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.
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 New York State 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
- The contest is FREE and open to playwrights 18 years and older residing or attending college in the state of New York.
- All plays must be based on original concepts (no adaptations of any works or no verse plays), unpublished and unproduced.
- Only the first 100 submissions received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, May 1, 2026, will be considered for this year’s contest. The Oswego Players, Inc., is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, damaged, postage due or illegible entries
- Playwrights can submit one play per contest year.
- By submitting a play, playwrights grant permission to Oswego Players, Inc., to produce said play at the organization’s discretion with no remuneration to the playwright beyond the contest cash prize. While it is the intention of the organization to produce the winning play, it does not guarantee a staged production.
- The content, theme, and time period of the play are at the discretion of the writer.
- Since a live production 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 minutes
- Written so it can be staged with minimal set, props, lighting and sound effects, and limited period costume design.
- The play should require no more than eight actors. One actor playing multiple parts is acceptable.
- 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.
- Provided there are enough entries, the following cash prizes will be awarded:
- – 1st Prize: $250.00 – 2nd Prize: $150.00 – 3rd Prize: $75.00
- Submissions can be sent either electronically to osweplay@yahoo.com or through the mail, Donald J. McCann Memorial Playwriting Contest, P.O. Box 183, Oswego, NY 13126.
- The prize-winning authors automatically give permission to the Oswego Players, Inc. to make copies of the script for rehearsal purposes.
- Submission of an entry will constitute agreement by the writer/author to the terms described herein.
