READERS (THOSE WHO RANK) FOR THE COMPETITION TRACK – FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES
- Scripts are first submitted by playwrights to newplaywrights@villagerstheatre.org
- The Producer will select a team to read and rank the submitted plays.
- Readers will be given access to a Google Drive folder, where a Google Sheet named “WHO WILL READ WHAT SCRIPTS” will have three tabs:
- Reader Names = The names of our volunteer readers.
- Reader Selections = The name of the Playwright, their Play Title, and Reader Name columns. When you agree to read a play, please put your name in a new column, next to the Play title that you’re reading.
- Reader Rankings = After you’re finished reading, please rank the play using the method below.
- Sub-folders under the main New Playwrights folder, will be created for each play submitted. Each sub-folder will include a Play Summary created by the playwright, plus the play itself.
- Ideally every play will be read and ranked by at least TWO readers. However readers can read other plays, but we do not need more than the 2 rankings for each play.
- After a reader is finished with a play, they should rank it using the following method: Rank each question, for the play you have read. 1 being lowest, 5 being highest:
- Good/Engaging Story = does the play and storyline keep you interested?
- Originality = is it a unique story idea?
- Point of View/Intent = does the playwrights overall Point of View/Intent seem clear, even if you don’t agree with it?
- Character Development = are the characters interesting with good identities where needed?
- Cohesive Sequence/Narrative Flow = does the play flow well, or does the structure seem a mess?
- Rising Action/Climax = does each scene and Act build upon the other, do you want to know what happens next?
- Set Design = does the set design or implied design seem like it would work well for community theater?
- Stage Directions = are understandable stage directions included and helpful to convey intention?
- Possible Actor Draw = will actors likely be interested in playing these parts?
- Possible Audience Draw = is the play likely to build an audience?”
- Overall Ranking = overall how would you rate the play?
- Comments/Suggestions to the Playwright?
- If the reader is not comfortable working with Google Drive and Sheets, the Producer can email you the play scripts/etc – just them know how you’re able to work to help with the process.
- If a play was read and ranked by two readers, the Producer will create rounded scores from both readers.
- The Producer will use the rankings, to determine which playwrights should be offered a reading, based on the quality of the play. Low ranking plays may not be selected.
- The Producer should follow up with ALL playwrights with a nice email – regardless of their decision to offer a reading, or not.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE A READER FOR OUR COMPETITION SERIES, CONTACT THE NEW WORKS PRODUCER at newplaywrights@villagerstheatre.org