Local writers take note: there’s never been a better opportunity to try your hand at play writing. Mendocino College is currently seeking short plays by local authors to be produced on campus this spring.

The new semester is underway at the college, and one of the most exciting events of the college’s Spring theatre season is the annual Festival of New Plays. Once again, theatre professor Reid Edelman will use short plays written by local authors to teach directing and acting students about the joys and challenges of working with new scripts. These plays will be produced in the college’s annual festival at the end of the semester.

This production of student-written scripts is now in its thirteenth year, and the event has become a highlight of the college’s annual theatre season. For the past twelve years, Edelman has worked with English instructor and playwright Jody Gehrman to find and develop student-written plays. Anyone residing in Lake, Sonoma or Mendocino Counties is eligible to submit an original play.

“We clearly have an abundance of talented writers in this area,” says Gehrman, “but only a small percentage of them even think about writing a play. Playwrights aren’t born, they’re coerced by people like us to try it once. After seeing their work produced, most become addicted; it’s a tremendous high to sit in a theater and watch your ideas come to life.”

The deadline for submissions is Valentine’s Day, Sunday February 14, 2016.  There are no limitations in terms of theme or content, but small casts (2-5 characters) and minimal technical requirements are recommended for optimal chances at production. Scripts should have a running time of no longer than ten minutes. Electronic submissions should be saved as PDF files. For more information or to submit your play, contact Jody Gehrman, 468-3150 or jgehrman@mendocino.edu.  You can also mail your play to 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah, CA 95482.