The New Hampshire Writers’ Project is currently accepting submissions for the Biennial New Hampshire Literary Awards. Submissions are being accepted until 5 p.m. on June 21, 2021. The NH Literary Awards recognize published works written about New Hampshire as well as works written by New Hampshire natives or residents. Books may be nominated in the following categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s picture books, middle grade/young adult books. All entries will be read and evaluated by a panel of judges assembled by the NHWP. The judges are teachers, librarians and readers from the state of New Hampshire and are independent of NHWP. Concurrently, there will be a second opportunity for recognition through the Readers’ Choice Awards. For the Reader’s Choice Awards, beginning in late August, anyone will be able to cast one vote online for their favorite nominee in each category. To be eligible, books must have been published between Jan. 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2020. Visit nhwritersproject.org/new-hampshire-literary-awards/ for more information about the submission process.
The Community Players of Concord and Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative – the new theatre program at the Belknap Mill and the resident theatre company of the Colonial Theatre – are collaborating to produce a Zoom Play Festival this month. Seven teams have been hard at work creating theatre magic designed to be performed on Zoom. The plays were all written by New Hampshire playwrights who participated in the Players/Powerhouse Fall 2020 playwriting workshop, including Chuck Fray, Doug Schwarz, Doreen Sheppard, Sharleigh Thompson, and Brenda Wilbert. The directors include Doris Ballard, Ken Chapman, Lauren Shelby Douglas, Katie Dunn, Katie Griffiths, Joel Iwaskiewicz, and Judi Rogato. The Festival is generously sponsored by Taylor Community and Chisholm, Persson and Ball PC. Powerhouse producer Bryan Halperin led the fall workshop. “Knowing that presenting these plays in the Spring of 2021 would be complicated by Covid, we purposely asked the playwrights to write something either designed to be played on Zoom, or outdoors in a park setting. This has given local actors and directors a chance to get back into theatre in a safe manner,” says Halperin. The Zoom Festival will premiere on April 16 on YouTube and be available to watch any time through April 25. The YouTube link will be available on Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative’s and the Community Players of Concord’s Facebook and website pages. There is no fee to watch the plays, but if a viewer is inspired to help Powerhouse and the Players raise money for future productions, donations to both organizations will be gladly accepted via their websites. While developing new works will not be the norm for Powerhouse, “it’s nice to provide an opportunity once in a while for local artists to try their hands in new roles, whether it be acting, directing or playwriting. And in the meantime over 30 people have had a chance to do theatre during Covid!” says Halperin. Details on the May outdoor Park Play Festival in Rotary Park will be forthcoming. While there is nothing particularly inappropriate for younger viewers in either festival, the subject matter of the plays is more geared towards older teens and adults. Powerhouse’s 2021 season is generously sponsored by Spectacle Live. For more information about the Community Players of Concord, visit communityplayersofconcord.org. For more details on Powerhouse and all the programs at the Belknap Mill, visit belknapmill.org.