IOWA THESPIAN PLAYWORKS

The Iowa Thespian Festival PlayWorks program is an opportunity for student writers to get their work performed by an All-State cast of students in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in a staged reading. There are two components to the PlayWorks Program - 
  • Playwriting (as part of the Thespy Award program)
  • All-State Staged Reading
If you have any questions, email our PlayWorks coordinator, Alan Strait, at alan.strait@lewiscentral.org

Playwriting Guidelines

Interested writers may submit a one-act play (10-30 minutes) to be adjudicated as part of the Thespy Playwriting category. Based on adjudicator scores, up to two of the original one-act plays will be selected for a staged reading at festival. The playwrights will have the opportunity to work with the staged reading director and cast members during the rehearsal process and performance at festival. 
  • Check out the sample script format: Iowa Thespian Festival PlayWorks (coming soon!)
  • Submit your play to the Thespy Award registration portal by September 19, 2023
  • Adjudicator feedback will be provided and winners will be announced by October 1, 2023

PLAYWRITING PARTICIPATION GUIDE

1

REGISTER YOUR PLAYWRITING EVENT IN THE ONLINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM

  • Troupe directors should register for the playwriting Thespy when completing the online registration system ​
  • For more information on how to register events in the online registration system, check out the registration guide 

2

complete the PLAYWRITING performance application in openwater

  • After troupe directors complete the online registration, the student OR troupe director should complete the performance application in OpenWater by the PlayWorks deadline (September 19)
  • Attach your completed script in the OpenWater application 
  • For more information on submitting applications in OpenWater, check the registration guide 

3

FEEDBACK AND AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT

  • Adjudicator feedback will be provided and winners will be announced by October 1, 2023
  • The selected playwright(s) will work with the PlayWorks team in preparation for the All-State Staged Reading on the Gallagher-Bluedorn stage at Festival
    • The staged reading director may have a pre-festival virtual meeting with the playwright and/or cast to prepare for the performance

all-state staged reading guidelines

Prior to festival, a cast of student actors from around the state will be selected to participate in the festival performance. During festival, the selected actors will work with a theatre professional to prepare for the performance. The staged reading will be performed for the full festival delegation on the Saturday of festival. 
NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ALL-STATE STAGED READING. The creative team will work with troupe directors to select cast members based on the characters needed. This character breakdown will be determined after the selected script(s) is determined. The creative team may arrange a pre-festival virtual read-thru to familiarize the actors with the script before in-person rehearsals/performance at festival.