Submissions for ‘Sex/Death’ play due Wednesday

The Bloomington Playwrights Project is looking for talented playwrights to be a part of its fifth production of the dark alley series, “Sex/Death.” \n“Sex/Death” is a contest in which writers submit plays that break the norm, combining a bit of the dark side and the provocative world. \nOne- to seven-minute play submissions are due by e-mail at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Contest officials will choose 10 different submissions to be turned into productions. Within the next week, the project will hold call-outs for auditions.\nGabe Gloden, the Bloomington Playwrights Project’s public relations director, said the project is competitive for a reason.\n“We are looking for the best of the best,” he said. \nAlready, the BPP has received 150 submissions – and Gloden said the group is not ready to give up its search. Though writers from different places are welcomed, he said local writers are preferred.\n“It’s important to get local playwrights’ stage production,” he said. \nGloden said that “Sex/Death” tends to appeal to a younger crowd.\nThe contents of the featured plays may raise an eyebrow or two, and he said a mature audience is necessary.\n“It is very in-your-face,” said Richard Perez, the Project’s artistic director.\nGloden said most of the shows are provocative and will challenge the audiences, but they’re still entertaining, he said. \n“The audience will not be in shock but they are not going to see this in any other theater,” Gloden said. “It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s the R-rated movie of theater.”\nIn the past, “Sex/Death” struggled to pull in an audience because of the low seating capacity in the Project’s old building, he said. Now, the group has a new theater and can seat close to 100 people. Gloden said “Sex/Death” is gradually growing and becoming more popular, specifically by targeting a late-night crowd. \nThe “Sex/Death” performances take place at 10 p.m. and will be held Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12. Tickets are $5. \nGolden said playwrights, actors, actresses and attendees shouldn’t miss out on this artistic experience.\n“They are definitely going to be surprised,” he said. “People see theater as Broadway or a high school play, and there is no other theater play to break them of that than ‘Sex/Death.’”\nFor more information on the Bloomington Playwrights Project and other productions, visit www.newplays.org.