23 Sep OCTA Announces Return of New Works Playwright Competition

Call for Submissions from KC Area and Kansas Playwrights

Olathe, KS (September 23, 2019)– Olathe Civic Theatre Association (OCTA) is thrilled to announce it will once again host its New Works Playwright Competition for the fourth year in a row. A unique opportunity for local playwrights in the Kansas City Area (Jackson, Clay, Platte, or Cass counties) and Kansas, the competition-style event was a hit with both patrons and participants. The public aspect of the competition is comprised of two events: the finalist performances in March and the Winner Workshop performances in June.

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 where audience members will vote on the teaser they wish to see workshopped as a full play. Only submissions that have not previously been professionally produced will be considered, however scripts previously produced at the KC Fringe Festival will now be considered by the selection committee if the show ran 60 minutes or less in its original format. Playwrights are encouraged to e-mail competition chair, Andrew Joseph Brown, at newworks@olathetheatre.org for clarification.

Brown is thrilled that OCTA will bring back the competition: “We had such an amazing time with the winner last year, Nathan Christensen’s The Giver – A Musical. It was especially exciting, because Nathan informed us that another local theatre wanted to produce this piece. However, Lois Lowry’s agent (book author), literally just sold the musical theatre adaption rights exclusively and in perpetuity. This means that OCTA’s Winner Workshop of Nathan’s musical was the last time he got to see it on stage. I love that OCTA gives this chance to local playwrights. Anything can happen!”

This year’s deadline for submissions is November 15th 2019. The New Works Playwright Competition Finals will be held the weekend of March 6 and 7, 2020. The Winner Workshop will be held June 19th and 20th 2020.

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

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THE 2019-2020 LINEUP:

BRIGHT STAR

Inspired By A True Story

Music, Book and Story by Steve Martin | Music, Lyrics, and Story by Edie Brickell

Directed by Julie Ewing | Music Directed by Ashley Jones

August 30 – September 15, 2019

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the 1920s and ’40s. When Alice Murphy, the brilliant editor of a southern literary journal, meets Billy Cane, a soldier just home from World War II, they discover a powerful secret that alters their lives. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.

THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE

Inspiration for the hit Netflix Original Series!

Adapted for the stage by F. Andrew Leslie from the novel by Shirley Jackson

Directed by Derrick Freeman

October 25 – November 10, 2019

Four “psychically receptive” visitors arrive at the notoriously unfriendly Hill House in order to explore and draw forth the mysterious powers it is alleged to possess. Their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena, but Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own. Get ready to scream out loud at this classic psychological horror story that has both wit and thrills.

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

By William Shakespeare | Directed by David Martin

February 14 – March 1, 2020

Double-meanings, disguises, and dirty laundry abound as Sir John Falstaff sets about improving his financial situation by wooing Mistress Page and Mistress Ford. But the ‘Merry Wives’ quickly catch on to his tricks and decide to have a bit of fun of their own at Falstaff’s expense. A rollicking farce by the great Bard himself!

THE GOD COMMITTEE

By Mark St. Germain | Directed by Nino Casisi

April 3 – 19, 2020

Medicine, money, and morality clash when the heart transplant selection committee of St. Patrick’s Hospital has only minutes to decide which of four patients will receive a heart that has suddenly become available. A cross between Twelve Angry Men and ER, The God Committee takes us into the inner workings of a transplant program and a decision, for both their candidates and their program, which is a matter of life and death.

BIG FISH

Book by John August | Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa

Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture written by John August

Directed by Jessica Franz | Music Directed by Baker Purdon

May 29 – June 14, 2020

Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him – most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to become a father himself, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. …an extraordinary musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre.

SPECIAL EVENTS

OCTA IS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

In loving memory of The Jan Conner Christmas Show

Written by Shelly Stewart Banks and Peter Leondedis

Directed by Shelly Stewart Banks

December 6, 7, 13, 14, 2020

Peter Leondedis and Shelly Stewart Banks are back with an ever-changing cast of talented local performers as they come together to wait for the Spirit of Christmas to arrive and bring a little holiday magic to OCTA!  Each night will include something new and different and you won’t want to miss a thing.  A fun, musical variety show for the whole family!

NEW WORKS PLAYWRIGHT COMPETITION (NWPC)

March 6 & 7, 2020

Which of the five finalists of OCTA’s fourth annual New Works Playwright Competition will get a full-length workshop for their script? You’ll see short teasers of each script, then vote for the winner. Make your voice count and support the local playwriting community at the same time!

NWPC WINNER WORKSHOP

June 19 & 20 2020

Join us for the full-length stage reading of the 2020 New Works Playwright Competition winner. The NWPC Winner Workshop provides a unique opportunity for the winning playwright to workshop their production on the OCTA stage and get feedback from a live audience.