David Mamet Writing Contest

Calling All Playwrights, Scribes, and Budding Dramatists . . .

We are proud to announce that the following winning scripts from the David Mamet Writing Contest will be performed by members of A.C.T.'s world-renowned M.F.A. Program in Fred's Columbia Room, at the American Conservatory Theater, at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13 and on Saturday, November 14.

Winning entries performing on Friday, November 13:

Glenbelly Glen Watson, by Timothy Faust of San Francisco, CA, a lighthearted and surprisingly aggressive exchange between Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson regarding the invention of the telephone
The Corrupt Bargain, by Ellen Cassidy of Palo Alto, CA, a frenetic dispute between Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay in the moments before Clay threw the 1824 presidential election to John Quincy Adams
When Joe Met Sarah, by Peter N. Chumo II of Oakland, CA, a hypothetical predebate exchange between the 2008 vice presidential candidates
31 Degrees, by Megan O'Patry of San Mateo, CA, in which physicist Richard Feynman and Rogers Commission chair William P. Rogers argue about Feynman's decision to issue a minority report regarding the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle
Levene's Concession Speech, by Yolanda Yeb of San Francisco, CA, the forlorn Glengarry Glen Ross salesman's concession speech after a failed bid for city councilman

Winning entries performing on Saturday, November 14:

American Blago, by Joshua Hill of New York, NY, a hilarious glimpse behind the Blagojevich impeachment hearings
Hamilton and Burr, by Elijah Guo of Berkeley, CA, an admittedly "historically inaccurate and politically incorrect" take on the infamous Hamilton-Burr duel
American Idol, by Michael Sachs of Los Angeles, CA, in which John McCain and some trusted advisers reflect upon his running mate selection
Grenada, Granada, by Henry Tenenbaum of San Mateo, CA, a witty tongue twister in which President Reagan clarifies exactly which country he's invading
Paint and Feathers, by Maggie McCally of San Francisco, CA, a conversation between a hard-boiled cobbler and his young apprentice about the impending Boston Tea Party
Sarah Opts Out, by Shirley King of Benicia, CA, a Mametized revision of Sarah Palin's infamous resignation speech

With a style all his own, David Mamet is one of the best-known modern American playwrights. Show A.C.T. your writing skills by submitting a short original work in the style of David Mamet and you'll automatically receive discounted tickets to the West Coast premiere of November, Mamet's newest satire on the buffoonery of presidential politics.

Scripts will be read and judged by members of A.C.T.'s artistic and administrative staff. The ten best scripts will be presented at an open reading by members of A.C.T.'s world-renowned M.F.A. Program in Fred's Columbia Room, at the American Conservatory Theater on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, 2009. Winners will receive two tickets to November on the evening their work will be performed and have their scripts signed by the cast. Winners also have the chance to win tickets to future A.C.T. productions, movies at Landmark Theatres, dinner at Ponzu, and more.

Important Dates:

Submission Deadline
Wednesday, 10/28/09

Selection Date
Friday, 11/6/09

Open Readings
Friday, 11/13/09, and Saturday, 11/14/09

Length, Format, Style, and Characters

One scene, maximum of three pages, plus an introduction

Written as drama, in script form

Maximum of four characters, male or female, any age range

Scenes should be in one of the following styles:

A dramatized famous moment in United States history in the style of Mamet(e.g., the signing of the Declaration of Independence or the Watergate scandal).
A concession speech a Mamet character might give (e.g., Ricky Roma's failed bid for California governor).
An adaptation of a political-themed television show, movie, or play in the Mamet style (e.g., Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or The West Wing as written by Mamet).

Submission Instructions

Submissions must be submitted by email or regular mail.

Email: Mail your scene and the completed cover sheet (download here) to writingcontest@act-sf.org. Be sure to include the following information in the body of your email:

Name
Address
Phone number
Email address
Style of your piece (select one of three listed above)

Regular mail: Print out the cover sheet (download here), attach it to your work, and mail to the address below:

American Conservatory Theater
30 Grant Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94108
Attn.: Mamet Writing Contest

SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT A COMPLETED COVER SHEET WILL NOT BE READ.

Eligibility and Rights

Contest is open to anyone, including A.C.T. staff and conservatory students (except David Mamet himself).

All submissions become the property of A.C.T.

Submissions will not be returned.

If you have questions regarding the events, please contact us at writingcontest@act-sf.org.

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