Each winter and spring, Dorset Theatre Festival teaches playwriting residencies in the many regional high schools and middle schools that participate in the Jean E. This year, these students are under the guidance of playwright Nick Gandiello. Participating student writers also take advantage of feedback from Bennington College mentors as they write and re-write their play drafts prior to submission to the Competition. Winners are chosen by a panel of nationally recognized playwrights, and the winning plays will have a staged reading performed at the Playhouse in Fall 2017. Their teachers, family and community come together to hear these readings as the Dorset Theatre Festival community celebrates these brand new plays and the young writers who made them possible! Program Timeline:
MARCH/APRIL: Middle school and high school in-class residency workshops with an established playwright/educator. Workshops offer an introduction to the playwriting process, writing prompts, and exercises. Participating schools may choose the date and times for their workshops. APRIL/MAY: Advanced playwriting students from Bennington College mentor, coach, and prepare draft deadlines for all participating students online. END OF MAY: Students submit their finished 10-page plays. SUMMER: Nationally renowned playwrights read and review all submissions. Judges include writers from NYC's Lark New Play Development Center and Primary Stages. SEPTEMBER: Winners are announced and a public reading of the winning works is held. For more information or to sign up for a school residency, contact Dorset Theatre Festival at (802) 867-2223 or email [email protected]
Homeschoolers are encouraged to participate in the competition and workshops via a supplementary "The Play's the Thing" packet.
