Congratulations to the Winners of the 2020 Scriptwriters Houston Museum Plays Sponsored by The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) "Artistic Difference" by Raymond Terry "Chiaroscuro" by Leslie Barrera "A Horrible Burglar" by Tyreece Hardwick "Inspector Lucien and a Painting for a Cold Case" by Bob Inger "Pose" by Michael Sheehan "Last Tango in Bacon" by Joaquin Izquierdo Scriptwriters Houston Museum Plays at The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) Thursday, April 30, 2020 & Saturday, May 2, 2020 Important Note: Due to recommended social distancing regarding COVID-19, this year's Museum Plays have been cancelled. Keep checking this website for 2021 Museum Play writing opportunities .
Overview Scriptwriters Houston is excited to announce its collaboration with the MFAH to present short plays based on artist Francis Bacon. The MFAH will exhibit his late paintings beginning February 23, 2020. It will be a wonderful opportunity to share your work in one of the largest museums in the country.
The Museum Play experience will take place on two dates - Thursday, April 30th at 7:00 pm and Saturday, May 2nd at 2:00 pm.
Total scripts selected will be between 6 & 9. (Based on average length of performances needed to fill an hour).
Details on entry fees for participants and guest will be provided at a later date.
Exhibits Below is a link to the museum/exhibition and more details on Francis Bacon and his paintings are in the attachments. Rules
Plays should be 8 – 10 minutes in length. Please time your scripts before submitting. Scripts that, when read out loud by evaluators, are significantly less or more than the designated time limit may be automatically disqualified from participation.
Plays must have only 2 actors. Actors can play multiple characters. No monologues. Keep in mind the stage is the museum, so there is no “off-stage” space.
Actors may carry hand props. No set pieces are allowed. Props used for performances must have the capability to move quickly and allow smooth transition for the next performance. No light cues or external sound cues are allowed.
Writer’s work only needs to connect to the artist, Francis Bacon.
Plays must be respectful of the true purpose of the museum and be family friendly. No profanity allowed.
Submission is only opened to members of Scriptwriters Houston with dues paid by the submission deadline.
Submissions are due by February 17, 2020.
Entrants may submit up to a total of three scripts. A MAXIMUM OF ONE PLAY PER WRITER WILL BE SELECTED.
Submitted plays must be unpublished and never produced. Plays that have had a reading are allowed.
Each entry must have a cover page which should be separate from the script.
What to Submit SUBMISSIONS FORMAT FOR COVER PAGE or EMAIL:
Author's Name, Address, Phone Number
Title of Play
Statement explaining connection to the exhibition
The following statement: "I have read and understand the submission rules, guidelines, and deadline. I accept the terms of submitting my work to the Scriptwriters Houston 2020 MFAH Francis Bacon exhibit. I also give permission to Scriptwriters Houston to make a recording of my play as produced by Scriptwriters Houston, and grant to Scriptwriters Houston license to use that recording to promote Scriptwriters Houston by way of public/electronic media, including but not limited to YouTube, Facebook, email attachment, or by way of a television, film, or radio broadcast, or podcast." Author's Name: _______________________________________
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR SCRIPTS: Submitted scripts MUST:
Adhere to the information in the RULES section above
Have the title of the play on each page in a header
Have page numbers at top or bottom
Have the cover page information SEPARATE from the script itself in two different documents
NOT have writer information attached to the script for ease of blind evaluation
Where to Submit SCRIPT DELIVERY OPTIONS:
ELECTRONICALLY: To submit electronically, please send an email with the cover page information in the body of the email and the script as a PDF to swhmuseumplays@gmail.com. Subject: MFAH/FRANCIS BACON Entry in the subject line. This is the PREFERRED method of entry. Note: Please do not have writer information attached to the script for ease of blind evaluation.
MAIL/DELIVERY: Please provide the information in your cover letter attached to one (1) hard copy of your submitted script(s) and mail to:
Submissions mailed/hand delivered must be delivered on/before Friday, February 17th. NOTE: this does not mean postmarked by! It must be in the P.O. Box by February 17th! We will send you a confirmation email when it has been received.