Mundelein Arts Commission to host writing contests
For the third time, the Mundelein Arts Commission will sponsor two writing contests for anyone who lives or works in Lake County: one short story contest and one 10-minute play competition.
The short-story writing theme will be "Nature," with writers interpreting this concept however they choose. The theme could have to do with the natural world or human nature as the story's focus, setting or background.
Entrants should keep in mind that this is a fiction contest, and any other form - creative nonfiction, essay or memoir - will not be considered. Any fiction genre is welcome, but literary quality must be the top priority.
Writers should avoid gratuitous gore, sex and violence, and entrants will be judged on the use of fiction elements, including theme, language usage, tone, voice and structure.
Stories will be judged on the elements of fiction, including plot, conflict, character, point of view, setting, theme, language, narrative devices (dialogue, foreshadowing, irony, suspense), tone/voice, conventions (spelling, punctuation) and structure/organization. Stories are to be no more than 3,000 words, and the deadline is Aug. 3.
The 10-minute play contest gives playwrights - both aspiring and experienced - the opportunity to see their original work produced in a workshop environment. There is no specific theme, though plays must run no longer than 13 minutes. Playwrights are encouraged to submit shows with small casts and minimal technical requirements. Deadline for plays is also Aug. 3.
Cash prizes will be awarded for both contests. In addition, the MAC will publish story winners and honorable mentions in the third edition of the anthology Mundelein Writes. Participants are advised to obtain and follow the necessary rules, information and entry form by contacting jlee@email.mundelein.org.
Winning playwrights will also have the chance to see their show produced for a public showing, tentatively set for Oct. 11. The commission is also seeking anyone interested in directing the winning plays, as well as actors to perform.
The judge for the short story contest will be Mundelein's Richard Thomas, the award-winning author of three novels, three short story collections and more than 140 stories in print, and the editor of four anthologies. View more information at his site, www.whatdoesnotkillme.com.
The judge for the 10-minute plays will be Sheri Storer Warren, a local actor, director and drama teacher who has worked extensively throughout Chicagoland since 2003. Before that, she was a unit leader for the repertory company Covenant Players, where she appeared in and directed more than 100 short plays.
Anyone interested in either contest is encouraged to get the rules, information and entry form at www.mundelein.org/mac or email jlee@email.mundelein.org.