The San Francisco Olympians Festival is taking submissions for their 2015 festival:

SAN FRANCISCO OLYMPIANS FESTIVAL VI: WINE DARK SEA

If you are a writer and live in the Bay Area, apply. Don’t think about it, just do it. This has been one of the most rewarding community of artists that I have ever worked with. So get on it. NOW!

Here are all the details from their website:

Want to write for the Olympians Festival?

Well, now is your chance!

We are now accepting submissions for the 2015 San Francisco Olympians Festival, a multi-discipline, nationally recognized new works theater festival based at the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco!

Proposals due by midnight on September 30th, with the line-up for next year’s festival to be announced 11/1/2014. Our first meeting will be on December 12 of 2014.

The festival will take place in November of 2015, from November 4-November 21, Wedesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 PM.

Each night of the festival will consist of the staged reading of either a full-length play or a series of shorts, inspired by the mythical gods and heroes of Ancient Greece. The subjects, and the lengths of the plays we’re looking for, are specified below.

There are no submission fees. The Olympians Festival is non-exclusive and does not retain ownership of any play created for it, beyond the initial staged reading. Participating writers should be local (San Francisco and the greater Bay Area), and will be expected to help promote the festival and contribute a raffle prize of their choice to be raffled off to the audience on the night their play is read. Writers are also expected to attend 4-6 meetings over the course of the year, and our auditions, which happen in September.

Writers are encouraged to submit as many proposals as they want for as many topics as they like. Applications for a topic can be submitted by individuals or writers can work in pairs, or teams of three or more. Writers may be picked for more than one project, and should note that they’d like to be considered for more than one (or not). Each proposal should be 500 words or less and answer three questions:

1. Why you?
2. Why this figure?
3. What is your idea?

All proposals should be submitted electronically to Stuart at sfolympians@gmail.com.

2015′s subjects are as follows. Only one is currently claimed and submissions are encouraged for all of the rest:

Week One: THE DIVINE AQUATIC (11/4-11/7)

Wednesday, November 4: The Trumpeter

Full-Length: TRITON, royal Prince of the sea, son of Poseidon and Amphitrite, leader of the mer-folk, the sound of his trumpet was the roar of the waves.

Thursday, November 5: A Bevy of Beauties

Short: THETIS, goddess of the tides

Short: INO LEUCOTHEA, goddess of seagulls

Short: PSAMATHE, goddess of sandy beaches

Short: DORIS, goddess of fish

Short: BRIZO, protectoress of sailors

Short: GALENE, goddess of calm waters

Short: CYMOPLEIA, goddess of the waves

Short: EURYBIA, goddess of sailing

Friday, November 6: Old Men of the Sea

A pair of mysterious, prophetic sea gods who may actually be the same figure, and to this day echo with the mystery of secret cults.

Full-Length: NEREUS and PROTEUS

Saturday, November 7: The Ruling Couple

One-Act: POSEIDON, god of the sea

One-Act: AMPHITRITE, his queen

Week Two: ARGONAUTICA (11/11-11/14)

Wednesday, November 11: The Crew

Act One: Singles

Short: ATALANTA, the only female crew, greatest hunter on earth

Short: ORPHEUS, famed musician whose song defeated the sirens

Short: TELAMON, the helmsman

Short: ADMETUS, whose life would cross the paths of many heroes

Act Two: Pairs

Short: CASTOR/POLLUX, twin brothers, one mortal, one divine

Short: CALAIS/ZETES, twin brothers, winged, sons of the wind

Short: PELEUS/LAERTES, young kings who would one day father the two great heroes of the Trojan War- Achilles and Odysseus

Short: HERACLES/HYLAS, the greatest hero who ever lived and the cabin-boy he loved and lost

Thursday, November 12: The Captain

Full-Length: JASON, orphaned at birth and sent on a quest to reclaim his rightful throne, Jason has been both honored and demonized throughout the years, but his quest remains second only to the Odyssey as the greatest sea voyage of western literature.

Friday, November 13: The Girl

Full-Length: MEDEA, princess, sorceress, murderess, Medea is one of Greek mythology’s most complex female figures, both reviled and revered and one of the few mortals to achieve god-hood, but at a terrible cost.

Saturday, November 14: The Ship

Full-Length: THE ARGO, the greatest ship of the classical era, complete with a talking masthead in the likeness of the goddess Hera.

Week Three: FATHOMLESS BLUE (11/18-11/21)

Wednesday, November 18: Masters of the Surf

One-Act: AKHEILOS, god of sharks (CLAIMED)

One-Act: DELPHIN, gold of dolphins

Thursday, November 19: Island Rulers

One-Act: AEOLUS, keeper of the winds and king of a floating island

One-Act: CIRCE, the original sea-witch, daughter of Helios, mistress of magic, lover of Odysseus and mentor to Medea

Friday, November 20:

One-Act: OCEANUS, the Titan who ruled the ocean that surrounded the world and which carried the Sun and Moon from set to rise

One-Act: TETHYS, his Titan bride, mistress of the deep seas and all that lived there.

Saturday, November 21: The Bottomless Deep

Full Length: PONTOS, the first water god, son of Ouranos and Gaea, Pontos is the primordial ocean, the bottomless deep, the Abyss, the mystery and miracle of water.

Definitions:

Short- Ten to Fifteen Minutes

One-Act- Twenty-five to Fifty Minutes

Full Length- Sixty Minutes to Two Hours

So get on it, send in those proposals. NO EXCUSES!

Summer is gone! When did that happen? Oy vey.

Mine was intense, busy, and productive. I wrote my first screenplay, and put in some major time getting two other large projects further in their development. One could say that I took on too much this summer, and I don’t think they’d be wrong.

This was my first year that I didn’t participate in the 31 Plays in 31 Days challenge. This year I only cheered people on from the sidelines.

I’ve also fallen behind in my own personal goal to submit 365 scripts, as of today I’ve submitted on 211. But, I think if I push through it I can catch up within a month or so.

Another exciting adventure I’ve started is the mess of paperwork one needs in order to write a thesis! Exciting, huh? I’m getting two master’s degrees in my time at SFSU, starting my first thesis this Spring, and I’m very glad that I started my inquiries early – lots of hoops to jump through.

What did you do this summer?

Remember, giving is sexy: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/san-francisco-olympians-festival-v-monsters-ball/x/620044#home

Yesterday was huge! And we received more money than any other day in the fundraiser so far! THANK YOU!

We still have a tiny bit to go though, $1,278 to be exact. There’s only 14 hours left in this campaign, help us reach our goal! Support awesome indie theater! So click on through and GIVE! Then tell your buddies to do the same.

Here’s that link again: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/san-francisco-olympians-festival-v-monsters-ball/x/620044#home

Okay folks, this is where we’re at… 37 hours left to raise $3,575! We need you! Here’s the link:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/san-francisco-olympians-festival-v-monsters-ball/x/620044#home

Get to it!

TONIGHT is the night folks! My brand new play Iro, Take Heart is taking the stage for the FIRST time! Commissioned earlier this year by Custom Made Theatre Co., Iro, Take Heart, tells the story of a little girl’s quest to find the winged horse Pegasus.

I am very happy and very proud to be sharing this new play with the world, I hope that you can join me and be involved with the very important revision process! Hearing the script in front of an audience is super important, it’s where I find out what’s working and what isn’t. So if you’re free tonight, come out and see some FREE theater! You won’t be sorry.

For all the details, check out the event page on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1526786414206570/

Please give us your money!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/san-francisco-olympians-festival-v-monsters-ball/x/620044#pledges

As of 10:23am the San Francisco Olympians Festival still has $4,659 to go! I am confident that we’ll make it, but we need YOU! You may not believe me when I say that even a $1 pledge helps, but it does, the more donors we have the more momentum we’ll pick up, and right now momentum is what we need. And if you don’t have extra money to spare, I understand, but there are still ways that you can help us get there! Share our fundraiser on Facebook, on twitter! Use a bull horn if that’s all you got!

Need more reasons why we’re so special? Oh, I’ve got reasons… Here listen to what Annie Paladino – a writer in this year’s festival – has to say:

“The sheer volume of local artists involved. It’s absolutely staggering, and I’ve never encountered anything like it. Not only does it pull from an amazing pool of actors, directors, writers, and visual artists, but it’s also become this wonderful springboard for newcomers, or those looking to try on a new hat. There are always a lot of (very talented!) first-time actors, directors, and writers. This year, I’m one of them!”

And here we have Siyu Song, another writer in this year’s festival:

“They are willing to take a risk on new writers and ideas. The number of incredibly varied approaches and interpretations on a seemingly narrow topic this festival yields is unique.”

Sunil Patel, a writer from last year’s festival, says:

“SF Olympians is unlike most theater festivals because its submissions are pitch-based: you don’t have to write an entire script to be accepted. You don’t have to have ever written a script. All you need is an idea and the determination to realize it. Once you’re in, you’re in, and you’re part of a supportive community of writers who know they will see their work produced, and that promise is incredibly freeing and motivating. Last year I wrote my most personal work yet, one of the best things I’ve ever written, and it would not exist had Stuart not given me the opportunity. There are dozens, dozens of works of art that exist now solely because of SF Olympians, and that’s amazing.”

And we’re not just writers, here’s Jan Carty Marsh, who’s acted in each year of the festival since it started in 2010:

“What I love best about the Olympians Festival is having been cast as an audience member in all of the other shows. It is my favorite role. I arrive at my leisure, bring flowers, pay my $10, take my seat, and then laugh, cry and shake my head in amazement at the tremendous talent that Stuart Bousel has brought together yet again. Does it get any better than this?”

Thanks for reading, I hope I’ve moved you to donate! If you want to read more interviews with the artists, and find out who their favorite Greek God is, visit the SF Olympians’ facebook page.

And to give us your money, go here:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/san-francisco-olympians-festival-v-monsters-ball/x/620044#pledges

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

(Beautiful postcard by the SF Olympians’ Arts Director Cody Rishell)

To donate go here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/san-francisco-olympians-festival-v-monsters-ball/x/620044#home

Hello everybody! BIG news, we only have FIVE days left for the San Francisco Olympians Festival fundraising campaign and we still just under $5,000!

This is such a great festival, and it completely deserves your support. But don’t take my word for it, I asked the other artists involved what makes the SF Olympians Festival so special, here’s what they said:

Megan Cohen, writing for CENTAUR, says:

“Of all the festivals I’m involved in, this one might have the highest turnover rate of artists, which is such a good thing. Every year, there are strangers and new faces, welcomed into an ever-changing fold, and trusted to make new work that expands our ideas of what the festival can contain and support. In American arts culture right now, there’s a lot of pressure for institutions like festivals to freeze in place as soon as they find a working formula, but every year SF Olympians is risking, inventing, and discovering.”

Peter Townley, actor from the 2012 and 2013 festival, says:

“That so many people participate. ”

Jeremy Cole, production manager and writer in past festivals, says:

“Unlike any other festival, Olympians stretches its playwrights – asking them to write an adaptation of a myth rather than a story they invent from scratch. Seeing how the writers tackle this challenge is a fascinating process to watch each and every year.”

Vince Faso, writing for POLYPHEMUS, says:

“A writer-focused festival with a cult-like following; enough said.”

Leah Halper, writing for NEPHELE, says:

“The high quality of the work and the interesting group it assembles.”

Ariel Craft, director, says:

“As a director, I don’t often get the chance to meet other directors in the workspace. I see their shows, sure, but it is rare to work side-by-side on a single project. For me, Olympians is a wonderful opportunity to meet others that do what I do and to enjoy their work, process and product.”

Allison Page, writing for CERBERUS, says:

“The sheer number of humans involved in the Olympians festival every year is astounding. Theater is often smaller nowadays – casts of 5, as few people involved as possible – the Olympians festival is its own mythological beast with over a hundred heads, all of them with their own story.”

Peter Hsieh, writing for ARGUS, says:

“The SF Olympians festival is very special to me because not only does it promote new works by local artists it is a totally welcoming, adventurous, and inclusive festival that sticks to its guns. I feel that a lot of theater companies are more inclined to produce works from “their own”, you shake a bunch of hands, volunteer, smile at the right people and eventually they might do a reading or workshop of your play, and though it is new works, it is new works from the same people over and over. Not trying to throw shade, I understand that’s kinda how the wind blows but with SF Olympians they really do take a chance on new works from new artists, while still producing works by returning artists, and you are always guaranteed to see fresh new work from new voices. I am super grateful they took a chance on me last year and allowed me the opportunity to share my works with new audiences and I am glad to back this year.”

Carol Lashoff, writing for OCEANIDS, says:

“It inspires the creation of new work and it brings together dozens of artists with widely different backgrounds and diverse talents.”

Scott Baker, director, says:

“This is a great project that brings together a ton of theatre artists from all over the Bay Area, and actively encourages playwrights to play and stretch their creative muscles by reinterpreting classic Greek myths. And it’s monsters this year! Monsters! C’mon, people, we were all raised on Horror films and these are like the original beasties in the closet, well before we had closets.”

To hear MORE from the artists, check out the SF Olympians facebook page, where we’ll be posting interviews all week: https://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Francisco-Olympians-Festival/282661841972

And check back tomorrow to hear more reasons why YOU should support our festival. Thank you and here’s that donation link one more time…

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/san-francisco-olympians-festival-v-monsters-ball/x/620044#home

Earlier this year Custom Made Theatre commissioned a new play from me for their reading series, and THIS TUESDAY it’s all coming together! I hope that you will join me in the first public reading of Iro, Take Heart, the story of a might little girl and her quest to find the great winged horse Pegasus.

I have Daunielle Rasmussen as my director, and my wonderful cast includes: Kim Saunders, Ron Tablot, Katie Robbins, Devin O’Brien, Justine Marler, and Cara McQuillen.

Reading is this TUESDAY (7/29) at 8pm, at 1620 Gough St, SF.

To RSVP like a pro, or find out more info please visit the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1526786414206570/

I will be there and so should you!

Where have you been? It’s been weeks! I’ve been swamped with road trips, summer school, and dental surgery, but the good news is that I’m back now!

And good thing because TODAY kicks off fundraising for the 2015 San Francisco Olympians Festival! We need your help to keep this fantastic festival alive. Go to the Indiegogo Campaign Page (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/san-francisco-olympians-festival-v-monsters-ball#home), watch the video and give today! We’re raising money throughout the month of July.

If you aren’t convinced yet, let me give you TWO reasons why you should give:

1. The SF Olympians Festival commissions new play each year giving writers the opportunity to create brand new pieces from the ground up, most festivals want you to have a play already written before you can submit, that’s one of the many reasons this festival is so special.
2. It also gives many different types of artists the space to collaborate, we are a festival of writers, directors, actors, and fine artists, coming together for three weeks of reading new plays.

There are plenty more reasons to give, PLENTY! Check back all month for more reasons, as we chug along to our goal. And remember to tell your friends to give too!

Last week I saw three, yes three excellent plays; PEN/MAN/SHIP at Magic Theatre, Mutt at Impact Theatre, and The Crucible at Custom Made Theatre Co.. All were incredibly well done. It was also a nice mix; two dramas, one comedy, two new plays, one classic, two of the productions had actors I know and love, and one had brand new faces for me to get to know. But there were also choices that all the plays made, as if the directors had gotten together and had a huddle before their respective productions, and this was clearest in the transitions. Each play created theatrical space with their transitions as opposed to just having a table moved, or props struck. This is a trend I hope to see more of, because they made such strong choices to fill that space my mind instead of it’s normal wandering during scene changes, was brought more into the play, building my curiosity, fear, making me laugh, or breaking my heart. All three of these shows are also ONES THAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS! And lucky for you, you still have a shot at seeing them….

PEN/MAN/SHIP by Christina Anderson directed by Ryan Purcell, which breaks open the ugly side of people and leaves the audience asking hard questions of itself. It is a deceivingly simple, like a great meal from your favorite restaurant that no matter how many times you try, you are unable to recreate at home. And, AND, it’s playing until June 15th! In fact it plays Tuesday the 10th until Sunday the 15th giving you seven opportunities more to see it (it plays twice on Wednesday the 11th). Get your tickets here: http://magictheatre.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0Si0000000uPLTEA2

Mutt by Christopher Chen directed by Evren Odcikin has you laughing from the start. It is hilarious, and doesn’t hold back any punches, making fun of Republicans and Democrats alike. Mutt is playing also until the 15th, running Thursday-Sunday. So only FOUR chances left to hear the wonderful Michelle Taglarow say: “That’s the power of being hapa.” So make the time. Get your tickets! Here’s the link: http://www.impacttheatre.com/season/index.php

And, last but not least, The Crucible by Arthur Miller directed by Stuart Bousel. I’m one of those rare theater birds that had never seen The Crucible before, and so this was extra special for me. While The Crucible wasn’t the first play I read, it was among the first ten, and when I was a young girl I did a obsess-over-the-Salem-witch-trials stint. The pacing of the show was incredible, moving so quickly and powerfully that I felt myself getting caught up in the fervor. And those few moments when time seems to stop in the play, broke my heart. The sixteen actors (who says you can’t do large casts, anymore?) that make up the cast completely blew me away. I cried, I was scared, and I was proud of all the fine work my fellow artists put in on this production. The Crucible has been extended until June 22nd (!) and so you still have eight more chances to see it. Don’t be sad that you missed this show, really, just don’t do that to yourself. Buy your tickets here: http://app.arts-people.com/index.php?actions=4&p=2

You have your orders, go and see PEN/MAN/SHIP, Mutt, and The Crucible. No ifs, ands, or buts, just do it! Seriously. You can thank me later.