Published by New Jersey Stage
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.
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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Ritz Theatre Company presents 2026 One-Act Play Festival
(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents their 2026 One-Act Play Festival from August 28-29. The festival features one-act comedies from practicing and promised playwrights from around the world!
George Street Playhouse presents "Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares"
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares - a comedy show with original songs from August 26-30, 2026. Direct from an acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe and two sold-out Off-Broadway engagements comes this one-woman comedy show from the mind of Tony Award® winner Laura Benanti.
Spring Lake Theatre Company presents "Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret"
(SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- Spring Lake Theatre Company presents two performances of Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret from August 29-30, 2026. This is a one-act play from the experiences of America's longest war, blending heartfelt storytelling with a unique cast of combat veterans and military family members.
Bell Theater at Bell Works presents Broadway Sings for Aaron Lazar on August 31
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- In 2022, as the world was finally coming out of COVID-19, Aaron Lazar was invited to return to the stage to lead the cast of The Bridges of Madison County, playing opposite Kate Baldwin at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. Just days into rehearsal, Lazar received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurological disease with no known cure. Thus began Lazar's "extraordinary" journey.
Light Opera of New Jersey to Hold Auditions for "Amahl and The Night Visitors"
(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey will hold auditions for Amahl and the Night Visitors, a heartwarming holiday opera, on August 27th and September 3rd from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be on September 5th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Auditions will be in Basking Ridge. Registrants will be advised of exact location after registering. All roles are opened and paid.
Haddonfield Plays & Players presents "Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis"
(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- What happens when fantasy meets 50-something reality? Find out when Haddonfield Plays & Players presents Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis from September 4-6, 2026. This is a sharp-witted, satirical play written by Amy Ferris and adapted from her best-selling memoir.
Fifth Annual Broadway in the Park concert to Take Place September 7th
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- SOMA Stage presents the fifth annual Broadway in the Park concert on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026 at the Memorial Park Amphitheater in Maplewood. This year's concert, Broadway in the Park: Let's Rock!, features Broadway's biggest rock and pop hits from the 1950s through today. Showtime is 4:30pm.
East Lynne Theater Company presents the New Jersey Premiere of "Lunar Eclipse" by Donald Margulies
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- East Lynne Theater Company presents the New Jersey Premiere of Lunar Eclipse by Donald Margulies from August 27 through September 20, 2026. In the play, George has been waiting for this night – the seven stages of a lunar eclipse are viewable from the farm that he shares with his wife Em – and she decides to join him in taking in the view.
Nutley Little Theatre presents "A Doll's House, Part 2"
(NUTLEY, NJ) -- Fifteen years after leaving her family and stagnant marriage, Henrik Ibsen's Nora returns home in Lucas Hnath's A Doll's House Part 2. Nutley Little Theatre presents this sequel to Ibsen's classic play across three weekends from September 11-26, 2026.
Center Players to present "The Realistic Joneses" at the Jersey Shore Arts Center
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Center Players of Freehold will present The Realistic Joneses by Will Eno as its first Signature Series production of the 2026-27 season. Directed by Center Players’ Artistic Director Michael Tota, the production will run from October 2-4 at the Herbst Theatre at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, marking the first time Center Players has performed in the venue.
FEATURED EVENTS
