originally published: 01/23/2025

West Windsor Arts, in collaboration with the Historical Society of West Windsor and author/historian A. Brad Schwartz ("Broadcast Hysteria"), seeks a qualified playwright to create an original, interactive, and thought-provoking play titled The Broadcast Frenzy Radio Show. This project will engage audiences with humor, participatory elements, and explore the historical and cultural impact of Orson Welles's 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds and its local and national legacy, all while drawing connections to contemporary issues of media influence and "fake news."

The play will culminate in a staged reading on or near the anniversary of the broadcast, Thursday, October 30, 2025, at West Windsor Arts. This project offers a unique opportunity to engage with rich historical materials, community input, and a multidisciplinary creative team.

Submission Deadline: Applications must be received by January 31, 2025. Submissions should submitted via this Google FORM.

Selection Process: A panel comprising representatives from West Windsor Arts, the Historical Society of West Windsor, and A. Brad Schwartz will review submissions. Finalists may be invited to participate in an interview or submit additional materials.

This project aligns with the mission of West Windsor Arts to nurture artists and inspire community creativity by exploring critical social themes through historical and artistic lenses.

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Project Goals:

To dramatize the local and national response to the War of the Worlds broadcast, with a focus on West Windsor, NJ.
To foster critical analysis of media influence, past and present.
To create an engaging, interactive play that incorporates humor and participatory elements to involve the audience.
To produce a staged reading as a first step toward future performances.

Scope of Work: The selected playwright will:

Conduct Research:

Review historical materials provided by A. Brad Schwartz, the Historical Society of West Windsor, and the Sarnoff Collection.
Incorporate insights from letters written to Orson Welles post-broadcast, provided by the University of Michigan’s digital collection.
Engage with local families and witnesses to gather personal narratives.

Collaborate:

Work closely with the creative team, including A. Brad Schwartz, West Windsor Arts Executive Director Aylin Green, and HSWW President Paul Ligeti.

Develop the Script:

Create a narrative structure and deliver a first draft by April 2025.
Incorporate feedback through one round of revisions in June 2025 and a final revision due in December 2025.

Participate in Production:

Attend production meetings and rehearsals in October 2025.
Support the creative team during the staged reading and audience talkback.

Integrate Interactive Elements:

Design improvisational and audience-engagement components to ensure dynamic annual performances.

Timeline:

January 6, 2025: RFQ released.
February 14, 2025: Playwright selected and contracted.
March 2025: Meetings with the creative team begin.
April 2025: First draft due.
June 2025: Script revision due.
July 2025: Final script completed.
August – September 2025: Open auditions for community actors.
September – October 2025: Rehearsals and staged reading.
December 2025: Final script updates based on audience feedback.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will:

Have a strong background in play writing, with demonstrated experience creating historically grounded and interactive works.
Show proficiency in translating historical research into compelling narratives.
Have a collaborative approach to working with multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrate a commitment to fostering audience engagement and media literacy.

Compensation: The selected playwright will receive a stipend of $4,000 to cover research, writing, and collaboration efforts.

Submission Requirements: Interested applicants should submit the following:

Resume/CV: Highlighting relevant experience in play writing and historical projects.
Work Samples: Provide up to two samples of previous work (scripts or excerpts).
Statement of Interest: Explain your approach to the project and how your skills align with the goals of The Broadcast Frenzy Radio Show.
References: Include two professional references familiar with your work.

Additional Information: West Windsor Arts retains the rights to the completed play as well as all draft versions. It will also retain rights to perform the play as a reading or full performance in perpetuity. The playwright will be credited as the author.

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