Afew ‘Arts for essential workers’ is a wonderful initiative that brings a new form of interactive theatre to essential workers. Afew encourages dialogue and inspire human connection between the world of the arts and those who quietly contribute so much to society. Through their diverse artistic performances, they campaign for equality in performance arts.
When founder, Nelson McMillan, contacted me to be a guest judge for their writing competition, I was delighted to be part of this wonderful project. Afew also has a podcast, which I was interviewed on, which I can best describe as a sort of Desert Island Discs but for art. It’s a wonderful idea and I can’t wait to hear all their interviews. I’ll post details of my interview as soon as it’s live.
For now, here’s the link and here are the writing competition details. If you’re entering, then good luck!
August 2020 Entry
Shortplay Entry
Theme: Teachers and Education
Genres: Comedy/Drama
This is an opportunity to have your writing performed by professional actors while giving back to the essential workers community. The performance will take place live at Arts For Essential Workers (afew) September show on 24 September 2020.
PRIZES:
1st Place: £200.
Shortplay performed publicly by professional actors at afew’s next performance.
Shortplay published by afew publishing house.
Feedback from our guest judge, published writer, Anna Hoghton.
The winner will be invited to our virtual broadcast studio as a special guest on 24 September 2020 to receive their prize and watch their shortplay be performed live with a follow-on interactive panel with the audience.
Your writer profile will be promoted as we offer the winner the opportunity to feature in our podcast: afew Great People.
Keep full rights to your story, including receiving royalties from views and purchases of your work in the future.
Join afew’s alumni artist community.
2nd & 3rd Place:
Shortplay performed publicly by professional actors at afew’s next performance on 24 September 2020.
You will be invited to our virtual broadcast studio as a special guest on 24 September 2020 to receive to watch your shortplay being performed live with a follow-on interactive panel with the audience.
Your writer profile will be promoted in afew’s social media channels.
Keep full rights to your story, including receiving royalties from views and purchases of your work in the future.
Join afew’s alumni artist community.
How afew’s Competition Works & Benefits
The afew shortplay competition is a contest that challenges creative artists globally to write shortplays.
Please submit a scene you’ve written for a shortplay. Dialogue or monologues only. Minimum length 3 minutes, maximum length 6 minutes (five A4 pages maximum per shortplay entry) based on our ‘Teachers & Education’ theme for August and comedy/drama assignment.
You don’t have to be a professional writer to enter. All levels of experience are welcome.
Each writer submits at least one short play by the deadline below.
Each script entered will be read and feedback provided.
The top 3 scripts will be decided by our guest judge, Anna Hoghton.
Key Dates For the Competition
10th August, at 0001 British Summer Time (BST) - Competition open to entries.
23rd August, at 2359 BST - Competition closes.
24th August to 6th September - Judging period.
7th September at 0800 BST - Winner is announced.
24th September at 7pm BST - The top 3 plays are professionally performed.