One-Act Play Anthology

Theatre Ontario is seeking submissions for a new edition of its one-act play anthology, published by Playwrights Canada Press.  The anthology will be launched at the Theatre Ontario Festival held in North Bay in May 2008.

Submission Guidelines

1.  Open to playwrights who live in Ontario.
2.  Each playwright may submit no more than two plays.
3.  Scripts must be one-act plays in English with an estimated performance time of no more than 75 minutes.  Submitted material should be suitable for mature performers but may be intended for audiences of any age.
4.  The one-act play must have had at least one performance (professional or amateur) before an audience.  A professional production is defined as having used paid actors and creative staff.  Productions from fringe festivals, Sears Ontario Drama Festival, community theatre festivals, and school festivals are eligible.
5.  Only submissions that include the production history of the play will be considered.  This includes the name of the theatre that produced the play, the year the play was produced, and the name of the director.  If names of artistic staff and actors in the production are available, please provide this additional information.
6.  Please note: Including another writer's work in your own work is an infringement of copyright unless permission has been sought from the rights-holder to use the work.  Examples of using someone else's work would be including poetry, or lyrics, or excerpts from prose.  Therefore, when submitting the play, please highlight the use of another writer's work in your work, should such a situation exist.  Should your work be selected for publication, it will be your responsibility, at that time, to secure permission from the rights-holder to include the excerpt in your work.  You will also be responsible for any costs required to obtain those permissions.

Submission Requirements

1.  Please submit 4 copies of script.  There are no entry forms or entry fees.
2.  On the submission's title page include the play title, playwright's name, and full production history of the play (see above explanation of production history.)  Indicate on the title page whether the play has had a professional or amateur production.  Also include your complete mailing address, including email address if available.
3.  Complete scripts must be typewritten or word-processed and printed on 8 ½" x 11" paper.  Pages should be numbered sequentially.  Put the name of the play on each page.
4.  Submitted scripts will not be returned unless the playwright provides the necessary pre-paid packaging.
5.  If you wish acknowledgement that your one-act play has been received, send a stamped, self-addressed postcard, which will be mailed back to you.

Deliver or mail your submission to Theatre Ontario before May 31, 2007, 5:00 pm.  (This is an extension to the originally published deadline.)  Do not submit your script electronically or by fax.

Selection Process

You will be advised by October 15, 2007 if your one-act play has been accepted for publication.  Unsuccessful submissions will not be contacted.  When permission has been confirmed, the list of successful plays will be published on our web site.

If selected, you will receive a permission form, granting Playwrights Canada Press the non-exclusive right to publish the one-act play.  You will be paid a fee for the use of the one-act play in the anthology.

Submit one-act play as follows:
One-Act Play Anthology
c/o Theatre Ontario
215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 210,
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2C7.