UK Department of Theatre: James W. Rodgers Playwriting Competition

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The 2009-2010 James Rodgers Playwriting Competition winner is Aleks Merilo's "Blur in the Rear View". First runner-up was Brenton Lengel's "Appalachian Trail". "Blur in the Rear View" will premiere in the UK Briggs Theatre February 18 - 28, 2010. tickets
Named for professor emeritus, James W. Rodgers, this competition continues to grow with scripts submitted from across the country and around the world. Lexington, Kentucky’s culturally rich atmosphere offers a consummate opportunity for young playwrights to premiere their work. Above photo of Jeremy Jarmon (left) and Alex Koehl (right) from a scene of “Weak / Side / Help” written by Andrew Shafer, the winner of the James W. Rodgers Playwriting Competition 2007. Playwriting Competition Rules and Guidelines James W. Rodgers Playwriting Competition Application


Plays submitted must be the original work of the playwright (adaptations and translations will not be considered) and must be previously unpublished and never fully produced (plays that have been developed in readings/workshops will be considered). Only one play per applicant will be considered. Competition is open to playwrights who are 30 years old or younger by the deadline date. Candidates must indicate their birth date in the application form. Candidates born before June 1, 1978 are ineligible. In considering the plays, the adjudication committee will follow Dr. Rodgers desire that plays should "reflect creativity, discipline and insight…celebrating the human spirit and its potential."


Competition Winner: Full production in the Spring 2010 University of Kentucky Theatre Season (February/March 2010) and the playwright will receive a $500 honorarium. Finalists: May receive a staged reading in the Spring of 2010.


Submit 2 bound copies of script (each script should contain a title page with your name and contact info and a character breakdown page) along with the application form completely filled out. Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) if you want your script returned. Mail To: Rodgers Playwriting Competition Department of Theatre - University of Kentucky 114 Fine Arts Building Lexington, KY 40506-0022 Submission Deadlines: Competition is closed. The Adjudication Committee reserves the right not to award one or more of the prizes if the committee determines that plays submitted are unworthy of an award. Playwriting Competition Rules and Guidelines James W. Rodgers Playwriting Competition Application


“The UK Rodgers Playwrighting Competition was a wonderful experience for me. It is incredibly helpful and encouraging that a competition like this exists for playwrights in the early part of their career. I found the production of my work, “Weak/Side/Help” to be first- rate and an illuminating experience. As a recent college graduate, I was greatly impressed with the professionalism of the cast, crew, and staff for this production. One aspect to this competition that I never anticipated was the press coverage; it was really exciting for me to see articles, interviews, and television news stories about my play. Most important, I was fortunate enough to spend a week observing the rehearsal process which enabled me to make substantial revisions to my work. I believe these revisions were crucial for the forward trajectory of this particular play, and my overall career as a playwright.” “It was also very helpful to have the guidance and support of such individuals as Herman Farrell, Rick St. Peter, and Nancy Jones. Each of these individuals offered different professional perspectives that I know to be crucial for any young, aspiring playwright. I would highly recommend playwrights under the age of 30 to submit their work to this wonderful competition. The University of Kentucky works tremendously hard to insure that the production is of excellent quality, and gets all the attention it deserves. Moreover, the staff and students of UK are incredibly welcoming and dedicated to insuring that it is an incredibly positive experience for the playwright. I have taken so many positive lessons from this competition that I know will serve me very well in the future. There is no doubt in my mind that future winners will be more than impressed with how exciting, and informative the UK Rodgers Playwrighting Competition can be in aiding the ignition of an early career in playwrighting.” Weak Side/Help Season: Spring 2007 - 2008 Article & Photos “As the first James Rodgers Playwriting award winner, I was given the opportunity to breath excitement into my story that was finally being heard. Bringing The Noise In The Room script to life on the beautiful Guignol Theatre stage was a more rewarding experience than I had ever imagined! Collaborating with talented individuals and sharing this dynamic and empowering story with the Lexington, Kentucky community helped build confidence in my skills as a writer.” “Having the support system of a cast, director, designers, and other theater professionals was priceless. While my work was being produced, my ideas blossomed into a magnificent production that would not have been realized on my own. The James Rodgers Playwriting Award has proven to be a cornerstone of my artistic career.” The Noise in the Room Season: Spring 2005 - 2006 Article

For more information contact: Department of Theatre 114 Fine Arts Building Lexington, KY 40506 (859) 257-3297 rebecca.amsler@uky.edu

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