I've had a couple of requests to give more information on writing for the amateur theater market. It's not as lucrative as writing for TV and film but if you write a play that is popular your royalties can add up over the years. When I lived in Los Angeles, I met an escapee from network television who made a good living writing these kinds of plays--but he was very prolific and had done his homework regarding what this market wants.
To give you some general guidelines, typically the plays that do well have these characteristics: * more female roles than male roles * medium to large size cast (8 and up) * ensemble pieces rather than just one starring role * nothing too depressing--happy endings preferred Don't feel that you must conform to these, they're just guidelines.
Warning: read this entire post:
One place you can submit material is NODA, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (UK). It was founded in 1899 and is the main representative body for amateur theater in the UK, with about 2500 member amateur/community theater groups. (You don't have to live in the UK to submit your work.)
They are open to all kinds of submissions: musical theater, dramatic plays, adaptations of classics, etc. The only category they don't handle is experimental, avant-garde type of scripts. It can be a new work or have been produced previously. It can be for a large cast or small, modern or historical, comedy or drama. They do say that musicals are the most popular and so are contemporary pieces that appeal to young people.
Their usual deal is that they collect between 12.5 and 15% of the box office returns. They keep 30% of what they collect and you get the other 70%.
You can get more information about submitting work by emailing membership services manager Dale Freeman: [email protected]
Update: I wrote to Dale and here is his response, which I received a few minutes ago:
"Due to a wealth of recent additions and submissions, until further notice we are not accepting any more scripts into our range. The response to the requesting of new works has been overwhelming and we have struggled, not only to review the many works submitted, but also currently struggling to establish any of the new works. Until such time as we do begin to generate any income for the authors and ourselves then we will not be taking anything new into our catalogue. I’m sorry I cannot be more helpful at this time Jurgen but I thank you for contacting NODA and wish you every success with your work."
OK, so we put NODA on the back burner! I
I will be looking into more promising places that you can submit--watch this space!
(For more tips on all kinds of writing, see my site, www.TimeToWrite.com. If you're interested in screenwriting, also check out my newest site, www.ScreenWritingSuccess.com.)
