Iowa Thespian Festival

PlayWorks

Iowa Thespian PlayWorks

Iowa Thespians is proud to present the third annual Iowa Thespian PlayWorks. Any Thespian from the state of Iowa is eligible to submit a play for Iowa PlayWorks. There are two components to the PlayWorks program:
  • Playwriting
  • All-State Staged Reading

If you have any questions, contact PlayWorks coordinator Alan Strait at alan.strait@lewiscentral.org
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PLAYWRITING INFORMATION
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If you are interested in writing a play for the Iowa Thespian PlayWorks program, please check out the information below. 
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Who can submit?  
  • Any active Thespian from the state of Iowa can submit ONE play for Iowa PlayWorks.
  • There is no limit to the number of students who can submit a play from each school.
  • This event is separate from the Playwriting category of the International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys) program. However, writers may submit the same script for the Thespy Awards 
  • If your script is selected to perform as part of the All-State Staged Reading, playwrights are expected to attend and participate at the Iowa Thespian Festival 

SCRIPT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: June 15, 2022

Process
  1. Write a one-act play.  A one-act play for PlayWorks should be between 10-30 minutes. One page often translates to one minute, but is not an exact measurement.
  2. Make sure the play is formatted in a similar way to this example: Playwriting Format
  3. Submit your play via the form below by June 15, 2022
  4. The plays will be read by a panel of judges and feedback will be provided for the play. Winners will be announced by July 1, 2022

Script Selection
Theatre professionals will review and critique all play submissions. Based on adjudicator scores, up to two scripts will be selected to be performed in a staged reading with an All-State cast on the Gallagher-Bluedorn stage at the festival. 

Staged Reading
An All-State cast will be selected based on the character needs of the chosen play(s). Playwrights will have an opportunity to work with the director and cast members during a virtual read-thru prior to festival. At festival, playwrights will assist the director in the rehearsal process with the actors before the performance on the Gallagher-Bluedorn stage. 

Staged Reading Process
  • The student playwright will workshop the selected script(s) with theatre professionals
  • Auditions will be announced at the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day
  • Audition submissions will be due by September 1
  • A virtual rehearsal(s) will be held prior to festival for the student playwright to work with the staged reading creative team and actors
  • At festival, the student playwright will participate in the in-person staged reading rehearsal. 
  • The student playwright will be honored during the All-State Staged Reading on the Gallagher-Bluedorn stage
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ALL-STATE STAGED READING INFORMATION

​Prior to festival, a cast of student actors from around the state will be selected to participate in the festival performance. During festival, the selected actors will work with a theatre professional to prepare for the performance. The staged reading will be performed for the full festival delegation on the Saturday of festival.
 
INFORMATION ON THE ALL-STATE STAGED READING WILL BE RELEASED IN AUGUST

Festival Quick Links
IOWA THESPIANS
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Our mission is to honor student achievement in theatre and enrich the educational experience, to support educators by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition, and to influence public opinion and policy-makers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills.
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We are passionate about theatre education and believe all students should have access to theatre curriculum which provides critical life skills for educational and career success in the 21st century.

Questions? Contact our Chapter Director Lynn Jensen at jensenlynna@gmail.com