Christopher Brian Wolk Playwrighting Award
Honoring the Memory of a Truly Unique Talent
$1,000 To Be Presented Annually
Background
Christopher Brian Wolk was a talented and creative actor, musician, singer, writer and composer who died in an accident while visiting Glacier National Park, Montana. To honor his memory, Abingdon Theatre Company
and the Wolk family have created the Christopher Brian Wolk Award. Christopher worked extensively with Abingdon in both the workshop and the Mainstage Productions of Zona, the Ghost of Greenbrier, the staged reading of Floodwatch, and in-house readings of the Debating Society and The Weight of Breath.
At other NYC theatres he appeared in Delicious Vaudeville, Girls We Have Known, The Drummer Must Die, and Poor Fellas, which has been published by Dramatists' Play Service and is dedicated to Chris's memory. He also developed his own work, Sons of Katherine, as well as numerous short films. A graduate of Marquette University, he interned at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre performing in the Merchant of Venice and Sex, Death and Friday Night at Theatre X.
The Award
In an ongoing effort to recognize excellence in playwriting, the award is presented annually to an American writer of a new, full-length play. The award is based upon the writer's demonstrated ability to reach a mature artistic vision using theatre. This is yet another way in which Abingdon supports theatrical work, while honoring the memory of a great actor and true friend.
The winner receives a $1,000 cash award and a staged reading of the script at the award ceremony held in our June Havoc Theatre in Manhattan’s Mid-town Fashion District.
SELECTION PROCESS
The literary department selects the initial pool of scripts from all those submitted during the year-long submission cycle.
A three-person Nominating Committee, including the Literary Manager, reviews the selected pool of scripts to nominate nine finalists.
A Selection Committee is comprised of Jan Buttram, Artistic Director, three respected theatre professionals and a member of the Wolk family review the nine finalists and chose the winning script.
Submission Guidelines:
- You are an American citizen or have permanent resident status.
Your script has a running time of at least 75 minutes.
The script has not been produced in New York City for critical review.
Cast requires no more than eight (8) actors; character doubling is fine.
A printed copy of the entire script is required.
We do not accept scripts by email.
Do not send sample pages or treatments.
Be sure to include: name, address, phone and email address.
The script must be bound, e.g. brass fasteners, 3-prong folders or spiral binding, etc. - binder clips are NOT acceptable.
A full character breakdown, if roles are doubled, include how the roles are doubled
A short synopsis
Your writing bio
Development and/or production history of the script if applicable.
Include a SASE if you want your materials returned
Note: All correspondence is by email. If you do NOT have an email address, you must include a SAS postcard or envelope to receive a receipt acknowledgement.
Also keep in mind:
- Playwrights may submit one and only one script for each of our submission cycles from June 2 one year to June 1 the next, e.g., June 2, 2008 to June 1, 2009.
Scripts are considered only once for the Christopher Brian Wolk Award.
Scripts that are an adaptation of copyrighted materials or incorporate copyrighted materials, must include a statement stating that the playwright has obtained the rights to use such material.
We do not consider musicals
Submit your script to:
Kim T. Sharp, Literary Manager
Abingdon Theatre Company
312 West 36th Street, Sixth Floor
New York, NY 10018-7570
Finalists:
Playwrights chosen as finalists will be asked to submit additional copies of the chosen work for evaluation by the Selection Committee without identifying markings (your name or your address, etc.).
Winners receive:
A $1,000 cash prize.
A staged reading of the script at the award ceremony held in our June Havoc Theatre in Manhattan’s Mid-town Fashion District.
The winning playwright agrees to mention Abingdon Theatre Company and the Christopher Brian Wolk Award in any subsequent literature/programs of future development and/or productions.
