The event will feature classes on the theater experience starting each day at 9:15am and run until 4pm. In the evening Playwrights from all over the country will be given an opportunity to showcase one (1) scene from their play. Each scene should be under 30 minutes total. The festival will open to the public in the evening for viewing and voting. Once the votes are tallied the playwright with the highest votes will be given the Shelly Garrett award, have his/her play produced in the city where he/she receives the most votes and work with Shelley Garrett be-hind the scenes at one of his plays. 2nd Place 1000.00 plus free entry into next years festival. 3rd Place is 500.00 plus free entry into next years festival.
We have 3 Principles to this festival:
1, Everyone can learn. 2. Good playwrights deserve a platform to showcase their work, and lastly 3. It should be a win, win win opportunity for everyone involved.
Below are the panelists and the classes offered.
Friday October 12, 2012 Schedule of Events
9:00- 9:15 Welcome with Victor Gulley of After Work Program
9:15-10:15 Scripts Panel (content)
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Lights & Sound panel
11:30-12:30 Personnel and Actors / Famous or not / Union or Non Union
12:30- 1:30 Lunch Break
1:30- 2:30 Dealing with Venue’s, Expectations of Both parties.
2:30- 2:45 Break
2:45- 3:45 Funding your Event / forecasting / traffic / audience
5:00- 6:30 Dinner Break
6:30- 9:30 Theater Performances
Saturday October 13, 2012 Schedule of Events
9:00- 9:15 Welcome Session With Felicia Harlow of Innergistics.com
9:15-10:15 Costumes and Props Panel
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Branding / Advertising / Promotion
11:30-12:30 Live Music, Pre-Recorded music, Sound Effects & Video
12:30- 1:30 Lunch Break
1:30- 2:30 Business Side / Tickets, copyrights, Legal
2:30- 2:45 Break
2:45- 3:45 Touring Your Play.
5:00- 6:30 Dinner Break
6:30- 9:30 Theater Performances
9:45- 10:00 Award Presentation

The event will take place at Portage Theater 4050 N Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60640. However, the event will be available via webcase as well.