College of the Canyons Theatre Department wants your play, and currently has an open call for original plays for its New Works Festival. Ten-minute plays, One Acts, selected scenes from full length, and monologues are accepted.

The festival, now in its 13th year, continues to evolve. Originally only for COC students, the festival continues to broaden its reach, working with playwrights across the country, sometimes conducting readings and workshops via videolink.

Directed by longtime adjunct faculty member David Stears. Stears is no stranger to developing new works, having developed over 65 original works for the stage including over 20 original plays educational programming.

The New Works Festival at COC unique. Focusing on the process of the playwright, it is one of the few new plays festivals that allow for development during the process. Also unique to most festivals is the submission process is open to all and there is no submission fee.

Plays should be original works submitted by the original playwright. Selected playwrights must be willing to participate in the development process during the spring semester.

The New Works Festival is now publishing the selected works presented during the festival. “It is a great piece for the writers and the actors to have their piece published as part of an annual anthology.” Says David Stears. Anthologies for the New Works Festival are available through Amazon (search for New Works Festival Anthology 2008 or 2011).

The deadline for submissions is Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. For more information about the festival or submitting your work, contact Kim Gurnee at 661-362-3073 or visit www.canyons.edu/newworksfestival or follow the festival at www.facebook.com/NewWorksFestival.