American Association of Community Theatre AACT NewPlayFest Script Formatting Requirements

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1 American Association of Community Theatre AACT NewPlayFest Script Formatting Requirements These guidelines are designed for use with Microsoft Word or a similar word processing program. If using screenwriting software, note that its particular default setting may not reflect the guidelines of the contest. IMPORTANT: Failure to comply with any requirement will result in the elimination of the script from the contest. If this happens, the playwright will be notified and only if time remains before the deadline, may he or she resubmit. Also, please read all instructions carefully as formatting requirements may differ from years prior. WHY THIS FORMATTING? It is easier for responders to read multiple plays and view them all equally. This formatting results in a run-time equal to the number of pages. If the play is 120 pages, it will be close to two hours long, the optimal running time. BASICS Do not put the playwright s name anywhere in the script or in the properties of the digital file. Use standard one-inch margins: right, left, top and bottom. All text must be in 12-point Times New Roman or an equivalent font. With the exception of the cover page and page with cast lists, all pages must be numbered at the top right hand corner with the title of the play to the left of the number. COVER PAGE The cover page must include the play s title, centered on the center line. If there is a subtitle, single-space and center it under the title. If there is a copyright notice, single-space and center it below the title or subtitle. End of the Day A comedy in two acts Copyright notice here

2 CAST AND SETTING After the cover page, there must be a page listing the cast of characters. At the top of the page, center the title of the play, single-space and center Cast of Characters. Double-space and begin the lists of characters and their respective descriptions. Each character name must be in a column to the left, underlined and in ALL CAPS. CAST AND SETTING (CONT D) A very brief description of the character (gender, age, and any physical or identifying characteristics) must be in a corresponding column to the right. If doubling is possible or necessary, this will be mentioned underneath the list of characters. Italicize, capitalize the word, Note, follow with a colon and then the direction. At the bottom of the page, centered, include the time and place. End of the Day Cast of Characters ROMAN Aged 50+. a handsome lothario ROMAN Aged 50+, his unsuspecting wife MARK ANDERS Aged 50+, the next door neighbor Note: Mario and Mark are to be played by the same actor. Time: 1950s Place: The Roman s home OPTIONAL: INTRODUCTORY PAGE WITH SYNOPSIS OR SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS A synopsis is not required, nor is it required that the responders read it. If the production will benefit from additional guidance, this option may be used. Number the page, use single-spaced paragraphs and limit the information to one page. Title each section using the example below: End of the Day 1 Synopsis Special Instructions

3 ACTS AND SCENES Each new act and scene must be centered. Acts must be underlined, appear in ALL CAPS and with Roman numerals. Scenes must be in capital and small letters with the number spelled out, underlined and single-spaced below the act. Double-space before beginning the scene s opening description or first line of dialogue. If a description of the setting and activities are used at the beginning of a scene, it is written like stage direction: the left margin is in the center of the page and it is single-spaced. Scene endings should be noted, centered and in ALL CAPS. The play s ending should be noted with END, centered underneath the final line or stage direction on the final page. ACT I Scene One End of the Day 2 Lights up on a house that has seen better days. Downstairs there is a full kitchen and living room with a staircase leading up to unseen bedrooms. The front door leads directly into the living room. is seated on the couch, nervously awaiting s return. After several tense moments, the door opens. I know I m late, so don t start with me, Linda. If that s all you have to say to me, goodnight. BLACKOUT ACT I Scene Two Lights up on pacing back and forth in the kitchen and doing the same in the living room.

4 DIALOGUE AND DIRECTIONS When a character speaks, his or her name must be centered and in ALL CAPS. Single-space under the character s name and use the left hand margin to record dialogue. When a character is mentioned in stage directions, his or her name must be in ALL CAPS. Shorter stage directions related to the character that precede the line of dialogue must be in parentheses and may be recorded next to or centered and single-spaced under the character s name. End of the Day 5 Wouldn t you like to know? (chuckling while cracking knuckles) OR Wouldn t you like to know? (chuckling while cracking knuckles) Shorter stage directions that occur within a character s line of dialogue must be in parentheses and recorded within the line. End of the Day 18 So, this has been going on for months?! (crosses into kitchen) And don t you dare follow me, Mario! If a longer stage direction occurs within a character s line of dialogue, to record the direction doublespace and start the left margin in the center of the page. The direction itself is single-spaced. At the end of the direction, double-space, note the character s name again and add (CONT D). End of the Day 19 You have the keys to the car, Linda. follows into the kitchen and holds out his hand. She pushes him away. I can t leave without the keys, Linda. (CONT D)

5 DIALOGUE AND DIRECTIONS (CONT D) To record longer stage directions that occur between characters lines, double-space and start the left margin in the center of the page. At the end of the stage direction, double-space and begin the next line of dialogue. You have the keys to the car, Linda. I can t leave without the keys. End of the Day 19 follows into the kitchen and holds out his hand. She pushes him away. I guess you ll have to walk. If a character s lines are split between two pages, start the next page with the character s name and (CONT D). Simultaneous dialogue is placed side-by-side with character names centered above both sets of dialogue. End of the Day 35 I ll never leave you, Linda, never. I think you better leave right now. What did you just say? BOTH I said I d never, ever go. Get out! Get out! Get out! Trailing off is indicated with ellipsis ( ) and cutting off is indicated with a dash (--). If a character is to emphasize a word(s) it may be indicated by placing words in italics or underlining them. Only if a character is shouting should the words appear in ALL CAPS.

6 DIALOGUE AND DIRECTION (CONT D) Overlapping may be indicated with either a stage direction or with a backslash ( / ) inserted into both lines to show precisely where the overlapping occurs. End of the Day 50 Leave him, Linda, he s not good enough for you. MARK I can t. There s too much on the line. (overlapping) OR MARK Leave him, Linda, he s / not good enough for you. / I can t. There s too much on the line. Musicals are not allowed; however, if a song is sung in the play, all lyrics must be capitalized, singlespaced and indented 1.5 inches. IN CONCLUSION Direct any questions regarding formatting to Susan Austin at newplayfest@aact.org. Ms. Austin will make every effort to respond in a timely fashion; however; one week prior to the submission deadline, she will respond at her convenience. AACT is not responsible for reformatting plays or providing technical support. Proofreading matters.