War of the Words

It’s like American Idol, only…good. Tonight marks the end of the first annual PlayOffs, an elimination-style weekly playwriting competition in which hand-picked playwrights produced new work based on top-secret prompts designed to “push them to create their best work at a breakneck speed,” says Michael Emmitt, co-founder with Sean Paul...

By Jamie Siebrase

August 29, 2013

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It’s like American Idol, only…good. Tonight marks the end of the first annual PlayOffs, an elimination-style weekly playwriting competition in which hand-picked playwrights produced new work based on top-secret prompts designed to “push them to create their best work at a breakneck speed,” says Michael Emmitt, co-founder with Sean Paul Mahoney of Horse & Cart, which is putting on the series. “It’s the best chance to see new plays come to life right before your eyes.”

For the first live round, the sixteen competing playwrights were given two cues — a woman of a certain age (over thirty, mid-thirties or teenaged) and Paris — and asked to craft a three-minute monologue. Six contestants were booted from the competition after a panel and audience members voted; the rest will moved on to subsequent competitions. The month-long contest culminates with a live finale tonight at Voodoo Comedy Playhouse, 1260 22nd Street.

For tickets for tonight’s denouement, $12, go to horseandcart.co, where you can also follow the PlayOffs action via wacky video and audio updates on YouTube.
Thu., Aug. 29, 8-10 p.m., 2013

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Jamie Siebrase is a Denver-based freelance writer, and author of the forthcoming Falcon Guide Hiking Wth Kids, Colorado: 52 Great Hikes for Families.

Contact: Jamie Siebrase

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