New Play Project Extended to Sept. 30

The Reston Community Players have extended the deadline for the second season of the New Play Project.

Aspiring playwrights now have until Sept. 30 to submit original works to RCP for a chance to have the work staged at CenterStage Theater at The Reston Community Center.

The  Players welcome new, unpublished scripts for development and presentation, says Rick Schneider, RCP executive producer.

What sets this program apart is it is not a competition. There is no "winner," says Schneider. RCP works with authors on an ongoing, longterm basis, providing many avenues to further develop, says Schneider.

The typical RCP productions are mainstream musicals and plays, but the New Play Project has no such limitations. They are interested in musicals, dramas, mysteries and plays that demonstrate a lot of originality.

"We encourage authors to think outside the box," he said. "Last year, we got plenty that were indeed outside the box. It has to be a play that can be staged, though. I read one that James Cameron couldn't even make into a movie it was so complicated."

Last season, the New Play Project's inaugural one, the project received submissions from 143 authors, says Schneider. He said he was surprised to receive manuscripts from all over the country. The New Play Project picked 10 finalists for stage readings.

The New Play Project is in the process of narrowing the last year's 10 finalists to five. Those five will participate in a more staged reading. The field will be narrowed to three for a rehersal hall reading. Finally, one script will be chosen for a full production with the Reston Community Players.

Meanwhile, the group will begin reading scripts for the second year of the New Play Project. The original deadline was in July, but administrative issues lead to delays, Schneider says.

Readings are open to the public, which gives authors a chance for feedback.

Schneider stresses several factors that set the New Play Project apart. There is no submission fee, the author has no production costs, and a royalty will be paid each time the work appears in front of an audience.

For specific submission information, visit www.restonplayers.org.