Preparing Scripts for Submission

THE PLAYWRITING SEMINARS > BUSINESS > SUBMISSION >

'The point comes when the ship has a bow and the stern and sides and a deck. So you launch it. And it either sinks without a trace, or it floats.'

-- Arthur Miller

The first step in the Submission process is getting a copy of the Dramatists Sourcebook. It's the only practical way of knowing where to send scripts when you're just starting in this business.

And once you've got your script ready to go, here's what makes up the Submission Package . . .

Letter of Inquiry
Résumé
Synopsis [If requested]
The Bound Script In standard Manuscript Format.
An SASE
And Keep A Record of Where You've Sent It.

Paper clip your Letter and Résumé on top of the front cover of your script. And mail the whole thing in a minimum 9.5" x 12.5" envelope.

But . . . if a theatre or Competition says in its announcement, Write for guidelines -- do it before you go to all the trouble of putting a script package together. Include an SASE when you ask for these.

Multiple submissions of the same play sent simultaneously to different theatres and Competitions is standard practice in this business. But be sensible. Try to figure out which theatres or competitions would be most receptive to the style and subject of your play.

If you're like most playwrights, you'll have a hard enough time dealing with rejections without setting yourself up unnecessarily for more than your share. Theatre Communications Group and Dramatists Guild publications are the best sources for what particular theatres or competitions may be looking for.

An increasing number of Literary Mangers and Competition organizers have gotten worn down by slogging through pounds of new plays with Themes or styles that don't suit them or -- in more cases than you can shake a keyboard at -- are just plain awful on the basic level of Craft. So they hope to screen out the trash before asking to see scripts.

Their solution to this problem is great for them, but not so hot for playwrights . . .

Writing The Synopsis

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