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Black and Latino Playwrights Conference

A workshop and showcase of the work of student and professional Black and Latino playwrights, conducted by professional guest directors / artists.

The Department of Theatre and Dance annually sponsors a Black and Latino Playwrights Conference that includes professional guest directors and actors, auditions, 3-5 days of open rehearsals, and in-class presentations by professional guests artists, culminating with staged reading performances open to the campus and community.

The mission of Texas State University’s Black and Latino Playwrights Conference is to study the craft, to nurture the artist, and to celebrate multicultural theatre.

Black & Latino Playwrights Conference 2012

program 2012

Black & Latino Playwrights Conference 2011

flyer

Click on this flyer to get more information from the Department of Theatre and Dance's Website!

EVENTS

  1. Staged Readings - Admission Cost for Readings: $3.00
  • Friday 7:00 PM
  • Saturday 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
  • Sunday 2:00 PM

      2.  Talk back sessions with guest playwrights and artists

      3.  Panel Discussions and conference paper presentations

      4.  Open Rehearsals: Monday - Friday 6 - 10 PM 

OBJECTIVES

  • To provide Texas State University students majoring in theatre with the opportunity to work with professionals for a hands-on week-long lab that includes the collaborative process of “finding a play” in rehearsals, culminating with a public staged reading.
  • To showcase the work of Black and Latino  playwrights from across the country.
  • To annually lend an ear to new voices and help writers, in collaboration with directors, actors, and dramaturgs, shape their stories and hone their craft in an environment that allows the writer to explore and grow and learn fearlessly.
  • To share the play with the campus and community in a staged reading for audiences followed by discussion and/or questions and answers.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF SCRIPTS

  • Only unproduced and unpublished scripts are eligible for consideration.
  • The scripts should be written by a Black or Latino playwright.
  • The scripts should include a synopsis and character list.
  • The playwrights are expected to attend the rehearsals and at least one of the performances.
  • Only scripts submitted prior to the deadline will be considered.
  • Playwrights from across the country may submit scripts.
  • Manuscripts should be typed in the standard play format and must include contact information.
  • Include a stamped self-addressed envelope if you wish your manuscript returned.

CALL FOR WORKSHOP AND/OR CONFERENCE
PAPER PROPOSALS

  1. Send workshop proposals addressing playwriting, producing, and publishing.
  2. Send conference papers (20 minutes) on Black and Latino playwrights and their work--historical and/or critical.

DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF SCRIPTS

The deadline for submission of scripts is on April 15th. A script postmarked by the deadline date is acceptable. Play scripts may be delivered by regular mail, in person, or e-mail. By June 15th, notification is sent to the author of the selected work and to all who submitted scripts.  Deadlines are the same for workshop and conference paper proposals.  Click HERE for submission address.

GUEST ARTISTS

1. Housing: The university provides for all guest artists and directors from out of town.
2. Stipends:  The selected playwrights receive a $1000 stipend.
3. Travel Expenses: Airfare or mileage is covered by the university.

CONFERENCE STAFF
Artistic Director...........................................Eugene Lee
Asst. Artistic Director..................................Joe Luis Cedillo
Producers...................................................Dr. John Fleming
Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance......Dr. Sandra Mayo Director, Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies

Send Manuscripts To:

Department of Theatre & Dance
Texas State University-San Marcos
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
Attn: Black & Latino Playwrights
or e-mail to: el18@txstate.edu

 

Quotes From Previous Artists:

“The creative imagination and beauty of new work are in play in Texas as the professional world collaborates
with the academic in a unique and promising way. ”

                                ~Kenny Leon
Director,True Colors Theatre Company
Atlanta, GA

 

“The week in San Marcos working with an astute director and open actors made for a fulfilling and clarifying experience. I came away with a better understanding of where I was headed with this script.”

~Robert Alexander
Playwright, Washington, D.C.

 

"The Black and Latino Playwrights Conference provided me with one of the best writing experiences of my life."

                                                                                                                                                       ~Antoinette Winstead,                                                                                                                                    Playwright, San Antonio,TX

 

"The artists that artistic directors Eugene Lee and Joe Cedillo brought together for my project made me wish I could make an annual retreat to San Marcos, Texas to rework my words. What a huge benefit it would be to have such a delicious opportunity every summer."
                                                                                                                                                               ~Elaine Romero,                                                                                                                                        Playwright, Tucson, AZ

 

"The conference was a great opportunity to not only perform but to teach the students. It is nice to give back to the community by sharing one's experience with those who are just getting ready to leave the nest and who will be off into the world of the arts."
                                                                                                                                         ~Ruben Gonzales
                                                                                                              Professional Actor, Los Angeles, CA

 

"The excitement of the week is bolstered by professional directors/actors, theatre majors, and community artists working diligently to breathe energy into a new creative life. It's fun; it's hard work; it's very rewarding. It's a hellava  great week!"

                                                                                                                                                ~Stephen Gerald
                                                                                                                                                          Professor / Director                                                                                                                                             University of Texas at Austin                                           

 

 Slashes of Light                                   The Bonobos

 

 by Judy Tate                                                        by Ampara Garcia Crow

 2009                                                                    2009

                   The Giver                                               Beastly Beauty 

                       by Kim Dunbar                                                     by Paco Jose Madden

                       2008                                                                     2008

Common Ground                                     Before Death Comes for the Archbishop

 

  by Antoinette Winstead                                         by Elaine Romero
            
  2007                                                                      2007

 

 Yo Frederick!                                              The Faraway Nearby

by Gus Edwards                                                         by Amparo Garcia Crow

2006                                                                            2006

 

 

 

 Forty Acres                                                   69 Protraits of Che

by Robert Alexander                                                     by Joe Luis Cedillo
            
2005                                                                              2005

 

 

 

The Peculiar and Sudden Nearness of the Moon

by Velina Hasu Houston

2004

                   Fear Itself                                                     Somebody Called

by Eugene Lee                                                            by Eugene Lee

2003                                                                            2002

                        For directions to the theatre center, refer to http://www.maps.txstate.edu/thea.html

For more information call 512-245-2147 or
e-mail el18@txstate.edu or mcgs@txstate.edu
Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies
Lampasas 303; Phone: (512)245-2361