Contest seeks plays on Asian identity

JAKARTA (JP): The Singapore Repertory Theater, the world's only international Pan-Asian theater company, has launched a worldwide playwriting competition exploring the modern Asian identity.

Through the competition, SRT expects to determine whether Asia indeed has a unique identity and find answers to questions on the concept of Asian values.

SRT invites playwrights to submit full-length, English- language plays suitable for newly developing international audiences. A prize of US$15,000 and full-scale production at SRT in 1998 will be awarded to the winner. Playwrights David Henry Hwang, Philip Kan Gotanda and Singapore's own Woon Ping Chin make up the distinguished panel of judges. Hwang is the author of M. Butterfly.

The competition introduces SRT's new Asian Initiative, an attempt by the company to foster the development of new work and capitalize on Singapore's position as a cultural gateway between East and West. No current competition or prize for new plays matches the scope of this venture. The project will provide a Pan-Asia base of new plays and playwrights for future SRT seasons, and cultivate a distinguished repertory of plays by and about Asians.

The deadline for submissions is Dec. 1, 1997. Entries should be mailed with writer's complete contact information to: Playwriting Competition, Singapore Repertory Theater, Telok Ayer Performing Arts Center, 182 Cecil Street, Singapore 069574.

Submissions must not have been previously produced and are not returnable. Any questions may be addressed to Elizabeth Kaiden, fax. (65)-221-1936, E-mail: singrep@cyberway.com.sg. (sim)