The search is on: Calling for playwrights and directors

By Amanda Doucette

Truro’s One Act Play Festival is searching for local playwrights and directors for this year’s productions.

“We want to make theatre accessible for those who maybe haven’t tried theatre before,” said Jennifer Johnson, founder of the One Act Play Festival.

The festival focuses on short, one-act plays, anywhere from one minute to an hour, Johnson said.

“Even if you’ve only ever had a little bit of interest in theatre,” Johnson said. “It’s great because it’s not the commitment of an entire show.”

Johnson says theatre gives you a way to socialize with people who like the same activities as you.

“We have to create communities in different ways. It gets you connected with new friends and small circles who share your interests.”

All levels of theatre experience are welcome. Johnson has a drama degree so even if a play submitted needs some editing, there is lots of room for improvement, she said.

“We’re all amateurs, no one’s getting paid here.”

This year’s festival takes place Sept. 22-24, but searching for the plays now gives the organizers time to prepare and feature the best productions, said Johnson.

“If you’re not sure about it and you have interest in theatre, just send us an email and we can chat.”

This is the third annual festival, and over the years they’ve produced seven original plays from Truro playwrights.

However, you don’t have to write the play. The festival is open to previously published work if a director would like to produce it, said Johnson.

Previously, the festival produced a variation of Where the Wild Things are.

The organization generally tries to devote at least one show for kids, but they are open to all genres of theatre.

The early-bird deadline of May 30 lets organizers sort through the productions, filtering the best choices. The final deadline for submissions is July 1, when auditions for actors begin.