Contest Coordinator – 2025 California Young Playwrights Contest – Playwrights Project

Playwrights Project; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Contest Coordinator for the 2025 California Young Playwrights Contest. This seasonal role involves coordinating script submissions, managing volunteer readers, and facilitating the contest timetable. The successful candidate will have a passion for arts education and strong communication skills, playing a vital role in celebrating young playwrights. Join a dynamic team dedicated to inspiring creativity and storytelling through theatre. This position offers flexibility and the opportunity to engage with the vibrant theatre community in San Diego.

Qualifications

• Proven commitment to arts education and experience in theatre production.
• Strong collaborative work ethic and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the 2025 California Young Playwrights Contest and manage submissions.
• Read and evaluate scripts, and assemble panels of volunteer readers.

Skills

Written Communication

Verbal Communication

Theatre Production

Arts Program Management

Job description

Contest Coordinator – 2025 California Young Playwrights Contest – Playwrights Project

Job Description

Mission
Playwrights Project advances literacy, creativity, and communication by inspiring individuals to voice their stories through playwriting programs and theatre productions. Programs include writing and theatre residencies in schools, play development programs for non-school groups (i.e. seniors, emerging playwrights, youth and adults involved in foster care, the justice system, and immigration), training programs for educators, professional productions, and a statewide playwriting contest for youth, culminating in an annual festival of plays at a recognized theatre in San Diego.

Position:
The Contest Coordinator is a non-exempt employee reporting to the Youth Programs Manager. The position coordinates the 2025 California Young Playwrights Contest. This seasonal position starts with planning meetings and reader/letter writer outreach in May, script evaluation June-August, winner selection in September. A culminating event celebrating the winners is held in November.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in establishing and enforcing Contest timetable
• Reads and evaluates all scripts submitted to Contest
• Assembles panel of volunteer script readers and contracted letter writers
• Conducts digital and/or in-person orientation of volunteer reviewers and letter writers
• Facilitates letter writer contracts and volunteer reader agreements
  • Contracts/Agreements: updates template, distributes, collects letter writer contracts and volunteer readers’ agreements (which will include a statement of confidentiality), tracks receipt of documents
  • Invoices: updates template for each payment and submits to Youth Programs Manager for payment
  • Approves timecards for all letter writers
• Reads all letters to assure they are sensitive and respond appropriately to the plays.
• Completes script evaluation letters for 25-50 Contest submissions.
• Communicates with Admin. Assistant regarding number of submissions, updating of Contest entries Google sheet, and feedback received from readers and writers
• Corresponds with all script reviewers regarding script assignments, submission of script evaluations and feedback letters
• Advises on script selection
  • Coordinates with Admin. Assistant who culls scripts for top 35-50 scripts to submit to Executive Director & Youth Programs Manager for review
  • With Executive Director & Youth Programs Manager, determines top 10-12 scripts to send to final judges
  • Coordinates judges: Sends scripts to judges; collects and cull judges’ comments
  • Reviews judges’ comments with Executive Director and Youth Programs Manager to determine winners

For all activities, maintain calendars, records of communications, and database of participating schools, artists and technical contractors; assure costs are aligned with approved budget; oversee invoicing of schools or other contractors; assist with marketing programs to schools; report on activities. Assist with special projects.

Required Skills and Experience
The successful candidate will have proven commitment to arts education; excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience producing theatre, developing new plays, and managing arts programs; and a strong, collaborative work ethic.

Work Hours
This is a seasonal contract for a maximum of 175 hours in May to August 2025; hours per week fluctuate, and the work schedule beyond designated performance dates and deadlines is flexible.

We welcome the Contest Coordinator to participate as a presenter in the announcement of the winners at our annual Lights Up! Celebration in the fall and the Opening Night of the Plays by Young Writers Festival (for which complimentary tickets are provided). This is typically held on a Saturday afternoon in October/November, and we recognize that it may pose a conflict for theatre artists, so attendance is not required but is strongly encouraged.

Wages
Wages are paid on an hourly basis based on billable hours not to exceed 175 hours in the contract period. Pay scale ranges from $17.25-$18/hour, depending on experience.

To Apply
Submit resume and letter of interest to [e-mail] . Include Contest Coordinator in subject line.Seeking immediate hire; position open until filled.