Sunday, January 11, 2009

Dear All,

We've commissioned 22 writers
around the a common theme. Below are the details of the commission. If interested in submitting a play, drop an e-mail to drillingcompany@aol.com.

New theme:

FREEDOM

The Why: well thinking about so many things going on in the world today, the basic concept of 'freedom' seemed to be at the heart of the conversation: whether it was war, or health insurance, or the economic recovery, or Rod Blagojevich, or Israel and Gaza,the word freedom cropped up rather quickly in the conversation. Certainly, relative to the media, it's a huge word, and of course, relative to our economy and the free-enterprise or free market system - again FREEDOM comes roaring in.

So in thinking about this one I found this quote from a speech FDR gave to Congress in 1941:
"In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want -- which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear -- which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-- anywhere in the world.
That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.
To that new order we oppose the greater conception -- the moral order. A good society is able to face schemes of world domination and foreign revolutions alike without fear.
Since the beginning of our American history, we have been engaged in change -- in a perpetual peaceful revolution -- a revolution which goes on steadily, quietly adjusting itself to changing conditions -- without the concentration camp or the quick-lime in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society.
This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose.
To that high concept there can be no end save victory."
What is it and why are we dying to get it? Who has more and what a are they doing with it once they get it.
In a nutshell, FREEDOM: what's the big deal?

When : seeking new short plays by
March 6th - (first draaft welcome)
April 14th - May 7th expected run

The catch: None. That's what freedom is all about , right?
But that's no fun, so here we go:
- use one of the four freedoms
- something should be given (not as in a circumstance but as in a gift, within the work)
- avoid prisons and guns - if you can - but if that 's where you inspiration goes....

As in the past, we'll endeavor to have at least one role in every play cast with an actor of an ethnicity other than Caucasian. In this project, not asking the writers to think about that - just letting you know we are.

How many people: Hopefully, more than one . As always, brilliant monologues welcome.-

How long: As long as it should be but not too long to allow another work or five to be produced with it.

How to send: relay a copy of the play for every character in the play plus one to 107 West 82nd Street 1A
New York, New York 10024
and
e-mail a WORD copy to
drillingcompany@aol.com

Call me with questions. I'll also post this in the BLOG section of our website so if you misplace the e-mail - check back there.

Happy New Year!

peace,