Premiere Stages at Kean University is now accepting submissions for the Bauer-Boucher Kean Student/Alumni Reading Series. Named for long-time Premiere Stages supporters W. John Bauer and Nancy Boucher, this reading series is a competition wherein students or alumni submit playwrights of original ideas. The chosen winner will receive a one-day developmental reading of a new play on Monday, January 25, 2016, with a professional cast and director and a cash award.

The selected unproduced work is chosen because it is considered to be particularly promising; after the winning playwright is selected, it is developed and produced. Premiere Stages commits the entirety of its time, talent and resources to sharing this work with a broad regional audience.

Christine Scarfuto, Producing Associate/Resident Dramaturg for Premiere Stages, states, “This initiative was designed to give Kean [University] students and alumni the opportunity to have their work developed and performed by professional actors in front of a live audience.” Last year's winning play was entitledLetting Go, written by Kean University student Sahirah Johnson.

Playwrights interested must include a trio of materials with their submission: a brief synopsis of the play, a bio or resume and the script. At present, Premiere Stages is not accepting musicals or solo-show submissions; one-act scripts and full lengths will both be considered. There are few guidelines applicants are expected to follow. They are as follows:

• Playwright must be a current student or graduate of Kean University
• Scripts must be original, unproduced works that have not received a professional production
• Playwright must be available for a rehearsal and reading at Kean University on Monday, January 25, 2016

This is a particularly beneficial opportunity for aspiring playwrights. Competitions such as this one and the play festival are designed to offer a professional opportunity for an early career writer in the Kean community. Scarfuto states, “There are very few opportunities for early-career playwrights to develop their work in a professional setting. The winner will be able to continue to refine and develop their script, as well as gain an understanding of the professional play development process.”

It is extraordinary that authors can showcase their pieces and receive feedback and advice for the future. Most importantly, it provides a medium of exposure for the author as these plays are frequently reviewed and scouted by major professionals.

Every year, new playwrights bring their fresh perspectives and ideas to the art form and the community. Any medium of writing is a form of creative expression. In college, where classrooms in which creativity is more or less confined, these extracurricular opportunities are crucial. Through Premiere Stages, Kean University provides a place where students can cultivate the creative areas of their minds that are sometimes neglected in traditional academic settings. In doing this, Kean University is creating well-rounded, innovative and intelligent people.

Scarfuto states, “Professional development opportunities are important for university students across all disciplines and academic majors because it helps students to prepare for their professional lives.”

Premiere Stages is a professional theatre company in residence at Kean University. As an important dimension of the Kean community, Premiere Stages serves various functions. It supports and cultivates the works of emerging and regional playwrights and theatre artists, enhances the specialized training programs at Kean University, actively facilitates relationships between playwrights and theatre professionals and provides educational initiatives for the local and campus communities. Additionally, it is intentionally and consistently aware of the diversity on campus. Much of what Premiere Stages does commits to serving the cultural needs of New Jersey through the development and production of high-quality theatre. By embracing their culturally diverse constituent, they are ensuring that Kean University is an environment where anyone can thrive.

Modeled after the Premiere Stages playFestival, Kean University offers opportunities such as theBauer-Boucher Kean Student/Alumni Reading Series various times a year. In doing so, Kean University fosters positive character development, community support and healthy competition.

The final deadline for submission is December 15. Submissions should be emailed to Christine Scarfuto at cscarfut@kean.edu with “Student/Alumni Reading Series” typed in the subject of the email. Electronic submissions are preferred.