Kazakhstan English language theater and HSBC bank announce a playwriting competition

Kazakhstan English Language Theater (KELT) is a non-profit organization operating in Almaty and Atyrau and was founded in 2001. For the past nine years KELT has done more than 15 theater productions in English, involving over 300 students, locals and internationals. KELT productions have attracted audiences of over 1,100 people.

KELT and HSBC bank announce an opening of a nation-wide playwriting competition entitled Pioneer the Future. "We are looking for scripts that explore the fundamental changes in Kazakhstani mentality, social structure, and way of life, upon the formation of the Republic of Kazakhstan." says Jessica Lewis, the director of KELT.

Four winning plays from the competition will receive cash awards worth $1700 and produced into a One-Act Festival, which will be performed in the spring of 2011 by KELT. In the summer of 2011, KELT will celebrate its 10th year anniversary by taking the same One-Act Festival on tour to the USA.

The deadline for script submissions is October 31st, 2010. The scripts are to be submitted in both English and the original language (ie. Kazakh or Russian). The winners will be selected by an independent jury and announced in December 2010. Cash prizes to be awarded by HSBC bank are $800 for the Grand prize and $300 for First, Second and Third places.

There will be an opportunity to receive feedback on scripts from the judging committee before the deadline in October. "A key to good playwriting is re-writing and we encourage our participants to submit their drafts by September 1st to receive feedback to help with their revisions", says Jessica Lewis.

For more information on competition submission guidelines and eligibility, please contact Anatoliy Ogay by mobile phone 8 701 788 63 83 or via email keltsubmissions@gmail.com or visit KELT website www.kelt.biz.

Contact: Selbi Durdiyeva, telephone 8 (702) 4850030, email selbi89@yahoo.com.