"It is a priority for me to choose the majority of the work in the Playwrights Conference from our open submissions," noted Playwrights Conference artistic director Wendy C. Goldberg. "This Conference belongs to the playwrights and in saying that, it is imperative, as it has been since the Conference's founding, to allow these playwrights who submit their work, the opportunity to have their plays read and considered seriously for the conference."

The submission guidelines detail proper presentation of scripts (format, pagination, binding), number of copies and additional information that should be sent with writers' materials. Detailed guidelines for each program are provided on the O'Neill website at www.TheONeill.org. For further information about the programs, contact Literary Manager David White at (860) 443-5378, ext. 227 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Translations, optioned plays or those that have either received productions or professional workshops are ineligible for open submissions.

All submissions must be postmarked from Oct. 1 (to Oct. 31 for Playwrights Conference, to Dec. 12 for Music Theater Conference). A $35 fee is instated for the O'Neill Playwright’s Conference to be used toward the costs associated with the selection process. Selected playwrights will receive a stipend, room and board as well as round-trip transportation to the event.

* In September 2003, the Playwrights Conference at the Center had announced the end of its open submission policy due to a growing debt and a lack of staff to handle the numerous plays submitted every year. The move was not welcomed by the playwriting community. The company then reversed the decision in Jan. 2004.

Richard Kuranda currently presides over the Center as producing director with executive director Amy Sullivan. Paulette Haupt, co-founder for the O'Neill Music Theater Conference, serves as artistic director. Wendy C. Goldberg serves as artistic director of the Playwrights Conference.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center was founded in 1964 and based in Waterford, CT. Programs at the Center include the Puppetry Conference, Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference and the National Theater Institute. The Monte Cristo Cottage, O'Neill's childhood home, is also owned and operated by the group.

For more information on the O'Neill Center, visit the website at www.TheONeill.org or call (860) 443-5378.