Columbus Children’s Theatre announces the 2010 Child Writing Project "FUN, FACT or FICTION!" 

Purpose and Theme

    Columbus Children’s Theatre is proud to bring you the 2010 Child Writing Project theme: "Fun, Fact or Fiction!” This year, anything goes! Write us a funny story, one that is full of interesting facts, or even one that is completely make believe. It doesn’t matter what kind of story it is as long as it is creative, one of a kind and actable! Use your imagination to its fullest, but be sure to make the story your own. Whether it is based on fun, fact or fiction, it is up to you to make it the best story ever!

    Our theme is chosen to stimulate the imagination and inspire the student writer to be creative. As it is a broad theme, young authors can be sure that any topic will fit. Teachers are encouraged to submit any exciting piece of writing regardless of content. Please let us be the judge of how it might be staged or worked into the show. 

Submissions must be postmarked by December 31, 2009.

    The show begins touring in March 2010 with the World Premiere TBD. Schools with winning entries receive a discount if they choose to book a performance of the Child Writing Project. Interested schools may also request a writing workshop to help get students started. Workshops run $250, but when booked in conjunction with the Child Writing Project, the workshops are only $175. Please call our offices at (614) 224-6672 and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Process

    Once we receive the submissions, the director of the piece, the CCT Education Director, and the Professional Touring Company members will read each piece and then decide which ones to use in the production. We will choose between 15 and 20 pieces, depending on the length of the pieces chosen. We base the selection on originality, honesty of expression, dramatic interest, stage-ability, and compatibility with other pieces under consideration. Entries may be serious or comical, true or fiction, BUT THEY MUST BE ORIGINAL. Students may base their piece on something they have read, but the content must be original. (A Note to Teachers- all entries will be read, but will not be returned, so please make a copy before you send them in.)

    After we determine the pieces that will be used, the director and the touring company develop a script, stage each piece by adding props, costumes, and scenery in order to bring the story to life on stage. We strive to keep the script as the author has written it. "Fun, Fact or Fiction!" will have it’s premiere in March of 2010 before an invited audience including the student authors, their families, friends, educators and other special dignitaries.

Guidelines

    The project is open to any school age student in grades K through 6, in public, private and home schools. We encourage teachers to discuss with the students the elements of a story - beginning, middle, and end, character development and conflict/ resolution. More advanced writing techniques should be evident in upper grades. Our 2009 Child Writing Project production entitled "Hysterical History!" is available for booking now through January 2010. Schools with winning scripts for “Fun, Fact or Fiction!” are eligible for a discount rate if you decide to book a performance. The show tours to schools in March 2009 through January 2010. All stories selected are printed in the teacher study guide distributed to every school that schedules a performance. Please contact the CCT Office at (614) 224-6672 for further details.

1. Open to students in grades K to 6
2. ALL STORIES MUST BE ORIGINAL
3. Students should create their own title for each piece submitted (please do not use “Fun, Fact or Fiction!” as a title.)
4. The length of the piece may be 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length, although entries kept under one to one and a half pages have a much better chance of selection (read it out loud and time your story).
5. Pieces may be written by individuals or groups. Students may submit more than one entry.
6. The theme is meant to inspire, not restrict content. We want stories, songs, poems or plays, not school reports.
7. Parents and teachers may help edit spelling and grammar, but we ask that the students be the ones to edit content.
8. Stories may be serious or comedic, true or fictional. It is up to you!
9. Please emphasize that our company is comprised of four actors. The actors can play multiple parts, but only 4 characters can be on stage at the same time.
10. Submissions must be legible, either neatly handwritten or typed.
11. Each submission should have a cover sheet attached with the following information:
             a. Story Title
             b. Student's name and grade
             c. Teacher's name
             d. School's complete name, address and phone number
 
Submission Details and Deadline

Submit entries to:

Columbus Children’s Theatre

2007 Child Writing Project

177 E. Naghten St.
Columbus, Oh  43215

(614)224-6673

 
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

Submissions must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2009.
If you have any questions, please call CCT at (614) 224-6673.
 

For over 40 years, CCT has had as its mission to nurture future artists and audiences in the theatre arts.

We offer year-round performances and classes.