Langham Court Theatre Presents the 2019 Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition

Langham Court Theatre Presents the 2019 Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition

UPDATE: Entry fee reduced to $45 Canadian. Second prize re-structured  to provide for more prizes to our winning entries–four $500 runner-up prizes offered.

Langham Court Theatre, Victoria BC, one of Canada’s oldest continuously running community theatres, founded in 1929 and celebrating their 90^th season in 2018-2019, announces the 2019 inaugural Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition—the world’s richest competition specifically for the writing of tragedy.  The first place winner will receive $8000 and the opportunity to have their play workshopped in Victoria BC. In addition, the winning play may also be fully produced by Langham Court Theatre as a special event.  There is a $2000 second prize. Four runner-up prizes of $500 will be awarded.

Sponsored by critic and philanthropist Edwin Wong, who developed the model of risk theatre after studying theatre at the University of Victoria (2004) and the classics at Brown (MA 2007), believes the time is right to reboot the ancient and storied art of tragedy.  Risk Theatre aligns tragedy with modern concepts of chance and uncertainty. The result is a tragic stage where every dramatic act is a gambling act and risk runs riot. He is currently working on a book: Tragedy Is Risk Theatre: Gambling, Drama, and the Unexpected. His thoughts on theatre as well as excerpts from his book can be found at melpomeneswork.com .

This annual competition challenges intrepid playwrights to write 90 – 120 minute plays and closes on March 29, 2019. Entries cost $75  $45 Canadian. Full competition details can be found at risktheatre.com.

The competition is managed by long-time theatre professional Michael Armstrong who is a playwright, actor, director and adjudicator.  The winning play will be directed by Langham Court Theatre board member Keith Digby who has worked at the highest levels of theatre in Canada as well as mentored generations of aspiring thespians and writers.

For almost 90 years Langham Court Theatre has presented nearly 3000 performances with 4000 actors in over 500 shows to 250,000 guests.