Sudbury

STC's 'Opening Acts' will showcase local playwright's work

If you've ever imagined seeing your play professionally produced and staged for the theatre, this might be your shot. The Sudbury Theatre Centre is inviting local writers to submit original works in a project called "Opening Acts."
The Sudbury Theatre Centre is inviting local writers to submit original works to a project called "Opening Acts". (Yvon Theriault/CBC)

If you've ever imagined seeing your play professionally produced and staged for the theatre, this might be your shot. 

The Sudbury Theatre Centre is inviting local writers to submit original works to a project called Opening Acts.

Playwrights are being asked for a complete short story, about 10 to 12 minutes in length, on a northern Ontario story or theme.. The successful pieces will become—as the name would suggest—the opening acts for a main stage production. 

Caleb Marshall is the Artistic Director of the STC.
Caleb Marshall is the Sudbury Theatre Centre's artistic director. (CBC)

"It gives our audience an opportunity to have really, a bonus free show, [and] a bit of a broader experience of the theatre that evening," he said. 

"And it gives local writers and local storytellers an opportunity to be professionally produced." 

Marshall said anyone is welcome to submit to the project, Once a work is selected, it will be developed further with the help of Sudbury group Pat the Dog Theatre Creation. Then, it will be cast with some of the same professional actors appearing in the main stage show. 

Caleb Marshall spoke with CBC Sudbury Morning North radio show host Markus Schwabe​ on Friday, both about Opening Acts, and an adaptation at the STC of Miracle on 34th Streetopening Nov. 21. 

The deadline for submissions is Jan. 13, 2015—but Marshall said he's open to extending that deadline by a week or two. 

Contact the Sudbury Theatre Centre for more information.