Old Miner’s Children’s Playwriting Contest

The Old Miner’s Children’s Playwriting Contest is funded through the generous support of the Tom and Mary Norris Foundation, and is named after Tom Norris, born January 2, 1920 in Caliente, Nevada. Growing up during the Depression as the oldest of seven children, Tom was well acquainted with poverty. He had one life’s ambition: to make a million dollars. He did so, many times over, in the mines of Battle Mountain, Nevada. Once he accomplished his goal, he realized that working hard to make the money was more fun than having it.  Tom never spent much money on himself, but was generous to the community around him, especially the children. He never received a college education, but was a voracious reader and passionate learner. He wanted to make sure the children in his community got the best education, were knowledgeable about world events, and learned to think for themselves. Tom was an avid debater and prolific writer of letters to the editor which he always signed as “The Old Miner.”

The contest has two divisions (a) the “National Division” for a playwright currently living in the United States and (b) the “Utah College Division” for a playwright currently enrolled at a Utah college or university.

The National Division winner will receive:

• A five-day residency culminating in a staged reading of the script
• The opportunity to mentor the winner of the Utah College Division
• $1000 cash prize
• Airfare from the continental United States, lodging, and meal per diem
• The option of design or verbal responses from UVU theatre students
• Mentoring and support from a director and/or dramaturg

The Utah College winner will receive:

• Up to eight hours of workshopping and rehearsal, with a staged reading
• Mentorship from a professional playwright
• $250 cash prize
• Lodging, if playwright resides outside of Utah County
• Mentoring and support from a director and/or dramaturg

(please note transportation is not included for the Utah College Winner)

Plays based on the lives of real children are eligible for a bonus $500 “Strike It Rich” prize.