DCPA's Off-Center Seeks Submissions of New Works

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is proud to announce that Off-Center, the newest and most unconventional line of programming at the DCPA, is seeking submissions of original, short plays and performance pieces by Colorado artists for production.

Each of the five winning works will be awarded $1,000 and produced as part of an evening of micro theatre that will run for 24 performances at BookBar in October/November 2018. This event is conceived and led by Meridith Grundei, who was featured as one of Westword's 2017 100 Colorado Creatives.

"Micro theatre - short pieces with incredibly intimate audiences of just 10-15 people - is a unique approach to performance that is popular internationally, and we are excited to bring the format to Denver," said Charlie Miller, Off-Center Curator. "Meridith was inspired by the micro theatre she experienced in Mexico. Her passion was infectious and it was clear that this format would be a perfect fit for Off-Center as a different kind of site-specific theatrical experience."

"I'm looking forward to the ways that this project will engage the larger Denver artistic community. In addition to Colorado-based playwrights/creators, Off-Center also plans to hire all performers and other collaborators locally. The idea of presenting these new works in a non-traditional setting also brought about a new partnership with BookBar, a local business that we admire. They regularly host literary events that bring the community together over food and wine and we can't wait to activate their spaces with new stories by Colorado creatives," Miller said.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions must:

Be original, unpublished works that have not been previously produced. Writers/creators must have sole rights to all matters contained within the piece.

Be written/created by a Colorado resident

Have a run time of between 10 and 15 minutes, and be no more than 30 pages

Feature no more than 3 performers

Reference or relate to a work of literature

Take place in a location where there are books (a library, book store, living room, etc.)

Have simple technical and production needs

Be submitted online by 11:59pm on March 5, 2018 at http://dcpa.today/micro

Performance pieces that incorporate different art forms (dance/movement, music, visual art, etc.) are also encouraged to apply. To propose a non-scripted interdisciplinary work, please submit a written description of the work and include imagery or links to video to help convey your ideas.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts provides equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, or disability. Applicants must be age 16 or older.

Formatting Guidelines

Scripts must be typed in a generally accepted play-style format, with 12-point font and must be page-numbered. We will only accept PDF documents.

The first page/title page must contain ONLY the title of the piece. Do not put the author's name anywhere on the manuscript.

Other Rules

We will only accept one submission per person

Scripts/proposals not in compliance will not be considered

By submitting, you give DCPA Off-Center the rights to produce and perform the work in 2018. You agree (if selected) to collaborate with our team through the rehearsal and production process.

Winners are encouraged to make changes to their scripts through the development and rehearsal process, in collaboration with the production team.

The selection committee has the sole discretion over the manner in which the works are judged, and its determination of the winners will be final

Selection Process

Submissions will be reviewed blindly by a selection committee comprised of members of the DCPA staff and associated artists. All applicants will be notified via email in April 2018 and winners will be announced publicly at a later date.

Questions? Contact at offcenter@dcpa.org

About the Show

This evening of micro theatre will feature five short original works by local artists. It will be performed environmentally at BookBar, with each piece performing in a different indoor or outdoor space simultaneously. The evening will accommodate around 70 audience members; groups of ten at a time will see each piece in different orders. During scheduled breaks between performances, audiences will drink wine, eat tapas and socialize.

ABOUT BOOKBAR

BookBar is a community bookstore wine bar for the whole family, featuring a highly curated selection of titles for all ages. Enjoy many local and house crafted hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, coffee, tea and desserts at our bar. We are proud to host hundreds of literary events per year including author readings, story times, and book clubs.

ABOUT THE DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is the largest non-profit theatre organization in the nation, presenting Broadway tours and producing theatre, cabaret, musicals, and innovative, immersive plays. Last season the DCPA engaged with more than 1.2 million visitors, generating a $150 million economic impact in ticket sales alone. Additionally, DCPA Education serves more than 105,000 students of all ages and skill levels through classes, in-school programs, matinees and audience engagement opportunities. Follow the DCPA on social media @DenverCenter and through the Denver Center for the Performing Arts News Center.

As the newest and most unconventional line of programming of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Off-Center specializes in unexpected experiences such as Sweet &Lucky, the first large-scale immersive show in Denver and The Wild Party, a decadent 360° party set in the Roaring 20s. An Off-Center show is like no other theatre experience-by design. Off-Center focuses more on connecting people and upending expectations than on adhering to tradition. If you leave the show thinking "I've never seen anything like it," then Off-Center has done its job. We want you to lose yourself, to welcome surprise and to remember that life is better when you live it Off-Center.

Programming at the DCPA is made possible through the generous support of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District; Theatre Company sponsors Wells Fargo, Larimer Square and Daniel L. Ritchie, and media sponsors The Denver Post and CBS4. Please be advised that the DCPA is the ONLY authorized ticket seller for Broadway tours and shows by DCPA Theatre Company, Cabaret and Off-Center. Tickets bought through secondary ticket vendors may exceed face value or be invalid.

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