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Don McCann Playwriting Contest

Donald J. McCann

Donald J. McCann was born and raised in Oswego to a mother who was a homemaker and a father who was employed by the railroad but who was also a sometimes professional actor. Don served in the Army during World War II, returned home, graduating from Syracuse University. Following graduation, Don landed a job with the Oswego Palladium Times, moving from advertising to becoming the reporter who covered City Hall. He joined the Oswego Players in the mid-1950s, directing several one acts (one of which was his own play, “The Woods for the Weekend or the Bushes for the Afternoon.” Later the same year, 1957, he directed “The Mousetrap” and went on to direct numerous plays. Don was known for directing edgy, message-centered plays including “The Visit,” Inherit the Wind,” “Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama’s Hung You in the Closet and I’m Feeling So Sad,” and “Killing of Sister George,” to name just a few. His last directorial production was “Agnes of God” in 1984. He served several terms was President of the organization and was always a visible and vocal participant in the life of the Players. Following his death in 2004, a Playwriting Contest was established in his name with donation received from across the community. Funded by donations from members of Players and the community as well as friends of Don, the fund has remained a lasting memorial to a man who believed so strongly in community theater; who encouraged and mentored new “life” in the theater.

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Contest Rules

The Oswego Players were established in 1938 as a non-profit community theater organization dedicated to live theater productions and theater education for Oswego area residents. Consistent with those goals, a playwriting contest was established to promote the creation of original, one-act plays by contemporary authors.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. The contest is FREE and open to any amateur playwright who is 18 years or older and resides (or attends college) in the state of New York.
  2. All plays must be based on original concepts (no adaptions or verse plays), unpublished and unproduced. None of the submitted plays may be read publicly until the prize winners have been announced.
  3. The Oswego Players reserves the right to produce and perform any of the prize winners.
  4. The content, theme, and time period are at the discretion of the writer.
  5. Since a LIVE PRODUCTION of the of at least one of the prize winners is planned* simplicity is highly recommended:
  • One act, single set, with a run time of 20 to 30
  • Written so it can be staged with minimal set, props, lighting and sound effects, and costume design.
  • The story should not exceed eight characters due to the potential unavailability of actors.
  1. All entries must include a cover page which includes the name of the play, name of the playwright, and an updated address, phone number, and email address.
  2. Provided there are enough entries, the following cash prizes will be awarded:

– 1st Prize: $250.00  – 2nd Prize: $150.00  – 3rd Prize: $75.00

  1. Submissions must be received by June 15th of the contest year and sent either electronically to osweplay@yahoo.com or through the mail, Playwriting Contest, P.O. Box 183, Oswego, NY 13126 .
  2. The prize winning authors understands that The Oswego Players, Inc., reserves the right to produce their play as they deem fit including but, not limited to the altering of problematic language, casting decisions, the director’s artistic choices while making every effort to honor their writing skills.
  3. The writers of any of the prize winners automatically gives permission to the Oswego Players, Inc. to make copies of the script for rehearsal purposes.
  4. Submission of an entry will constitute agreement by the writer/author to the terms described herein.

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* Consistent with the organizational goals of the Oswego Players, Inc., it is their desire to produce a live stage production of the winning entry within a year of its selection. However, the organization reserves the right to opt out of this provision due to unforeseen, extenuating circumstances.