Charles Rowan Beye
NEW PLAY COMMISSION
Presented by Urbanite Theatre
Thank you! The 2020 submission window is now closed.
In honor of one of the earliest, most impactful and devoted Urbanite supporters, we are dedicating an annual new play commission to our dear friend Charlie Beye, who passed away earlier this year.
Along with his husband Richard Deppe, Charlie adored new work, provocative themes and challenging humor. He had a talent for illuminating the social and cultural importance of each production, and regularly wrote Urbanite blisteringly funny, poignant responses to each production, which staff members anticipated as much as reviews from critics.
To celebrate his legacy, we invite early to mid-career playwrights to apply for a $2000 commission for a new work. There will be two proposals selected.
Questions? Email us at submissions@urbanitetheatre.com
OFFICIAL RULES AND GUIDELINES
Deadline to apply:
July 31, 2020
For our inaugural commission, submissions for this award are open only to writers of color.
Commissions:
Two proposals will be awarded commissions of $2000 each.
To apply, a playwright must submit:
• A one-page play proposal for a new, full-length, unwritten work
• A one-page resume
• One of your finished plays, for reference only
Free-form proposals for new plays must:
• Investigate a pressing social or cultural issue
• Utilize four performers or fewer
• Explain the use of singular, flexible or representational scenic demands
• Demonstrate how the use of humor will play a role in your script
Eligibility Rules:
• Submissions may only be from playwrights of color
• Playwrights must reside in the United States
• One submission per playwright
Interested playwrights are encouraged to read Urbanite’s mission statement and look at our production history to get an idea of the type of work we produce.
Commission contracts will be offered in August, 2020, and will be announced upon signing.
Questions? Email us at submissions@urbanitetheatre.com