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(we really mean it this time)

Chicago Christmas Spectacular

A Reasonable Facsimile Theatre Company (ARFTCo.) is calling for plays for their second annual Christmas play festival.  Last year Time Out Chicago said that, "presented as a compilation of plays chosen from nationwide submissions—and inspired by ARFTCo.’s ensemble’s personal Christmas photos—this BYOB buffet offers a lot."  The ARFTCo. ensemble members have gathered all new pictures inspired by their memories of the holiday season in the Windy City. 

Here’s our process:

Step 1:  All ensemble members were asked to submit pictures to the Artistic Director.  The pictures could be from personal albums or any other outside source.  The pictures should reflect their memories of the Chicago Christmas season; even if they don’t celebrate it can be pretty hard to ignore the lights, the consumer gluttony, the merriment, all that caroling.  Pictures are then put into the ARFTCo. Holiday Memory Bank.

Step 2:  ARFTCo. will accept solicitations from writers who will choose a picture as the inspiration for a short play.  This year we have two categories, the one-minute play and the short one-act (approximately 15 minutes in length).  Plays must be previously unpublished and inspired by the photos from the ARFTCo. Memory Bank.  Last year’s festival included parodies, period-pieces, monologues, political satire and an existential look at the Chicago Christmas season as seen through the plastic eyes of the Marshall Field’s window characters. DEADLINE IS JULY 21, 2008.

Step 3:  From the submitted scripts, the Artistic Director will select which scripts will be presented in the show.  All playwrights who submit plays will be notified about script selection for the festival.  There are no fees.

Step 4:  Playwrights, click here to submit plays

Any Questions?  Email Michael Buino.

PHOTOS: (from top) Think Tanks by Isabella Russell Ides, Office Party Pick-up by Isabella Russell Ides, Holiday Jihad by Al Pergande , Even Christmas Beer Needs Some Lovin’ by Liz Hoffman*, Christmas Jew by Mike Spiegel*,  Zombie Christmas by Dan Caffrey.