NewRootsNews.org and Studio@620 Partner to find the NEXT GREAT PLAY

NewRootsNews.org, the new and exciting online repository for all things to do with St. Petersburg, has announced a partnership with the Studio@620 to launch the inaugural NEXT GREAT PLAY
playwriting competition. The grand prize winner will receive the world premiere of their play as part of the Studio@620's 2012-13 theater season.

"We are very excited to partner with Bob Devin Jones to launch the NEXT GREAT PLAY competition," said Nick Hinckley, managing director of NewRootsNews.org. "We expect for this to become an annual event unlike any other that will showcase great new works in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg for years to come."

The top three submissions will receive staged readings open to the public at Studio@620, from which a winner will be chosen. The chosen playwright will win the fully realized world premiere of their play, as well as receiving the Studio@620's standard playwriting fee. All plays must be original works that have not been publicly produced or performed, although past public readings are acceptable. Submissions must be at least one act long and can be any genre, including musicals, and about any subject matter.

"Both Studio@620 and NewRootsNews.org love our community," said Jones, the artistic director at Studio@620. "We are very thrilled to bring the next great play to our stage for everyone's enjoyment."

Submissions will be accepted through Nov. 25. All scripts must include a cover page with the title of the play and contact information, a 1-2 paragraph synopsis, a character breakdown and a $20 check or money order made out to New Roots News to pay the readers fee. Submissions should be mailed to: New Roots News, Attn: Next Great Play, 622 1st Ave S, Suite 4, St. Petersburg, FL., 33701. Digital submissions can be made at: nextgreatplay@newrootsnews.org ($20 check or money order needs to be mailed to New Roots News at the above address).

NewRootsNews.org is the premiere online repository for all things St. Petersburg. Their passionate and driven team of young professionals covers arts, events, lifestyle, music and local government, as well as profile local businesses and citizens. Founded on the values of public journalism, NewRootsNews.org is contributor-based and always looking for other members of the community to get involved.

The Studio @ 620 is the brainchild of Artistic Directors Bob Devin Jones and David Ellis along with a host of hard working board members, volunteers, patrons, and visionaries. The idea grew out of a core belief that art and diversity play a crucial role in the lives of individuals and communities. The primary goal of The Studio@620 is to bring together people from various cultural backgrounds and experiences, as artists, audience members, and volunteers.

The Studio@620 is located at 620 1st Ave South in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.