COLLABORATION LABORATORY

Launched in 1985, SCR's Collaboration Laboratory, or Colab, is an integrated play development program employing diverse strategies to aid playwrights in creating new work:

Playwright Commissions are SCR's most effective means of supporting writers and developing long-term relationships with them. Three Days of Rain by Richard Greenberg, Brooklyn Boy by Donald Margulies, Golden Child by David Henry Hwang, and The Beard of Avon by Amy Freed were all successful productions of SCR commissions. The following are some of the writers who currently have commissions from SCR:

Jill Clayburgh and Adam Arkin in rehearsal for the staged reading of Richard Greenberg’s Our Mother’s Brief Affair at the 10th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival.

NewSCRipts is a developmental staged reading series, which allows playwrights to hear their work read in front of an audience, receive feedback and work closely with SCR's literary staff for further development. Participation is by invitation for projects submitted according to the procedures outlined below. Read more about NewSCRipts.

The Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF) annually presents 6-8 new plays in readings, workshops and productions during a three-day period. Audiences consist of local playgoers and representatives from theatres nationwide. Participation is by invitation for projects submitted according to the procedures outlined below. The 12th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival will take place May 1-3, 2009. Read more about PPF.

Submission procedures. SCR accepts submissions for full-length plays, musicals, translations and adaptations and works for young audiences (around fourth grade level). Unproduced plays are considered for possible inclusion in the NewSCRipts series and the Pacific Playwrights Festival, as well as for production on SCR stages.

Playwrights with professional representation may have their agents send full manuscripts at any time. Please note that lawyers and law firms do not qualify as "professional representation" in this venue.

Playwrights who are not working with agents may send a query letter, brief synopsis, complete list of characters and ten-page dialogue sample to:

Literary Department
South Coast Repertory
P. O. Box 2197
Costa Mesa, CA 92628-2197

After reviewing your query, we will let you know whether or not we wish to read the entire script. Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if materials are to be returned. Unsolicited scripts will not be reviewed.

Please note:
We do not accept materials submitted electronically.