Competitions and Conferences

Columbus State University Theatre International Playwriting Competition offering the Larry Corse Prize for Playwriting

The Larry Corse Prize for Playwriting was established in 2003 by Dr. Larry Corse, Professor Emeritus of Theatre and English at Clayton State University, to encourage the development and production of new works for the stage.  The 2003 competition was won by Robert Karmon for his play Caliban and Miranda. In 2004, the competition was moved to its new host, CSU's Department of Theatre.  The competition attracts in excess of 300 entries each year from around the world.  The 2004 winning entry was the comedy Seagulls in a Cherry Tree by William Missouri Downs.  Ian Walker received the 2005 award for The Gravedigger's Tango. Kevin Christopher Snipes received the 2006 award for The Chimes.   CSU produced the World Premier of this winning entry in May 2008.

The Prize: $1,000 and a premiere production by the Columbus State University Department of Theatre

Eligibility: The competition is open to all.

1. A play submitted to the competition should be finished, original, in English, and must not have been previously published or performed (excluding workshop readings). 
2. The play may be either full-length, one-act, or a series of related one-acts, and should have a running time between 45 and 120 minutes.
3. The number of actors needed for the play should be between 5 and 10.

Columbus State University Department of Theatre will have first production rights for the winning play.  The playwright will retain all other rights including copyright, publication, and performance rights.  If for some reason Columbus State University Department of Theatre is not able to produce the winning play during the academic year following the announcement of the winner, first production rights revert to the playwright.  If, in the opinion of the jury, no play worthy of the prize is submitted, Columbus State University Department of Theatre reserves the right to withhold the prize.

Submitting a Play:

The winner of the 2008 competition is FLY OVER LAND by Rhonda Carlson. It will receive a full, world-premiere production in June, 2009. The competition is currently on an "alternate year" schedule, with the next competition slated to begin receiving entries in 2010. PLEASE DO NOT SEND SUBMISSIONS UNTIL AN OPENING AND DEADLINE DATE IS POSTED ON THIS SITE. FLY OVER LAND information.

1. Because the play will be submitted to the juries anonymously, the author's name should not appear on any page of the play.
2. Plays should be submitted with a cover sheet containing the following information:
   1. Author's name
   2. Author’s address
   3. Title of play
   4. Author's phone number and e-mail address
   5. A signed statement that the play has not been previously produced or published
3. Each play must also include a synopsis of the play which is a real synopsis and not a teaser or advertising copy.
4. Plays previously submitted to the competition may not be re-submitted unless major revision has taken place.
5. Address for submission:
   Columbus State University International Playwriting Competition #324
   931 Monroe Drive NE, Suite A-102
   Atlanta, GA USA 30308

The copies of the plays submitted will not be returned.  Please do not send "one and only" originals.

The plays will initially be read by theater professionals.  Finalists will then be submitted to the theatre faculty of Columbus State University for final judging. 

The winning playwright may be invited to come to Columbus State University for a lecture or workshop immediately prior to the production.

For more information, contact Steve Graver, Department of Theatre, Columbus State University, at graver_steven@colstate.edu or by writing to the address noted for submission.

Please do not send submissions directly to Columbus State University as they will only be remailed.

Conferences

You can meet faculty face-to-face, view our display, and pick up an information packet at:

Georgia Theatre Conference - October 2009
at Columbus State University
http://www.georgiatheatreconference.com/

Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival - February 2010
http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/actf/

Georgia Thespian Conference - February 2010 http://www.gathespians.org/

Southeastern Theatre Conference - March 2010 http://www.setc.org/

U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology - March 2010 http://www.usitt.org/index.html