What is a Bake Off?
Created by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, the Bake-Off is a communal writing event in which writers are given a random list of “ingredients” to incorporate into a play (for example: a kitchen sink, a front porch, and a withheld secret) to help inspire creativity and give writers permission to play. Hudson Valley community members are invited to submit short plays to be considered as part of the HVSF Community Bake-Off. Between 5-7 of these plays will be selected to be performed by professional actors, in-person on November 5th and 6th.
Who is eligible to submit a play to the Bake-Off?
Anyone who has attended any of the recent workshops in Fall 2022 or has submitted to previous Bake-Offs is eligible to submit a play.
When are submissions due?
Submissions are due at 11:59pm on Monday, October 10. Play submissions should be made via Google Form as a Microsoft Word of PDF file and will then be reviewed by a team of readers.
You’ll also be invited to a rehearsal prior to the performances to give feedback to the actors and
director.
When will I find out if my play has been selected?
We’ll notify you by Friday, October 21.
When will I need to be available if my play is selected?
Two performances will be held in-person on November 5 & 6. You will also be invited to a rehearsal to give feedback to the actors and director.
What are the ingredients?
This year’s ingredients for HVSF’s Bake-Off were inspired by our 2022 season. Those who want to submit a play to the Bake-Off should include at least THREE of these ingredients in your play.
2022 BAKE-OFF INGREDIENTS:
This year’s ingredients for HVSF’s Bake-Off were inspired by our 2022 season. Please incorporate at least THREE of these in your play:
- Romeo & Juliet at age 8
- Romeo & Juliet at 16
- Romeo & Juliet at 64
- Warring parents
- A pharmacist
- A lusty chaperone
- A poison like chloroquine phosphate
- An early morning
- A popular television show from the 1990s
- A jingle from a commercial from your childhood
- Two scenes set 75 years apart
- A musical number
- An unconventional lighting instrument
How long does my play have to be?
You should aim for around 10 pages, but if your play is a bit longer or shorter, that is okay.
What information do I need to include with my submission?
On the first page, be sure to include the title, your name, your phone number, and email address. You should also include the setting (time and place) and a list of characters and short descriptions (including age or age range, and any other basic information you think is important to understand your play). For example: HAROLD – male, 50s. Jeannie’s father.
How do you format a play?
An example of play formatting is posted here.
Have questions?
Write Christine Scarfuto: BakeOff(at)hvshakespeare.org.
Additional Resources:
Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play
