By CM BROWN
PATERSON, NJ—The Paterson Performing Arts Development Council (PPADC) is pleased to announce its first annual Show Me The Monologue Playwriting Competition, which is meant to help independent writers showcase new works. The winner will receive a $500 stipend along with access to a dramaturge, director, and other developmental support as PPADC’s artist-in-residence from November 2020 through April 2021. The winning playwright will have the opportunity to work with PPADC’s team to mount a main stage theater production at a venue in Paterson as part of the organization’s overall lineup in its Hamilton Arts Festival to be held in April 2021.
PPADC is currently accepting entries for its Show Me the Monologue Playwriting Competition now up until September 21, 2020. Entrants are encouraged to submit work that depicts a unique cultural experience, heritage perspective, and/or social justice issue. PPADC is accepting full-act plays and musicals which must be sixty to ninety minutes in length.
Competitors are asked to upload a video monologue that is no more than five minutes long (when spoken) and best represents their original, self-authored work. Additionally, entrants must upload a full script, typed and doubled spaced, of the play from which the monologue is taken. Musical scripts must include an audio recording of at least five songs in sequence as they appear in the script. Submissions are being accepted online at: https://filmfreeway.com/ShowMeTheMonologue. The winner will be announced during the Hamilton Heritage Festival (October 23-25, 2020), a series of events and activities hosted by PPADC that are designed to foster community engagement, encourage cultural exchange, and pay homage to Paterson luminaries in the arts who reflect Paterson’s multicultural communities.
“We’re excited to host our first annual playwriting contest to nurture the creative process and to allow lesser known voices to shine,” says Carolyn M. Brown, project director and PPADC Board Member. “We’re dedicated to providing the next generation of writers much needed support and resources,” she adds.
“We want to continue to work with emerging writers in the development of flourishing and thriving professional careers,” says PPADC President Denise Womack, who also serves as Co-Chair of Paterson Arts Exchange, the formal arts advisory committee to the City of Paterson. “There is so much talent here in Paterson.”
PPADC is on a mission to establish pathways for new and accomplished artists through the delivery of the performing arts and multicultural community events in Paterson, New Jersey. “We want to position our city as the premier hub for creative arts and cultural education,” PPADC founding Board Member Therese Salmon explains. “Our organization values its community and sees Paterson as an up and coming “Destination City” for arts enthusiasts.”
“We want to spark renewed excitement in our multi-faceted arts community,” adds PPADC Board Member Nelly Celi. “We not only want to elevate the narratives of diverse artists who are creating authentic stories that will resonate with our local residents, we also want to raise awareness about the rich cultural tapestry of Paterson.”
PPADC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration between other local organizations and community groups to provide increased access and opportunities to local artists of diverse backgrounds. PPADC promotes open dialogue and cultural exchange in order to cultivate a more inclusive sphere of performing arts by eliminating barriers related to age, gender, race, sexual-orientation, identity, social status, disability, nationality, and religion.
For more information, please contact team PPADC at info@ppadc.org and visit www.ppadc.org