Play Time!
When the Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays started out in 2017, the founder and visionary of the festival, John Dowson I'm sure had aspirations of it becoming an internationally recognized festival, but likely even he didn't envision its growth in recognition and notoriety in such a short period of time! Even in losing 2020 to covid, and then being attendance restricted the following one in 2021 still didn't stunt its growth, with the festival organizers adding online streamimg to increase the festival's profile and audience numbers in spite of those obstacles - and to the delight of the international and Canada-wide dwelling playwrights - then enabled to view their creations coming to life on stage while tuning in from as far away as Australia! The festival typically runs over 3 evenings in early September 8 - 11th with a Sunday, with a young person themed daytime matinee show added for 2022. Of course, before there can even be a show, a call for submissions had to go out and the festival is now winding down its reception of those hopefuls.
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| Robert Mcneely - Room For Cream |
This year the Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays has added a youth element to its submission stable by being committed to presenting one performance matinee show for Young Audiences (TYA).This idea was inspired by an entry in 2021 by local award winning journalist and author of 3 books, turned playwright, Rod Urquhart, whose play adaptation (Gilda) of a children's book, Gilda The Princess (also written by a beloved long time Newmarket resident, Olie Madsen) was well received. And this new addition will now provide a wonderful opportunity for emerging playwrights - and hopefully youthful ones - to have their one act plays presented to paying live and streaming audiences locally and worldwide!
Gilda's 22 year old Director, Kira Rosenbloom will also be offering up a series of online workshops for any youths looking to hone their theatrical creative skills - from writing, to acting, to directing - which the hope is to inspire a future generation of performing arts enthusists and maybe even some future stars! To be kept informed on the workshops please follow the link to stay in the registration loop or connect on Instagram! Watch for Kira on the Out & About Town, Newmarket Pickering College radio show, Tues March 15 @ 6PM and Sun 20th at 11AM @102.7 Chop FM. Photos by Scottie Luk
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| Carol Ann Matus - The Book Club Thief |
Hey Youth!
If you'd like to enter a youthful creation for 2022, please submit your one act play to submissions@oneactplayfestival.com and visit the website for more information.
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| Robert Mcneely, Laurie Laing, Lee Elson |
The Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays is supported by The Very Useful Theatre Company, a registered charity which's mission is to facilitate and promote local live theatre arts opportunities as well as raise funds for great causes like the Newmarket Food Pantry!