2020 Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Playwriting Competition
LANGHAM COURT THEATRE PRESENTS THE
2020 Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition
Langham Court Theatre announces that it is hosting the 2nd annual Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition. The world’s richest competition for the writing of tragedy is now richer. More risk, more reward.
At stake is $11,100 in prize money.
The competition challenges intrepid playwrights to write 90-120 minute plays and closes on June 1, 2020. Entries cost $49. The winning play will be workshopped in Victoria, BC. A travel stipend will be offered to the winning playwright. In addition, the winning play may also be fully produced by Langham Court Theatre as a special event.
Read full competition details at risktheatre.com »
About Risk Theatre
Risk theatre is a bold new model of tragedy developed by critic Edwin Wong to challenge Aristotelian, Hegelian, and Nietzschean theories of tragedy. In risk theatre, gambling acts lead to unexpected low-probability, high-consequence outcomes. Against all odds, Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. Every time.
To reimagine tragedy, Wong has written one of 2019’s most anticipated books: The Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy: Gambling, Drama, and the Unexpected. It answers the question: why do we find tragedy endearing? It argues that tragic heroes make risk run riot with their delirious wagers. Because they wager human assets, tragedy functions as a valuing mechanism. Because they lose all, audience wonder: how did the perfect bet go wrong?
The Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy is available at Bolen Books, Munro’s Books, and at Amazon worldwide. All proceeds go back to funding the competition. Wong received a MA in Classics from Brown University where he concentrated in ancient theatre. He blogs at melpomeneswork.com and lives in Victoria, BC.
About Langham Court Theatre
For 90 years, Langham Court Theatre has presented nearly 3000 performances with 4000 actors in over 500 shows to 250,000 guests. Established in 1929, Langham Court Theatre is one of Canada’s most successful and longest running community theatres. The theatre seats 177 and is located a ten minute walk from downtown Victoria in the historic Rockland neighbourhood.
2019 Semi-Finalists
Antigone 2020
Apollo
Before You Get Married
Chaos is Come Again
Chrysalis
The Chechens
DNR
In Bloom
In the Silo
Jass
Mysterious Ecstasy of the Lonely Business Traveler
North and Central
Othaniel
Signature Photo
Stale Obsession
This Tainted Earth
Weather the Storm
2019 WINNER ANNOUNCED (JUNE 18, 2019)
Contacts
Michael Armstrong, Competition Manager
Edwin Wong, Sponsor
Keith Digby, Langham Court Theatre
tragedycompetition@gmail.com
