The Oswego Players are seeking aspiring playwrights from all over the State of New York who want the chance to have their work performed at the Frances Marion Brown Theatre. The Donald J. McCann Memorial One-Act Playwriting Contest, a competition dedicated to the discovery of creative and original, unproduced one act plays, is officially open for submissions this year. Don McCann Playwriting Contest Coordinator Norman Berlin III says that “Anyone who has ever had the slightest interest in writing a play is strongly encouraged to enter this year’s playwriting contest!”
Don McCann, after whom the contest is named, was a writer at heart who not only directed thought-provoking plays but also penned his own one-act pieces. A lifetime resident of Oswego, McCann made his mark professionally as a reporter for the Oswego Palladium Times. Don became a member of the Oswego Players in the 1950’s, enabling him to pursue his lifelong passion for acting, directing, and writing.
Over the next four decades, McCann would serve several terms as President and Historian for the Oswego Players, Inc. Artistically speaking, he was known for favoring thought-provoking, message-centered plays like The Visit, Inherit the Wind, and Agnes of God, all of which he directed. As a naturally gifted writer, McCann would not only publish numerous articles and play reviews for the organization, but tried his hand penning one-act plays for the group to perform as well.
The 2024 Playwriting Contest was open to all residents of New York state, which resulted in the highest number of submissions in the history of the contest. The four prize-winning one-acts, chosen from an array of over ninety submitted works, were presented at this year’s Don McCann Playwriting Showcase on March 7th, 8th and 9th. The Showcase included “Like Clockwork” by Andrada Angileri, directed by Angella Bandla, “Maybe Tomorrow” by Brian Leahy Doyle, directed by Norman Berlin III, “Birthright” by Lydia Merritt, directed by Stephanie Johnson, and the winner of the 2024 Contest, “A Matter of Measurements” by Michael Brumm, which was also directed by Stephanie Johnson.
Audiences enthusiastically responded to the performances of this year’s winners, thus fulfilling the organization’s goal of encouraging works by new writers. “A Matter of Measurements” author by Michael Brumm says: “I am extremely honored to have my play performed by the Oswego Players. It’s the first time I’ve ever written a play, and it was a ton of fun.”
Anyone interested in submitting an original one-act play for the 2025 The Donald J. McCann Memorial One-Act Playwriting Contest should contact osweplay@yahoo.com for a complete set of guidelines. All submissions for this year’s contest must be received by June 15th and sent either electronically to osweplay@yahoo.com or through the mail, to Don McCann Playwriting Contest, P.O. Box 183, Oswego, NY 13126.
Pictured are the cast of “Maybe Tomorrow” by Brian Leahy Doyle, second-place prize winner of the 2024 Playwriting Contest. From left to right are Scott Bandla and Tammy Thompson. Anyone interested in submitting an original one-act Play script for the 2025 contest should contact osweplay@yahoo.com for a complete set of guidelines.