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| 2010 Snowdance cast and crew |
The popular show, which is part performance and part playwrighting contest, is accepting submissions for its 2011 show through Nov. 1. “Snowdance” is open to original, unpublished 10-minute or shorter comedies for the stage. Winning entries will be performed together in one theatre presentation by the OOHP Snowdance ensemble at Sixth Street Theatre for five weeks beginning Jan. 28, 2011. The entire Snowdance production will be presented more than 20 times during the run. At each performance, audience members can vote for their favorite individual comedy; the audience favorites will earn cash prizes for the playwright.
Entries may be sent to SNOWDANCE, c/o Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth Street, Racine, Wisconsin, 53403. Playwrights are limited to one submission.
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| 2010 "Best in Snow" winning play, "The Covenant by Tim Bohn of Jonesboro, Ark. |
Rules for the Snowdance Comedy Competition, which is open to everyone without age or geographic restriction, are relatively simple. Competition is open to unpublished, 10-minute or shorter comedies free of royalty and copyright restrictions. Musicals, adaptations, and translations will not be considered. One entry per playwright, postmarked by November 1, 2010. The writer’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if applicable) should be included on the title page and only the title page. The title page should also include a cast list and a one- to three- sentence synopsis of the play. Plays can have a cast of one to five characters; plays should be easily staged, avoiding elaborate set requirements.
Submit one typed manuscript in standard format, securely bound. Complete rules will be posted on the theatre website at www.overourheadplayers.org. Any questions can be directed to Rich Smith via the box office, at (262)632-6802, or by e-mail at snowdance318@gmail.com. Scripts will not be returned.
The Snowdance 10-Minute Comedy Festival is a competition of original short comedies. Writers from throughout the community, the state, and the country are invited to enter; previous involvement with OOHPs is not a requirement. Scripts will be judged by the Snowdance Selection Committee. Scripts will be chosen for production in a complete festival performance. Then, in the ultimate interactive experience, audiences vote for the production they enjoyed the most. The votes will be tallied throughout the five weekend festival run, and the Snowdance “Best in Snow” will be awarded after the final performance on February 27th. A $300 prize goes to “Best in Snow”, with $100 awards going to second and third places. OOHP presents Snowdance January 28 - February 27, 2011. OOHP Artistic Director Rich Smith leads the Snowdance ensemble, which is sponsored by Minuteman Press.
Smith has lead the production since it began in 2005. He emphasizes the key to the festival’s growth: “Thank you playwrights for making the Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival the great success it has become! We have formed a great collaboration with the writing community: playwrights need actors and audiences, and OOHPs depends on great scripts. Over Our Head Players offers opportunities to as many playwrights as possible by producing 10 or more new productions in each year’s competition.”
Smith describes the unique Snowdance experience and its approach to material: “There are many play festivals and many play competitions, but Snowdance stands alone as the premiere audience interactive comedy festival by allowing our audience to vote on who will be awarded the Best in Snow! Having the audiences vote makes Snowdance unique for both the audience and the playwrights.” He continues, “With Snowdance, no subject is off-limits. We respect our theatre-savvy Racine audience and strive to produce material that is being written for any stage in the country. One of our goals with Snowdance is to bring America's comedy 'pulse' to the shores of Lake Michigan, offering a diverse experience for our audience that represents the most current theatrical trends.”
Over Our Head Players is a non-profit organization of volunteer talent from throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and operates the Sixth Street Theatre in Racine. Their 19th season includes Escanaba in Love, Escanaba in da Moonlight, The Smell of the Kill, and Theatre/Schmeatre, an evening of sketch comedies. OOHP has a commitment to original theatre. In addition to Snowdance, previous original works include sold-out productions Camp Nelson, It’s a Wonderful Lifeboat; Ode to Garlic, Waiting for the Weinermobile, Big Shoes; Still Haven’t Found...; and Real Remembrances of the War in Vietnam.
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