Showing posts with label 17Percent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 17Percent. Show all posts
Friday, 29 August 2014
Please note this blog is no longer updated
This blog is no longer updated - but you can find all you need to know about She Writes - now held monthly as part of Roundabout Nights at the Alexandra Hotel in Chatham on this link.
Friday, 12 October 2012
She Writes December 2012
She Writes in December is all about our passions and obsessions! We're really looking forward to seeing into our writers' psyches!
As it's the last She Writes before Christmas we will also be hosting a poetry open mic - open to both men and women.
You will have a 5 minute slot and we ask that you read a maximum of 3 poems on the topic of your passions/obsessions during this time (depending on how many open mic-ers attend your slot might be shorter.)
She Writes - Passions
5 December 2012
7pm for a 7.30pm start
The Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable
£5 or £4 concessions
Friday, 31 August 2012
'What is art?' - 12 September 2012
We are happy to announce that we have a brilliant variety of short plays to provoke and please, on 12 September.
The theme is 'What is art?'. We chose this theme as the event is happening during the Whitstable Biennale; a time when a creative part of Kent gets even more creative.
We will be presenting:
Joined at the Hip by Sally Whyte
Drawing A Blank by Sioned Jones
Graf by Sam Hall
My Bloody Laundrette by Deborah Klayman and Ali Kemp
The Arrangement by Maggie Drury
Pink Lady by Tracy Harris
Who Knows Art? by Karen Bartholemew
This show will mark a year of She Writes and take the total number of plays performed to 41 and the number of playwrights we have showcased to 31!
Join us and help celebrate a year of showcasing women's plays.
The theme is 'What is art?'. We chose this theme as the event is happening during the Whitstable Biennale; a time when a creative part of Kent gets even more creative.
We will be presenting:
Joined at the Hip by Sally Whyte
Drawing A Blank by Sioned Jones
Graf by Sam Hall
My Bloody Laundrette by Deborah Klayman and Ali Kemp
The Arrangement by Maggie Drury
Pink Lady by Tracy Harris
Who Knows Art? by Karen Bartholemew
This show will mark a year of She Writes and take the total number of plays performed to 41 and the number of playwrights we have showcased to 31!
Join us and help celebrate a year of showcasing women's plays.
 |
| (And check out our She Writes bunting!!!) |
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Photos from She Writes, 20 June
 |
| Karen Neville, Nigel Banks, Sue Blakesley in 'Not at the Allotment' by Alice Gregg |
 |
| Sue Blakesley in 'Crumble' by Elinor Perry-Smith |
 |
| Karen Neville, Sam Pearson in 'Life after life' by Sue Donaldson |
 |
| Sue Blakesley and Nigel Banks in 'Lost property' by Claire Booker |
 |
| Amy Flight, Nigel Banks, Sadie Hurley in 'Risk Assessment' by Sarah Davies |
 |
| Nigel Banks in 'Fish n chips' by Katharine Markwick |
 |
| Amy Flight in 'Sexbomb' (extract) by Lucy Kaufman |
 |
| Sadie Hurley in 'Taste' by Helen Shay |
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Come to the next She Writes - 20 June 2012!
Plus raffle for short story goodies! (It is International Short Story Day.)
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Line-up for 20 June 2012
Claire Booker - Lost Property / Sue Donaldson - Life after life / Alice Gregg - Not the allotment / Lucy Kaufman - Sexbomb (extract) / Elinor Perry-Smith - Crumble / Helen Shay – Taste.
They are a really lovely selection of plays - so do come along if you are Kent-based!
Monday, 11 June 2012
She Writes showcases over the summer
There are a few ‘She Writes’ showcases coming up over the next couple of months.
20 June 2012 – ‘Lucky Dip’ at the Horsebridge, Whitstable
The She Writes showcase presents 7 short plays by writers on an open theme. There will be a surprising revelation about a glamorous Hollywood actress, a sixteenth century food taster, and a ventriloquist’s dummy to just give a few hints as to the varied contents of our lucky dip! Full line-up to be confimed later this week.
6 July 2012 – ‘Maid in Kent’ at Lounge on the Farm, Canterbury
We are pleased to be able to announce that we will be performing a show at Lounge on the Farm, in the theatre tent, on Friday afternoon. The time is still to be confirmed – so if you are going – look out for us!
18 July 2012 – ‘Maid in Kent’ at the Horsebridge, Whitstable
And for those who couldn’t make the Lounge on the Farm festival, we will be repeating the plays for our Whitstable audience at the Horsebridge. ‘Maid in Kent’ features 5 of our most popular short plays by Kent-based writers. In the line-up we have aliens, sea monsters, a psycho-killer, cookery show obsessed matrons and a disasterous first date.
Full line up:
Just Desserts by Sue Blakesley
Bitter Chocolate by Sarah Davies
Enjoy by Maggie Drury
At the beginning by SM Jenkin
See monsters by Sam Hall
These last shows will differ slightly from the usual format of rehearsed readings - in that they will be fully rehearsed plays.
20 June 2012 – ‘Lucky Dip’ at the Horsebridge, Whitstable
The She Writes showcase presents 7 short plays by writers on an open theme. There will be a surprising revelation about a glamorous Hollywood actress, a sixteenth century food taster, and a ventriloquist’s dummy to just give a few hints as to the varied contents of our lucky dip! Full line-up to be confimed later this week.
We are pleased to be able to announce that we will be performing a show at Lounge on the Farm, in the theatre tent, on Friday afternoon. The time is still to be confirmed – so if you are going – look out for us!
18 July 2012 – ‘Maid in Kent’ at the Horsebridge, Whitstable
And for those who couldn’t make the Lounge on the Farm festival, we will be repeating the plays for our Whitstable audience at the Horsebridge. ‘Maid in Kent’ features 5 of our most popular short plays by Kent-based writers. In the line-up we have aliens, sea monsters, a psycho-killer, cookery show obsessed matrons and a disasterous first date.
Full line up:
Just Desserts by Sue Blakesley
Bitter Chocolate by Sarah Davies
Enjoy by Maggie Drury
At the beginning by SM Jenkin
See monsters by Sam Hall
These last shows will differ slightly from the usual format of rehearsed readings - in that they will be fully rehearsed plays.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
17Percent newsletter features She Writes
The last 17Percent newsletter for the year features lots of information on She Writes. Read it here!
Friday, 23 September 2011
Plays selected for 12 October
We had a terrific response to our callout for plays on the topic of a meal, and have now selected the first batch for the show on 12 October.
If you haven't been selected, don't be downhearted, we are hoping this will become a more regular evening so you will have further opportunities to submit work to us. If you haven't been selected we would love you to submit more work to us, everything was of a very high standard, and we would love to see your development.
If you haven't been selected, don't be downhearted, we are hoping this will become a more regular evening so you will have further opportunities to submit work to us. If you haven't been selected we would love you to submit more work to us, everything was of a very high standard, and we would love to see your development.
The plays selected for our first evening are:
Starter - by Tracy Harris
Enjoy - by Maggie Drury
Enjoy - by Maggie Drury
Chef's special - by Lynne Taylor
Harriet is hungry - by Claire Booker
The Fridge - by Lucy Lucy
There will be a few more plays to be confirmed depending on timing and casting, (playwrights have been advised of this.)
Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
How to format a stage play
Why you should format your stage play and how-to...
OK, so you’ll have seen that there are 100s of slightly different ways you can lay out your script. Or, maybe you haven’t bothered to lay it out at all. Or check spelling and punctuation...
When your script gets to the theatre or the competition, it won’t go directly into the hands of a director or the judging panel. It will go into a pile that the literary manager or a team of readers will read. These readers will then filter out the ones they don’t like, so your script may never get past the first reader.
Readers are normally volunteers, reading 20 or more plays a week, probably on the train/tube/bus on the way home. They will write a script report of a couple of paragraphs upwards, and recommend whether the script should be looked at by the literary manager.
I read for a London fringe theatre for 6 months – and in all that time, I did not recommend one unsolicited script. What I constantly did do was make notes about bad spelling and layout.
The only way your script is getting to the literary manager and then the director and then maybe into development or production, is if the reader recommends it.
Make the reader happy...
You need to make the reader happy, by giving them an easy read.
1) So, the reader probably has at least 20 scripts to read. The first thing they will do is flick thorough the scripts they have and any that are in an odd format – will be read last (maybe when the reader is really tired, and in a bit of a mood.) This will disadvantage your script.
2) So, the reader probably wants to see that you are theatre-literate. You will look theatre-literate and professional if you format your script the way most scripts are formatted. You will also look like you’ve read a lot of scripts, maybe written a lot of scripts and probably been to the theatre a lot. (Maybe you haven’t – but you want the reader to think that.)
3) So, if your script looks like a mess, and there are typos, characters’ name spelled differently, lack of punctuation, then you can assume that the person reading it will give it short shrift. The reader is not getting paid to be your editor. In fact the reader is probably not getting paid at all. If your script is brilliant, don’t hide it under a load of typos and bad punctuation.
4) Your script should be as long as the theatre/competition has asked for. When formatted correctly one page of script equates to roughly one to one and a half minutes of acting time (depending on how dialogue heavy) – this means that the reader can quickly assess whether your play will fit into the allotted timeslot. If it doesn’t the reader/theatre won’t cut it for you.
5) Of course there are exceptions. One story I was told by a literary manager, was about a first time playwright who delivered a script that was 300 pages long in a box. That box went under the desk of a reader, who took it home, forgot about it, when they left the theatre, they gave the box back unread. The new literary manager read it, thought it was an amazing idea and bought the writer in for a chat, and got the writer to rewrite the play to an hour and a half.
But do you want to chance your luck? This is a rare scenario. Have you won the lottery recently?
Different standards
Each theatre has their own different standard, every course has their own different standard. You can find advice online on many sites. I personally don’t like the script format that the BBC Writersroom suggests, (as it makes the stage directions take up too much room), also writing formatting programmes such as CELTX or Final Draft seem to be a lot of hassle for little time saved, and seem to be highly tailored towards movie scripts.
Check whether the theatre or competition you are sending your play to has a suggested formatting. I format my scripts the way I was advised by a playwright who had worked with the Royal Court, but her way is different than others I have come across. You can download an example here. This is just the way I do them, but it’s fairly standard.
Basic summary
Format:
Whatever formatting advice you follow:,you should keep it to fontsize 12pt, I prefer Times, (not Arial or Courier, but it’s up to you.)
And include a title page with your name and contact details (unless otherwise specified).
And on each page - a header with title of play and your name (unless the competition wants it to be anonymous) and put page numbers at the bottom.
The stage directions should be in italics (some writers do them in brackets too,) and are sometimes tabbed in a bit and sometimes run across. Whichever you choose, you should be consistent.
Spelling:
Check spelling and sense.
Double check spelling and sense. Make sure characters don’t change names halfway through.
Get someone else to read it – not to comment – just to underline any bits that don’t make sense that you might have missed.
Be professional. Write to the correct length. If a competition asks for a play of no more than 5 minutes, then don’t send a play with the subtitle ‘a 10-minute play’. Chances are, it won’t even be read.
Right then, what you waiting for!?
OK, so you’ll have seen that there are 100s of slightly different ways you can lay out your script. Or, maybe you haven’t bothered to lay it out at all. Or check spelling and punctuation...
When your script gets to the theatre or the competition, it won’t go directly into the hands of a director or the judging panel. It will go into a pile that the literary manager or a team of readers will read. These readers will then filter out the ones they don’t like, so your script may never get past the first reader.
Readers are normally volunteers, reading 20 or more plays a week, probably on the train/tube/bus on the way home. They will write a script report of a couple of paragraphs upwards, and recommend whether the script should be looked at by the literary manager.
I read for a London fringe theatre for 6 months – and in all that time, I did not recommend one unsolicited script. What I constantly did do was make notes about bad spelling and layout.
The only way your script is getting to the literary manager and then the director and then maybe into development or production, is if the reader recommends it.
Make the reader happy...
You need to make the reader happy, by giving them an easy read.
1) So, the reader probably has at least 20 scripts to read. The first thing they will do is flick thorough the scripts they have and any that are in an odd format – will be read last (maybe when the reader is really tired, and in a bit of a mood.) This will disadvantage your script.
2) So, the reader probably wants to see that you are theatre-literate. You will look theatre-literate and professional if you format your script the way most scripts are formatted. You will also look like you’ve read a lot of scripts, maybe written a lot of scripts and probably been to the theatre a lot. (Maybe you haven’t – but you want the reader to think that.)
3) So, if your script looks like a mess, and there are typos, characters’ name spelled differently, lack of punctuation, then you can assume that the person reading it will give it short shrift. The reader is not getting paid to be your editor. In fact the reader is probably not getting paid at all. If your script is brilliant, don’t hide it under a load of typos and bad punctuation.
4) Your script should be as long as the theatre/competition has asked for. When formatted correctly one page of script equates to roughly one to one and a half minutes of acting time (depending on how dialogue heavy) – this means that the reader can quickly assess whether your play will fit into the allotted timeslot. If it doesn’t the reader/theatre won’t cut it for you.
5) Of course there are exceptions. One story I was told by a literary manager, was about a first time playwright who delivered a script that was 300 pages long in a box. That box went under the desk of a reader, who took it home, forgot about it, when they left the theatre, they gave the box back unread. The new literary manager read it, thought it was an amazing idea and bought the writer in for a chat, and got the writer to rewrite the play to an hour and a half.
But do you want to chance your luck? This is a rare scenario. Have you won the lottery recently?
Different standards
Each theatre has their own different standard, every course has their own different standard. You can find advice online on many sites. I personally don’t like the script format that the BBC Writersroom suggests, (as it makes the stage directions take up too much room), also writing formatting programmes such as CELTX or Final Draft seem to be a lot of hassle for little time saved, and seem to be highly tailored towards movie scripts.
Check whether the theatre or competition you are sending your play to has a suggested formatting. I format my scripts the way I was advised by a playwright who had worked with the Royal Court, but her way is different than others I have come across. You can download an example here. This is just the way I do them, but it’s fairly standard.
Basic summary
Format:
Whatever formatting advice you follow:,you should keep it to fontsize 12pt, I prefer Times, (not Arial or Courier, but it’s up to you.)
And include a title page with your name and contact details (unless otherwise specified).
And on each page - a header with title of play and your name (unless the competition wants it to be anonymous) and put page numbers at the bottom.
The stage directions should be in italics (some writers do them in brackets too,) and are sometimes tabbed in a bit and sometimes run across. Whichever you choose, you should be consistent.
Spelling:
Check spelling and sense.
Double check spelling and sense. Make sure characters don’t change names halfway through.
Get someone else to read it – not to comment – just to underline any bits that don’t make sense that you might have missed.
Be professional. Write to the correct length. If a competition asks for a play of no more than 5 minutes, then don’t send a play with the subtitle ‘a 10-minute play’. Chances are, it won’t even be read.
Right then, what you waiting for!?
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Poets - your chance to show us what you've got
As part of the new She Writes night, we will be holding a short open mic slot for local poets. There may be a prize of some sort determined by an audience vote - we'll see how it goes. It may be food related!
Poets don't need to contact us in advance, just come along with a maximum of 3 poems, on the topic of 'Coffee and/or Cheese'. When you get to the venue, we will ask you for your name so we can schedule you in. You also will get a pound off entry if you are performing in the open mic.
Looking forward to finishing our meal with you!
Poets don't need to contact us in advance, just come along with a maximum of 3 poems, on the topic of 'Coffee and/or Cheese'. When you get to the venue, we will ask you for your name so we can schedule you in. You also will get a pound off entry if you are performing in the open mic.
Looking forward to finishing our meal with you!
Seeking new short plays by women for our nights
17Percent is an organisation to support and promote female playwrights.
We are starting a new showcase night for female playwrights which will be held on a 2-monthly basis at the Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre in Whitstable.
We will be looking for micro-plays written by female playwrights - complete plays of up to 6 minutes with a maximum of 4 actors required - on a rolling schedule. The plays will receive a rehearsed reading with some blocking, and will be filmed for the 17Percent Youtube channel.
The first two evenings to be held this year will be themed around a menu and we are looking for plays that fit into one of the categories of 'Starter', 'Main' or 'Dessert'.
We are also interested in plays that have roles for older actresses as they are also under-represented in the theatre.
Please email your submission to 17percentevents@gmail.com, in Word or Adobe PDF format, stating where in the menu your meal fits!
We cannot currently offer a fee, but you will receive a free ticket to the show, if you can attend.
The deadlines are below:
12 October: please send us your play by 16 September
7 December: please send us your play by 11 November
We are starting a new showcase night for female playwrights which will be held on a 2-monthly basis at the Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre in Whitstable.
We will be looking for micro-plays written by female playwrights - complete plays of up to 6 minutes with a maximum of 4 actors required - on a rolling schedule. The plays will receive a rehearsed reading with some blocking, and will be filmed for the 17Percent Youtube channel.
The first two evenings to be held this year will be themed around a menu and we are looking for plays that fit into one of the categories of 'Starter', 'Main' or 'Dessert'.
We are also interested in plays that have roles for older actresses as they are also under-represented in the theatre.
Please email your submission to 17percentevents@gmail.com, in Word or Adobe PDF format, stating where in the menu your meal fits!
We cannot currently offer a fee, but you will receive a free ticket to the show, if you can attend.
The deadlines are below:
12 October: please send us your play by 16 September
7 December: please send us your play by 11 November
Introducing 'She Writes': a showcase of plays by women
17percent are pleased to announce the launch of our new 'She Writes' night of live new writing.
The first two nights in the series are themed around a meal. Up to 10 short new plays will be showcased in a rehearsed reading, and we are looking for submissions featuring no more than 4 actors of up to 6 minutes long. The plays should fit into one of the categories of 'Starter', 'Main', or 'Dessert'.
She Writes is a showcase night of short plays by women including a poetry open mic slot (open to male and female poets), launching at the Horsebridge Centre in Whitstable, Kent on 12 October, and returning on 7 December.
Only 17 percent of performed UK plays are currently written by women and we aim to improve on that by presenting a regular night of short plays written exclusively by women.The first two nights in the series are themed around a meal. Up to 10 short new plays will be showcased in a rehearsed reading, and we are looking for submissions featuring no more than 4 actors of up to 6 minutes long. The plays should fit into one of the categories of 'Starter', 'Main', or 'Dessert'.
We are also looking for local poets to round off our literary meal, in an open mic slot with up to 3 poems on the theme of 'Coffee and Cheese'.
Come and join us for a convivial evening where our domestic goddesses bite back!
Tickets: £5 / 4 concs (and open mic performers) available on the door
Time: Doors 7.15pm, show starts 7.30pm. Finish time: 9.30pm
Where: Chives cafe, Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1AF.
When: 12 October + 7 December 2011
17Percent is an organisation to support and promote UK based female playwrights.
To find out more about 17Percent - please visit http://17percent.wordpress.com
We are grateful to the Horsebridge Centre for supporting this new writing initiative.
Time: Doors 7.15pm, show starts 7.30pm. Finish time: 9.30pm
Where: Chives cafe, Horsebridge Centre, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1AF.
When: 12 October + 7 December 2011
17Percent is an organisation to support and promote UK based female playwrights.
To find out more about 17Percent - please visit http://17percent.wordpress.com
We are grateful to the Horsebridge Centre for supporting this new writing initiative.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)