Playwrights' Page

General Tips

Scripts for the one-acts are due about two weeks into Fall term. See Important Dates for the exact day. (See below for tips on how to prepare a script for submission.)

Remember that your play must be a true one-act. This means a running time of an hour, absolute maximum. We have rejected very good scripts in the past for being too long. (Reading your play out loud is the best way to get a feel for its running time, but -- depending on number of set changes, style and mood, etc. -- you can guess that 5000-8000 words is about an hour.)

Also remember that students will be directing and designing your play. See this page for more information on designs.

Recently, we've been getting several good scripts every year, but relatively few directors' proposals. In fact, some of our favorite scripts didn't make it into the production because no one wanted to direct them. It is in your interest to look around now for several people who might want to direct your play. Director eligibility requirements are here.

You may be interested in reading some scripts for one-acts from recent years; check out our archive page.

Are you still confused about the process of submitting a one-act?
Email us at ds_officers.

Script Submission

Playwrights submit one copy of their script to Dramashop. This copy becomes the property of Dramashop for evaluation purposes and will not be returned. (We will not redistribute your script without your specific permission.) Submit your script now!

Playwrights must be MIT students during the term in which they submit a play.

Each script must be typed. Please follow these guidelines when preparing your script:

* Cover page. The cover page should have the name of your play, your name, and ways of contacting you (email in particular) -- but nothing else.
* Inner cover. The inner cover should have the name of your play (and possibly other things), but not your name.
* List of characters. List the characters. Some people also give information about the characters here ("Bob is blonde, 29, and ready for anything"), but it's not required.
* Single spaced.
* Two-sided/one-sided. Either is fine.
* Layout. There are many ways to lay out the script. For example:

CHARACTER 1
I suck, Brutus. I suck so much that it is generally acknowledged by all and sundry.

BRUTUS
You suck?

[CHARACTER 1 exits and sucks]

Or:

CHARACTER 1. I suck, Brutus. I suck so much that it is generally acknowledged by all and sundry.
BRUTUS. You suck?
(CHARACTER 1 exits and sucks)

Any reasonable method is fine. We prefer the second method, as it results in fewer pages.
* Binding. We will be making copies of the script you submit. Any binding you provide will just be ripped off so we can use the auto-feeder on the copy machines. Either staple your play, or use a clip if it is too thick for staples.
* PostScript file (optional). Make a PostScript or PDF file containing your play available in your Public directory on Athena. (Write its filename on the cover page.) We will put this file on our homepage for download within MIT -- you'll reach more directors this way. This is not mandatory; if you don't want an electronic copy of your play online, please let us know.