Oklahoma Christian University’s communication department is hosting a faith-based playwriting competition, with the winner having the opportunity to present their script at the Play Festival held in Judd Theatre in April.
Winners of this competition are determined by a group of judges grading on criteria set out by the communication department. Some of these criteria include a minimum 10-minute script, a story which explores a Christian relationship or event and a length of five to 10 pages. These scripts must be original and unproduced.
Junior Abigail Kent is writing for the competition this year for the first time and said, while it is her first year writing, she was involved with the competition last year.
“This is my first year to be involved in submitting a play for the competition,” Kent said. “Although I did participate in the staging and filming of last year’s competition submissions.”
Kent said her inspiration for writing in this year’s competition comes from her desire to use theater to spread a message of hope.
“Too often, I believe theater portrays darkness of the world around us and leaves the audience in shock,” Kent said. “The goal of this competition is to explore the positive use of theater to portray darkness, of course, but the light that is offered through faith and hope.”
While some people may be on edge about trying to participate in the competition, Kent said it is a good learning experience for anyone.
“I would encourage someone to enter the competition because it is an exercise in creativity, storytelling and faith-building as you find a way to communicate spirituality in an appealing, convicting manner,” Kent said. “There is much to be said for being able to take a big idea for a play and working out the details of a complete script, including stage directions for the actors.”
Kent said she would describe the competition as something of a unique situation for faith to be shared and an opportunity for students from different majors to come together to share a good experience with people they may not usually get to interact with.
“The play competition explores another way to express one’s faith, encouraging students to write and direct original works.,” Kent said. “This offers experience for students in a myriad of majors to come together for a common experience and goal to communicate important, faith-based messages. The goal of the competition is to cause those engaged in every aspect of the event—writers, directors, actors, and audience members—to consider the limitless possibilities of theater and the sharing of our faith in a new light.”
For more information on the competition, students can email Anna Marie Wilcox. The competition runs through midnight on March 4.
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