KCACTF Region IV

DIRECTING: NEW PLAY PROGRAM (NPP)

DIRECTING INITIATIVES | NEW PLAY PROGRAM (NPP) | SDC FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

All required materials should be emailed no later than DECEMBER 5, 2010 to Dewey Scott-Wiley at deweyw@usca.edu

The primary goal of the New Play Program (NPP) Festival Readings is to provide the playwright with an opportunity to learn about their craft by experiencing their literature using skilled directors who have demonstrated success and interest in working with new plays. While directors are an important part of this process, directing for NPP readings is not designed as a competition for directing and readings should never serve as a showcase for directors. Rather, the focus should remain on bringing to life the new work of student playwrights.

Ten Minute Play Festival Directing - - a regional award program designed to support the work of student playwrights and directors. Up to six student directors are chosen for this project on the basis of experience and faculty recommendations. These student directors will hold auditions at the festival and work with the student playwright and actors to produce a staged reading, informed in presentation format by Actors' Equity Association guidelines, of the new script. A cash award will be given to a selected student director.

Eligibility:
- Nominees may be from two-year schools, four-year schools, or graduate programs. However, experience in directing is required.
- Students must have completed at least one college-level course in directing.
- It will be considered an advantage if a nominated student director has any experience working with new scripts, and/or if they have directed a KCACTF associate or participating entry which has received positive recognition.

Application: Faculty nomination of students is strongly encouraged. If you are nominating a student director to participate and to be considered for the Region IV NPP Directing programs, please send the following materials:

	- A LETTER OF NOMINATION from a faculty member clearly detailing the directing accomplishments and potential of the student. Be sure your nomination details your participation, the student nominee's participation, and your institution's participation, in KCACTF activities. Please also note the student's experience in working with new plays, especially that as director.
	- A LETTER OF APPLICATION from the student, which includes why the student is interested in participating in this program and the ways in which they believe it may contribute to their growth as a director.
	- A COMPLETE RESUME for the student nominee, including contact information (phone and email).
	- All required materials should be postmarked or emailed no later than DECEMBER 5, 2010 to Dewey Scott-Wiley at deweyw@usca.edu.

Acceptance: Applicants will be notified by email about their acceptance status on DECEMBER 17, 2010 (following the Regional Selection Team meeting).

NEW PLAY PROGRAM (NPP) FESTIVAL DIRECTING GUIDELINES

Brief Overview:
Up to six student directors will be selected from the region to direct the student-written plays in the Ten-Minute Play Festival. These student directors will hold auditions at the festival and work with the playwright and actors to produce a staged reading of the new script.

Details for Participants:
Once accepted, directors will be given the names and contact information for selected playwrights. Directors and playwrights will communicate to exchange script and ideas in advance of the festival. At the regional festival, directors must participate in an open audition session (Wednesday morning) along with other NPP directors and they must cast the reading from these auditions. Directors may not use actors from their own school. During the week, directors are assigned a stage manager who will assist in the coordination of the rehearsal process. In general, each play will be assigned one or two rehearsal periods per day in preparation for the staged reading on Saturday. The focus should be on the development of the new work rather than on technical elements and staging. Format of Readings: All readings will be informed by Actor's Equity Association guidelines for the presentation of new play readings. In general, readers must use music stands, must follow written scripts, and only minimal staging is allowed. No sound or light cues and no props or costumes are allowed.

Required Workshop & Mentorship:
An outside director who has demonstrated success in directing readings will workshop ALL OF THE DIRECTORS in the process of preparing a scene for a reading presentation. The event is to be considered an educational experience so directors and playwrights have an opportunity to learn how a reading works. In addition, directors will be assigned a directing mentor who will observe their process and provide feedback throughout the week.