On Your Feet
Frequently Asked Questions
What is our mission statement?
The Edge Theater Company, Lakewood’s only resident theatre, supports local artists with respect
and integrity to produce quality, diverse programming by nurturing a creative environment that
supports established, recent and premiere works.
How will my play be work-shopped?
All submissions will be narrowed down to a selection of semi-finalists which will receive at least
one workshop of a scene, On Your Feet style. For more information about our On Your Feet
Program, please visit our website: www.theedgetheater.com/onyourfeet.html
3 finalists will receive further On Your Feet sessions and at least 25 hours of rehearsal in preparation for a Workshop Presentation of their play to run for one weekend each week throughout the festival.
What is a Workshop Presentation?
A Workshop Presentation includes the play produced with basic lights, sounds, props, and
set pieces. Actors may or may not be off book depending on how many re-writes occur and
by when they receive a final script. Auditions will be held, there will be at least 25 hours of
rehearsals (if needed) and each play will have its own director and dramaturg. There will also
be a moderated discussion about the play with the audience following each session, led by the
dramaturg. Following the discussion audience members will be asked to vote on whether they’d
like to see a full production of the play.
Why is it recommended that I reside in the Denver area?
The goal of the festival is to select a new play and give it legs—put it on its feet, if you will.
This involves rehearsal time and potential re-writes based on the discoveries made in process.
It is important for the playwright to commit to attending all On Your Feet sessions (a minimum
of 1 session for the semi-finalists and a minimum of 2 sessions plus some rehearsals for the 3
finalists), as well as at least one evening of performance during the festival to hear audience
feedback.
If a playwright lives outside the Denver area, he/she may still submit, but must plan to travel to the theatre at all required times at their own expense.
Is my play eligible if it has been produced before?
Plays that have been fully mounted before are not eligible. We are looking for new plays that
are in earlier stages of development; that have not had design elements applied. It should be at
a point where the writer is done writing and wants to “hear” it, but is willing to still work on it
as rehearsals may dictate. We are not excluding things that have been previously developed in
another reading or workshop or at a university, but are primarily looking for something that The
Edge and the finalists can further develop together.
If I am selected, will I receive compensation?
There is a public Workshop Presentation of the play for all 3 finalists and then one play may be
selected for a full production in an upcoming Edge season. A cash prize (amount TBD) may also
be offered for the winner of the Festival instead of a production.
If I am selected as a finalist, will I be invited to the On Your Feet workshops?
You are required to attend all workshops as possible (no more than 3 throughout the year)
and attend at least one of the final Workshop Presentations. The Edge is not responsible for
reimbursing you for any necessary travel or hotel expenses.
What is the time frame of the Workshop Presentations?
It is the goal of The Edge to work on several scenes a month from plays that are semi-finalists.
We will then select the 3 finalists in September of 2014 and continue to work on them until
the Presentations. We will produce a Workshop Presentation of 1 play per week for a 3 week
period TBD in 2014. We will then fully produce one play selected from those 3 finalists during
upcoming season at The Edge or award a cash prize instead.
Why was my submission rejected?
In addition to the script, we ask that you include all of the requested information found in our
submission guidelines. We expect a lot of submissions, so please read the information carefully
to avoid being disqualified.
What about copyright?
The text of the play will remain at all times the property/copyright of the playwright. The Edge
will require 1) listing in all future publications and programs, 2) that no other Presentations take
place between our first and last workshop/reading, and 3) a right of first refusal for the selected
play and runner up following the final Workshop Presentation. Details to be negotiated in good
faith upon being a finalist.
What will be expected of the finalist playwrights?
Though we are happy to receive all eligible scripts, we are looking for someone who is also
interested in accompanying The Edge on this journey. We look forward to developing a
relationship with both the play and the playwright. We are eager to share a fantastic new play to
as broad a global audience as possible.
PLEASE NOTE: The Edge reserves to the right to refuse production to any play deemed not ready for the Workshop Presentation Performance timeframe or where the relationship with the playwright is no longer in good faith.