The Denver Center Theatre Company has announced a call for submissions to its two playwriting contests, the US West TheatreFest and the Francesca Primus Prize.

The U S West TheatreFest is an annual festival of plays. Plays chosen will receive a week of rehearsal with professional actors and directors, finishing in a public reading. All plays are optioned for DCTC production.

Named for deceased writer Francesca Primus, the Primus Prize honors women playwrights with a chance to be reviewed by journalists, writers and theatre critics. The winner receives $3000, a residency and a rehearsed reading of the play as part of U S West TheatreFest. The winning play will also be optioned for DCTC production. Previous winners include Tatjana In Color by Judy Jordan and Wonderland by Brooke Berman.

Submission to both contests must be made by Jan. 1, 1999. All entries must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope or they will not be returned. U.S. West TheatreFest plays must be full length. All plays must be unproduced and "unencumbered."

For submission for the U. S. TheatreFest, write: Bruce K. Sevy, Associate Artistic Director/New Play Development
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
1245 Champa Street
Denver, CO 80204

For submission for the Francesca Primus Prize, write:

Francesca Primus Prize
Office of Media Relations and Publications
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
1245 Champa Street
Denver, CO 80204

The Denver Center was 1998's recipient of the Tony Award for Regional Theatre.

-- By Christine Ehren