Miami Acting Company Playwriting Competition

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Miami Acting Company (MAC) is looking for new original work, which we will produce. We know how much local talent we have in our community and would love to highlight that talent. Below are the rules and guidelines of the playwriting contest. We are open to all stories and encourage inclusion, diversity, and representation. 

• Entry Period: October 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
• Winning Play Announced: February 2025
• Performance Dates: TBD

• All plays submitted must be in English.
• All plays must have at least 4 speaking characters and all characters must be at least 16 years of age. 
• All genres (drama, comedy, tragedy, farce, etc.) will be considered.
• Plays should be able to be performed with minimal props, sets, scene changes or technical requirements. Plays with large grandiose sets or extravagant costumes are strongly discouraged.
• The play must not have been optioned, sold, had any previous production, or be scheduled to have a production (amateur or professional). Applicants must notify MAC of any changes in status following submission.
• All applicants must complete the registration form on MAC’s website, attach a PDF of the play, and pay the appropriate entry fee of $25.00 per play. Once the completed registration form and PDF of the play have been received, the applicant will receive an email with details on how to submit payment of the $25 entry fee via Zelle to director@miamiactingco.org
• Title of play must be in "Message to Recipient" section on Zelle payment screen. Submissions are not considered complete and eligible until completed registration form, PDF of play, and payment have all been received and verified. 
• Applicants may submit more than one play. Maximum of 3 submissions per applicant. A separate registration form must be completed and a separate entry fee must be paid for each play submitted.
• MAC reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
• Only two-act plays, original or adapted, will be accepted. Musicals, children’s plays, screenplays will not be considered.
• Only complete registration forms will be accepted. Submissions sent using any other method than the one outlined above will not be accepted.
• Submissions will only be accepted between October 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.

• If submitting an adapted work, it must be based on material that is in the public domain. Any adapted work based on material NOT in the public domain will not be accepted. If work is adapted, it must be noted on your registration form.
• Plays must be the original work of the applicant. If based upon a real person’s life, applicant must secure rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to MAC at the time of submission. By entering the competition, applicant is acknowledging that they have secured all necessary rights. If said play is selected, applicant will be required to submit proof that they have secured adaptation rights prior to the beginning of any production. If it is determined necessary rights have not been secured, said play will be disqualified. 
• By submitting the material, the applicant hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend MAC, its volunteers, employees, directors, representatives, and affiliates from any liability, claims, and damages in connection with the submission and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.
• By submitting the play, completing the registration form and paying the fee, the applicant hereby agrees to grant MAC the full rights to produce the play at no cost to MAC. Once the production is complete, MAC no longer has rights to produce the play unless otherwise agreed upon by MAC and winning playwright. MAC retains all ownership of anything related to its production of the winning play, including, but not limited to props, costumes, set pieces, artwork, graphics, photos, videos, social media posts, etc.

• No revisions or missing pages will be accepted once entry has been received.
• Awards are based solely on the overall merit of entries. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award.
• We strongly suggest that applicants copyright their plays with the US Copyright Office before submitting.

• DG Modern Play format is required, including character descriptions, setting, and stage directions. Please refer to https://www.dramatistsguild.com/script-formats 
• Plays must be submitted in PDF format.
• Preferred font type is Times New Roman. Font size must be 12 point.
• Preferred page length is around 60 – 90 pages. Plays will not be disqualified if the page length does not fit these parameters as long as it could reasonably be performed within 90 minutes on stage.
• Pages must be numbered.
• Only the TITLE of the play should appear on the front cover page.
• A second title page should have a Character Breakdown. Include age and gender of each character. The breakdown should not exceed one page.

• MAC has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of readers or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted material; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.
• Except as explicitly stated, no representations or guarantees are made regarding the feedback or comments provided, or the quality thereof. The opinions of the readers are their own and do not reflect the opinions of MAC. MAC explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by MAC or by its volunteers.
• Winner (and runner up) will be announced in February 2025. The judges’ decision is final. If for some reason, the winning play cannot be produced, the runner up play will be produced in its place.
• Winning play will be produced by MAC. MAC’s Artistic Director will direct the winning play. The play will be performed as written, however all creative decisions as they relate to casting, lighting, set, costumes, etc will be made by the Director.

• Online submissions will receive a confirmation email.
• Winner and runner-up will be contacted via email by February 1, 2025.
• Terms subject to change.