Operation Literacy presents
HALE CENTRE THEATRE PRESENTS
Scene from a Script
Writing Contest
Want to see your screenwriting performed by professional Hale Centre Theatre actors?
Teens are invited to submit a well-crafted scene for a play. The goal is to develop an engaging, original scene that captivates the audience with strong character development, compelling dialogue, and a clear conflict or emotional arc. The scene should be a standalone piece, suitable for stage production. Teens are encouraged to work in groups of up to 4 students.
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Submissions Open:
October 15-December 15​
Winners Announced: Saturday, February 22, 2025 at StoryCon.
CONTEST GUIDELINES
Theme:
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The scene must revolve around a central conflict or a pivotal moment between two or more characters.
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Themes are open-ended but should be appropriate for a general audience (i.e., no graphic violence or explicit content).
Word Limit:
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The submission must be no more than 1,200 words.
Format:
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The scene should be written in standard playwriting format, which includes dialogue and stage directions.
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There should be a title page and a 1-page introduction that lists the characters, any set pieces needed, and a paragraph summarizing the entire scene. (This page will not count towards your 1,200 words.)
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The play should be structured like this:
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Character Names in All Caps before dialogue.
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Stage directions in italics or parentheses.
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Dialogue should be clear and natural.
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If you need further assistance with formatting, you can check out this free software: https://dramaqueen.info/dramaqueen-free-lifetime-en/
Eligibility:
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Open to all aspiring playwrights and writers, ages 13 to 19.
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Writers can collaborate in groups of up to 4 teens.
Submissions must be original, previously unpublished works. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.
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JUDGING CRITERIA
Judging Criteria:
Each entry will be awarded 6-30 points total.
Submissions will be evaluated on the following:
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Character Development: (1-5 points)
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Are the characters well-defined? Do they feel realistic and unique?
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Is there clear motivation for their actions and dialogue?
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Conflict & Tension: (1-5 points)
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Is there a compelling conflict driving the scene?
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Does the scene build tension effectively through dialogue and action?
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Dialogue: (1-5 points)
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Is the dialogue natural and engaging?
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Does it reveal something about the characters or advance the plot?
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Creativity & Originality: (1-5 points)
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Is the scene fresh and inventive, offering a new perspective or approach?
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Pacing: (1-5 points)
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Does the scene flow well, with a clear beginning, middle, and end?
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Is the resolution satisfying (whether open-ended or conclusive)?
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Stage Direction, Formatting, & Grammar: (1-5 points)
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Is it formatted according to directions and is the spelling/grammar correct?
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Are there clear and appropriate stage directions included?
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AWARDS
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Hale Centre Theatre will judge the entries and choose the top 3 to perform live onstage at StoryCon with professional Hale actors.
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A first place winner will be announced after these performances.
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Winners will receive a StoryCon trophy.
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Winners Announced: Saturday, February 22, 2025 at StoryCon.