News

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us for the Southern NH auditions in Nashua last night!  It was so wonderful to meet you all!

For those farther north -we are excited to announce our Concord area auditions! They will take place:

Saturday, September 17, from 10AM-1PM

Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudoon Rd./Coldwater Creek Storefront/Steeplegate Mall)

See the full details on our Auditions page!

Thank you to everyone who submitted!  Our readers were given the top four plays to read without the playwrights identifying information attached and were asked to rank the plays 1 through 4, with one being their top choice and four being their last choice for the reading.  They were asked to consider following when creating their rankings:

1. The strength of the story itself and strength of the characters built.  Does the story make sense?  Are the characters well rounded? etc.
2.  How do you think the story would play out as a reading?  -The play will not be shared in the traditional sense of seeing the play entirely on its feet with sets, costumes, and complete staging.  Would the story still be entertaining without those elements?
3.  Do you believe the playwright would benefit from the workshop experience?  Remember that these plays are still a work in progress and we expect some work to be done as the weekend progresses.  That being said, is there too much work that needs to be done that the playwright cannot expect to have addressed the issues over the course of 24 (working) hours.

From there, we assigned points to each ranking and added the points up.  The two plays with the most points will receive the workshop and performance September 23-25th at the Hatbox Theatre in Concord, NH.

Without further ado, the plays selected are (drum roll…)

Divine Intent by Jackie Marcoux

-A man responds to his father call to find out that he has kidnapped a young woman under the pretense of saving an angel from harm.

The Boy in the Box by Lesley Moreau

-A teenage girl comes forward, claiming the identity of girl kidnapped as a baby.  She returns home to find the family is still dealing with the repercussions of the kidnapping 16 years ago.

We are so excited to be producing these shows!  We also would like to take a moment to identify the two plays that were also in our top four as well as two honorable mentions.

I Smile, Of Course, And Go On Drinking Tea by Linda Britt

Thank you again to all who submitted plays to us and we can’t wait to put together this workshop weekend!

Amanda and Jackie

Some updates about what we’ve been up to here at Working Title Productions.

Play Submissions Update

Our submission period has closed.  Thank you to everyone who submitted a script.  Amanda and I thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone’s work and we have passed on the top four to our panel of readers.  I know that our submission guidelines stated that we would have a top five but as we reviewed the submissions we found a solid top four and will have two scripts that will receive Honorable Mentions as we liked the plays (and went back and forth about which to put in that fifth spot) but ultimately decided to keep it at a top four as to not surprise our readers with a sixth play they would need to read.  We are on schedule to announce the winning scripts by August 29th, so keep an eye out for that announcement.

Directors and Stage Managers

We are currently looking for Directors and Stage Managers to participate in the Granite State Playwrights Workshop.  If you would like to participate in either of those capacities please check out our post and send us your information.  We’d love to have you on board!

https://workingtitleproductionsnh.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/calling-directors-and-stage-managers/

Auditions

We will be holding auditions for the reading at the Nashua Public Library in Nashua, NH on September 7th from 6pm-9pm in the East Wing.  We ask that you arrive anytime before 8:30pm as the Library closes at 9pm and we want to give everyone time to read.  Auditions will consist of cold readings from the scripts.  If time allows and you have a monologue prepared you will be welcome to share it with us.

Call backs are tentatively scheduled for Saturday September 10th from 10am-1pm at the Kimball Jenkins Estate in Concord, NH.  We are awaiting confirmation on this so check back soon to find out for sure.

Facebook

We have a Facebook page!  For more regular updates about what’s going on with us please check out (and like!) our Facebook page.  You can find us by searching Facebook for @workingtitlenh.

That’s all the updates we have for you at the moment.  Thanks for reading and we look forward to sharing more with you soon!  – Jackie

Calling directors and stage managers!

Working Title Productions seeks directors and stage managers for their inaugural Granite State Playwrights Workshop, staged readings of two new plays by New Hampshire and New England playwrights, rehearsed and performed over the course of a single weekend.

Commitment Details:

Friday, September 23, evening

Saturday, September 24, all day

Sunday, September 25, all day, with performances of the readings at 2PM and 6:30PM

*Directors will also be asked to attend callback auditions for their play in September if available.  One date of auditions is already scheduled for Wednesday September 7th from 5:30pm-9pm at the Nashua Public Library in Nashua, NH.  A second, call back audition, is tentatively scheduled for Saturday September 10th from 10am-1pm in Concord, NH.

**Everyone involved will be asked to participate in a short strike following the final performance.

Performance and Rehearsal Locations:

Performances will be held at the Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Rd/Steeple Gate Mall) in Concord, NH.

Rehearsals will be held at the Hatbox Theatre and in other locations in Concord, NH.

Specific Responsibilities:

Directors will direct a staged reading of their assigned script over the course of the workshop weekend.  If available, directors will also be asked to attend callback auditions for their script in September (preliminary auditions have already taken place).

Stage managers will assist the directors as needed, track blocking and minimal props.  Stage managers may also be asked to read stage directions during rehearsals and performances.

Compensation:

It is the goal of Working Title Productions to provide some monetary compensation to all who participate in the workshop weekend (Directors, Stage Managers, Actors, Playwrights, etc.) even if it is only a small amount.  Amount of compensation will be dependent on house sales for the performances.

To Apply:

Those interested, should send a resume and brief statement of interest to Amanda and Jackie, workingtitleproductionsnh@gmail.com.  Applications invited through September 5, 2016.

Calling all New Hampshire and New England playwrights!  Working Title Productions will be hosting a workshop weekend at the Hatbox Theatre located in Concord, NH.

We know that finding the time to get people together to read out new work can be difficult.  Under the inspiration of 24 Hour Theater festivals, the Granite State Playwrights Workshop is intended to give New Hampshire and New England playwrights a single weekend to have their work rehearsed and given a reading in order to garner feedback and aid in the editing process.  Approximately 2-3 playwrights will be selected for the inaugural workshop weekend.  Directors and stage mangers will be recruited prior to the weekend and an audition night(s) will be held a week or two before the workshop weekend.  Friday night all cast and production members will meet to read through the selected plays.  Rehearsals will occur all day Saturday with a public reading of the work on Sunday afternoon/early evening.  The reading will allow for minimal blocking but no sets or major costuming.  In addition, we intend to split any profits amongst those who participate (ie. Playwrights, Directors, etc.).  Preference to NH playwrights will be given during script selection, with possible exceptions being made for New England playwrights who are willing to travel to NH for the weekend and understand that they are responsible for any costs incurred.

If selected, playwrights will be required to attend the entire weekend (September 23^rd to the 25^th,2016) with the intention that they would also participate in a night of auditions the week prior if possible.  All who ultimately participate (Playwrights, Directors, Actors, etc.) in the weekend will receive some monetary compensation though the particular amount will depend on house sales for the performance.

Requirements and Additional Information:

• The playwrights who are selected must be in attendance for the entire weekend. (September 23-25, 2016)
  • We would like playwrights to be in attendance at the audition night(s) as well but is not a requirement.
    • Potential audition dates are September 8^th and 10^th, 2016
  • Preference will be given to New Hampshire playwrights but New England Playwrights are welcome to participate if they are willing to take on housing and travel expenses.
• Playwrights will receive a portion of the house sales. It is the goal of Working Title Productions to provide some monetary compensation to all who participate in the workshop weekend (Directors, Actors, Playwrights, etc) even if it is only a small amount.
  • We hope that those involved will invite and bring patrons to the performance though we set no requirement in ticket sales. However, the number of tickets sold directly influences how much money can be split amongst the company.
• We are accepting full length and one act scripts. No ten minute plays will be selected and at this time we cannot accommodate musicals.
  • Please read your script aloud to yourself and time it (include reading out important stage directions), if your script runs anywhere between 30 and 90 minutes then please submit! If it runs above 90 minutes please feel free to submit but please let us know in the body of your email and understand that we may not be able to select it due to its length.
• In order to ensure that actors have the opportunity to thoroughly build your characters, you script should require no more than 7 actors.
  • If your play can take advantage of doubling actors, please do not double more than 3 and let us know on the script that the doubling should occur with those specific characters.
• Some minimal blocking and costuming will be allowed for the performance. Chairs and a table will be provided (Directors will be provided; this information is just for your knowledge).
  • It is intended that this will be a script in hand rehearsed reading performance at the end of the weekend. The blocking and costuming is meant to give the audience an idea of what the show may look like and clarify dialogue and/or action.  It is not meant to be a fully staged performance.
• Plays need to be complete but at a point where they still need to be finalized. For example, having a scene that you believe needs work or wondering if your message gets across.
• No more than 2 scripts may be submitted by a single playwright
• All playwrights will be contacted about whether or not their play was selected for the weekend by August 29^th, 2016.
  • All plays will be read and reviewed and a top five will be selected.  The top five will then be blindly distributed to a panel of four that will determine what plays are ultimately selected.
• The submission window closes at 11:59:59pm on August 9^th, 2016
• In the body of your email submission to us please include:
  • The title of your play
  • Character age and gender breakdown
  • Any special casting requirements (for example, a character who plays the guitar or of a specific ethnic background).
  • A note if it runs longer than 90 minutes being read out.
  • Where you are from
    • If out of state, a sentence letting us know you understand you are responsible for travel expenses and finding lodging for the weekend.
  • Your contact information: Name, phone number, and email address
  • Finally, please attach your play in either PDF or Word format
    • Standard play format please.

You can submit your plays at workingtitleproductionsnh@gmail.com

Thanks so much and we look forward to reading your work!

Keep an eye out for our upcoming call for scripts.  We can’t wait to receive scripts from NH and New England playwrights and see the talent that is out there!