An important part of the Playhouse mission statement is the fostering and development of new plays with the hope that they may go on to become part of the Canadian Theatrical canon and enrich the country’s theatre scene. Associate Artistic Director Kathryn MacKay reads and considers all plays which are submitted to the Playhouse. A few of the most promising are selected for further readings and workshops by the acting company and artistic staff, with a view to assisting the playwright further develop their work. Some of these plays have been produced at the Playhouse before going on to be produced in theatres across the country. Mo Bock’s Quarry and Dekker’s Last Stand, and Douglas Bowie’s Rope’s End and Till It Hurts are examples of plays which were developed and first produced by the Playhouse.In the fall of 2009, after a week of intensive workshops and rehearsing, the Playhouse also presented a concert version of Barb Dwyre, a new musical by Resident Musical Director Sandy Thorburn and Rosemary Doyle. This will hopefully be the first in a long line of new Canadian musicals which the Playhouse will help to nurture and develop. 

Criteria    

Recommendations to the Theatre Creators’ Reserve Grant will be based on a positive assessment of the following:  

1)      Interest of the Work: the submitted work should demonstrate a creative approach to a particular idea or theme OR an innovative approach to conventional modes of theatrical expression. It is of particular interest to us, but not necessary, if the piece originates in this region, explores the history of the region or deals with themes that are relevant to this community. Explorations of style or structure should emanate from an artistic imperative and playwrights should demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and commitment to the ideas and themes contained in the work.  

2)      Stage of Completion: The work submitted should have reached the stage where the quality of the writing and the interest of the work can be judged. Ideally, a first draft, first act or a very comprehensive outline has been written, and the artist is seeking money to take that draft to the next stage. The work should not be seen as ‘finished’ or ready for production and must require further development by the artist.  

Procedure
All submissions will be read by Kathryn MacKay as they are received. They will be judged according to the criteria and if it is felt they are worthy of support, they will be placed in a queue with the other worthy candidates and reviewed on or around the deadline date of January 31, 2011. If the submission is a musical, it will also be read by our Resident Musical Director Sandy Thorburn. 

For further information please contact Kathryn MacKay at Kathryn@1000islandsplayhouse.com or 613-382-7086 x 22  
Please submit scripts to:
New Play Development
Thousand Islands Playhouse
Box 241, Gananoque, ON
K7G 2T8
Do not submit scripts electronically.