Productions for the award of “Outstanding Original Script” must meet the following criteria.
The script must have been produced by a participating theatre organization in Shelby County, unless approved by the Ostrander Director.
The production should create a sense of place, character, and atmosphere with minimal, focused design elements.
The full script must be presented as written; major deviations may disqualify the entry.
The script must have a unifying principle. Thus, a collection of One Act plays would clearly need to have a central theme to be considered by the judges.
It must not have been published or produced prior to this production.
It must be an original work. Adaptations are permitted only if written specifically for the submitting company and include significant original material.
A completed PDF script must be submitted to the Ostrander Director no later than one week after the final performance of the production. It must use standard play format: 12‑pt font, 1″ margins, numbered pages, and submitted as a PDF. The script should be anonymous (no author name within the script itself).
A separate cover sheet must include:
Script title
Playwright name(s)
Estimated running time
Total page count
Cast size
Confirmation that the work is original and unpublished
Contact information for the submitting organization
Full-Length Original Script: 50–100 pages, estimated runtime 60–120 minutes.
Short Original Script: 15–49 pages, estimated runtime 20–59 minutes.
Submissions under 15 pages may be considered if the playwright can demonstrate the piece functions as a complete theatrical work.
Musical Script Requirements
All music and lyrics must be original.
The script (“book”) must be original or an adaptation specifically created for the submission.
Ineligible Formats
Musical revues of previously produced songs.
Staged readings, workshops, script-in-hand, or partially memorized performances.
A designated Original Works Panel will:
Read each submitted script.
Attend the live performance.
This panel is distinct from the general Ostrander adjudication panels used for other categories and the presenting organization will provide 2 tickets per adjudicator.
Should no suitable piece be submitted, the Ostrander Committee reserves the right to not declare a contest winner in any given year.
Evaluation Criteria for Reviewers
Overall Readiness
Is the script polished and production-ready?
Is the narrative clear and coherent?
Could another theatre produce this?
Originality & Voice
Is there a unique perspective or distinctive voice?
Does it contribute something new to the theatrical landscape?
Dramatic Structure
Does the story have a clear arc and tension?
Are scenes well-paced and purposeful?
Character Development
Are characters distinct, believable, and well-developed?
Do characters evolve meaningfully?
Dialogue
Does the dialogue sound authentic and purposeful?
Is it engaging and well-crafted?
Theatricality
Does the script leverage the distinctive strengths of live theatre?
Are there moments that feel particularly stage-worthy?
Future Production Potential
Will it appeal to a diverse audience base?
Is it adaptable to different venues?
Would others want to produce it again?