Better check your archives
You could never go wrong witnessing a classic theatrical play. From the life of Dr. Jose Rizal depicted in Noli Me Tangere to the story of injustice in Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio, plays such as these are always worth revisiting thanks to their timeless themes and the lessons they are ready to give. Or, at times, merely for the pure enjoyment they offer.
But in order to keep the life of local theater alive, new stories penned by modern writers must be brought on the stage. That’s where the annual Virgin Labfest (VLF) comes in, championing a new breed of playwrights and their unpublished, unstaged, untried, and untested works.
For its 17th edition, VLF 2022 is looking for 12 new plays. To qualify, plays must adhere to the following:
- All entries should be a one-act play, (maximum running time: 40 minutes)
- All submitted works not have previously been published in book form, staged commercially for more than two performances (staged readings, one-time workshop productions are allowed), and awarded any literary or drama recognition in competitions and the like.
- Works may be in Filipino, English, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, or Ilocano (Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Ilocano works must have accompanying Filipino translation). Entries in other Filipino languages/dialects will also be considered based on availability and capability of performers.
- The festival is open to various themes and genres.
The deadline for submission is on 12 midnight of Feb. 28, 2021. The chosen plays will be formally announced in June during the VLF 16, which will showcase the plays streamed in 2020 (VLF Kapit) that will be mounted on stage.
Script submissions may be sent online in .doc or .pdf format only to [email protected].
Dedicated to bring nothing but fresh stories on the stage since 2005, The Virgin Labfest is the annual theatrical celebration of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), together with its resident theater company Tanghalang Pilipino and Manila-based playwrights’ organization Writer’s Bloc, Inc.
Facebook: @thevirginlabfest