Following an incredibly successful launch year for Spotlight Studio in 2022, CEPA is again looking to expand its digital performance opportunities in 2021/2022.
Mandated closures during the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 required the organization to pursue new methods for directors, actors and tech operators in the Spotlight St. Clair program to showcase their talents. Expanding into digital production came naturally for many Club members, and a year that started in disappointment ended with the creation of both The Black Box by Spotlight Studio audio performance podcast and the Spotlight Films program.
In 2021, CEPA will again expand with new, exciting opportunities for Club members to explore the digital side of performing arts.
Spotlight Films 2022 Contest
In 2021, Saints in the Spotlight director and actor Lacey Pierson was selected to lead the organization’s first push into filmmaking. She and her fellow Club members recorded “A Hallmark Christmas” for The Black Box, which was chosen to be the first short produced by Spotlight Films.
The final product, a short film titled “Miss Christmas Business”, was selected and screened during the 2021 Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham, one of the largest international film festivals in the Southeast.
Spotlight Studio will select another podcast script to convert into a short film in 2021 through this contest. Production of the audio script will be completed by the end of 2021, and film production will begin in December or January 2021.
The Black Box Season 2 Contest Rules
- Deadline: October 31
- Open to all Spotlight Club members. All Club members are encouraged to participate. No age requirements.
- Complete and submit a script for a dramatic audio performance. Scripts should be less than 20 minutes. The subject matter can be anything, but the script must be family-friendly.
- Scripts will be reviewed and selected for production as podcasts for The Black Box Season 2 by Spotlight leadership.
- Selection will be based on quality of writing, subject matter, and feasibility of production.
- At least one script from each Club will be selected for production. Authors of selected scripts will receive a $50 award.
- Additional scripts may be selected at the discretion of Spotlight leadership.
- Selected authors will have the ability to cast and direct the audio performance for their scripts.
Spotlight Films 2022 Contest Rules
- One script will be selected from the Black Box Season 2 to be made into a short film.
- Selection will be based on quality of writing, subject matter, and feasibility of production.
- The author of the selected script will receive a $250 award.
- The selected author will have the ability to cast and direct a short film based on the script.
- CEPA / Spotlight Films will fund film production. The budget will be determined at a later date.
- CEPA / Spotlight Films will pay for the entry fee for the 2022 Sidewalk Film Festival and associated costs related to attending the festival for the author and members of the production team.
Ghosts of CEPA 2022 Script Contest
Is CEPA a home for ghosts? It’s a question that’s been asked by performers and crew for more than a decade, as people have reported strange noises and sightings through the years and the facility is listed as one of Alabama’s haunted places.
In 2021, Spotlight Studio is challenging Club members to explore the possibility of the paranormal in their home theater by writing a script for fictional tale of a ghostly encounter in the building – or by expounding on a story that already exists.
- Deadline: October 8
- Open to all Spotlight Club members. All Club members are encouraged to participate. No age requirements.
- Complete and submit a script for a dramatic audio performance focused on the theme “Ghosts of CEPA.” Scripts should be less than 20 minutes. The script must be family-friendly.
- Scripts will be reviewed and selected for production as the season-opening podcast for The Black Box Season 2 by Spotlight leadership.
- Selection will be based on quality of writing, subject matter, and feasibility of production.
- One script will be selected for production. The author of the selected script will receive a $100 award.
- Additional scripts may be selected at the discretion of Spotlight leadership.
- The selected author will have the ability to cast and direct the audio performance for their script.
- Recording will take place on the CEPA stage in the dark during a special event.
Drama Camp Musical 2022 Contest
Spotlight is looking for Club members interested in producing musical theater from scratch. In 2022, we aim to produce the first musical written by a Spotlight Club member during Spotlight Drama Camp scheduled for Summer 2022.
Writing a complete musical will be a sizable undertaking for the Club or individual selected for this project, so Spotlight Studio is starting with a contest that only asks for the basic building blocks of musical theater – a plot and the lyrics to one song.
- Deadline: October 31
- Open to all Spotlight Club members. All Club members are encouraged to participate. No age requirements.
- Complete and submit a plot description and the lyrics for one song for an original children’s musical.
- No restrictions on subject matter, but the plot should be exciting for children ages 6-12 and should be family friendly.
- Submissions will be reviewed and selected for possible advancement by Spotlight leadership.
- Selection will be based on quality of writing, subject matter, and feasibility of production.
- Author of the selected submission will receive a $50 award and will be considered for a $250 script-writing contract to complete a 45-minute musical based on the submission.