LITERARY DEPARTMENT "For a playwright, EST is the light at the beginning of the tunnel." - Michael Brady "The Ensemble Studio Theatre, the place that did my first plays, was without prejudice. It really was a home." - Eduardo Machado EVALUATION PROCESS The Ensemble Studio Theatre accepts unsolicited manuscripts of all lengths, as well as solicited plays from members and non-members, year round. On average we receive 2000 scripts annually. A self-addressed, stamped envelope must be included with submissions in order to facilitate the response process. Each submission to the EST Literary Deptartment is read twice and evaluated by members of the literary staff. Every playwright then receives notification of the Ensemble's intent. On average, one third of the submissions receive a favorable response either by letter or phone call, at which time playwrights are informed of EST's interest in developing their work (or are encouraged to submit new works). One-act plays will be considered for EST's annual Marathon one-act festival. 100 finalists are chosen every year, 12 of them are produced in the Marathon on the EST Main Stage, and subsequently published in the annual anthology. Applicants whose scripts are received by the December 15 deadline will be notified by April for the May/June Marathon. The guiding principles for the Literary Department are originality, artistic merit, skill, technique and the potential for growth. In addition, we ask that plays be typed in a basic playwriting format, including character names centered and stage directions italicized. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES All submitted plays should: List the playwright's name, address, and phone number on the title page of the manuscript. Enclose a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) for our reply. If you would like your script returned, please include a large enough envelope and proper postage (keep in mind the processing time, and be mindful of pending postage increases). To be considered for The MARATHON, ONE-ACT plays should be: At least ten minutes No more than 50 minutes Received by our office no later than December 15 Plays may be submitted to: LITERARY DEPARTMENT The Ensemble Studio Theatre 549 West 52nd Street New York, NY 10019