, where decades-old secrets are uncovered as three adult siblings navigate their changing relationships and uncertain futures. When one of the three comes into a substantial fortune, will it soothe old wounds and lead to forgiveness or drive a permanent wedge into already shaky bonds?

New Works Playwright Competition (Special Event)

March 10 – 11, 2017

See 10-15 minute teasers of five plays written by local playwrights. Vote on the one you’d like to see workshopped as a full-length play on the OCTA stage!

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

April 21 – May 7, 2017 | By Christopher Durang | Directed by Nino Casisi

Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Adding to the ensemble are sassy maid Cassandra, who can predict the future, and Nina, a lovely young aspiring actress.

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Please direct all media inquiries to:  Charlotte Gilman at 913-484-1651 (cell) or asgcroc@aol.com.

For further information or tickets, please visit our Web site at www.olathetheatre.org.

Reservations can be made by calling the reservation hotline at 913-782-2990 or by writing tickets@olathetheatre.org.