JARROTT
PRODUCTIONS
Our Mission is present theatre that
inspires thought and conversation,
illuminates the human condition,
and lifts the spirit.
OPENING ACT INITIATIVE
Opening Act Initiative is a new program from Jarrott Productions for new work with a mission to remove barriers of entry by providing opportunities for emerging writers from marginalized or underserved communities in Austin, TX.
Through this program, Jarrott Productions offers previously unproduced local playwrights the space to rehearse and showcase a new work at Trinity Street Playhouse free of charge during the residencies for our Mainstage productions. In addition to free space, we also offer a modest production budget, mentorship and guidance, technical assistance, marketing and more.
The Opening Act Initiative has an annual submission process, usually taking place in the summer. The 2024/2025 submission period has concluded and awardees will be announced soon. If you are, or know an emerging playwright in Austin, TX please check back here regularly for more information.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Timeline
Submission Period: July 1 - August 21
Project Selection: Early/Mid September
Project Dates: October 20 - October 30, 2024 or April 20 - April 30, 2025
Requirements for 2024/2025 Season
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You must be an Austin resident
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You must be available and present for the rehearsals and actual production dates (listed above)
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Your play must be full-length (roughly 60-120 minutes) and unproduced. Prior readings are acceptable.
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You must not have received a professional full-length production of any work yourself as a playwright. Staged readings are acceptable. For the purposes of this program, “professional” is defined as any fully realized run of performances in which artists were paid.
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If selected for this initiative, you will be asked to collaborate with us on a general budget.
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You will be involved and fully hands-on during the production process.
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Works submitted during previous years will be reconsidered if resubmitted accompanied by language regarding edits and changes made since the last submission.
If you have any questions regarding the Opening Act Initiative generally, or the submission process specifically, please email jarrottproductions@gmail.com
PROGRAM HISTORY
For our inaugural program as part of our 9th season, our panel of readers chose to award not one, but two submissions and held workshops during our residencies in the Spring and Summer of 2024.
Pale Human Garbage People by Ty Spencer Hoppe, was performed April 3rd, 2024 at Trinity Street Playhouse and was directed by JP Artistic Director David R. Jarrott.
The Wilcox family, and everyone in town knows they are NOT a nice family. But when the opportunity to better himself comes knocking, Colby Wilcox is determined to take it. Problem is, he’ll have to get past his degenerate kinfolk to do it.
Playwright Hoppe is a UT-Austin graduate with dual degrees in English and Theatre, and has taught Advanced English on the secondary level here in Austin for the past 12 years. Previous work has been presented at Fronterafest, Scriptworks’ Out of Ink, among other showcases. In his work, Hoppe seeks to balance comedy and drama by placing characters in situations both grounded in reality and absurd in nature.
Mom and Pop by Carl Gonzales, was performed June 26th, 2024 at Trinity Street Playhouse and was directed by Lacey Cannon Gonzales.
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Playwright Gonzales is a Mexican/Indigenous Director, Playwright, and Actor. Recent directing credits include Clyde’s, Anna In The Tropics (B. Iden Payne award winner), La Pastorela, La Planchada (Playwright, Frontera Fest best of fest 2023) and Even Flowers Bloom in Hell, Sometimes.