Prague Playwriting Contest 2010

Prague houses the Czech Republic’s seat of government and institutions, but it is also the capital of culture and arts. Again this year, Prague’s cultural events are shaping up to make it a buzz of activity. The Expats.cz & Prague TV Prague Playwriting Contest, now in it’s fourth year, was announced in September 2009. The aim is to provide a forum where playwrights working in English in the Czech Republic can have their work recognized and be given a voice. The Prague Playwriting Contest is open to any playwright writing in English (including Czech and other non-native speakers), who either lives or has lived in the Czech republic.

“The contest is a great way for both beginning as well as experienced playwrights to get their work out,” says BRIAN CASPE, the artistic director of the Prague Playhouse, the English-language theater company which produces of the event. “Because we are looking for 30 minute plays, experienced playwrights are free to try out new ideas or methods and beginning playwrights are able to work on their style without needing to produce a full-length play.” Past winners include RICHARD BYRNE, who’s winning play, BURN YOUR BOOKES, went on to receive a production at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center earlier this year.

The Prague Playwriting Contest awards playwrights prizes in three categories: Best Play, the winner of which receives a cash prize; Best Play by a Non-Native Speaker; and the Audience Award, which is voted on by members of the viewing public. The three finalist scripts receive a full production at a Prague theater. The judges, theatre directors, actors and producers will also take part in the playwriting contest. Over 100 scripts were submitted in the inaugural year and last year the performances of the finalist plays hosted over 600 audience members.