TNT POPS! Process and Prizes

Theatre Network of Texas, Inc. (TNT) uses a blind submission AND a three tier blind reading process.

Submitted scripts DO NOT include the playwrights name or identifier of any kind.

Script readers are selected from theatre professionals from across the U.S. and Canada. Script readers score scripts using the following evaluation criteria – elaborating as needed.

  1. CONTENT (Is the content of the script timely, creative, visual?) – 15 points
  2. PLOT (Is the plot easy to follow, creative and keep your attention?) – 15 points
  3. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT (Are the characters believable, creative, did they reach their goals, were they instrumental to the cause and effect?)- 15 points
  4. THEME CONSISTENCY (Is the theme of the script well-defined and does it hold the play together?) — 15 points
  5. PRODUCTION CHARACTERISTICS (Is the script easy to stage and design at theatres with varying budgets? Are there production challenges that restrict universal production?) – 15 points
  6. PASSION (Is the script original? Did it have new or reimagined ideas? Was there true passion in the writing?) – 25 points

TNT POPS! Uses a three tiered blind reading system – outlined below

Tier 1 – Script readers are divided into reading groups and can read up to 10 full scripts within a 7 week time frame. A script is read and scored more than once by different readers. Groups are generally 5 – 8 readers per group. The top 10 – 15 scoring scripts advance to Tier 2. Advancement is decided by scores and evaluations.

Tier 2 – Script readers read all Tier 2 scripts within a 4 week time frame. This is a smaller group of readers who did not participate in the Tier 1 reading process. This is usually no more than 5 readers – with an extensive play reading background. The top 5 – 8 scoring scripts advance to Tier 3. Advancement is decided by scores and evaluations.

Tier 3 – Script readers read all Tier 3 scripts within a 4 week time frame. Readers are interested producing theatres. Each company will score the scripts and submit their results after the 4 weeks. Winning selections are made by scripts receiving the highest scores and 4 producers are selected – according to their highest scores as winning selections.

TNT does honor all theatrical season announcement embargoes but does execute contracts between the playwright and producing theatre with an embargo rider. Winning scripts are announced publicly at TEXFest in February.

Winning Playwrights receive a $1,000 cash prize delivered on opening night. The playwright must attend opening night – cost covered by the producing theatre.

Producing Theatres receive a $4,000 cash prize delivered on opening night. Prize money used to bring in the playwright for opening night and production costs.

2023 – 24 Timeline

Script Submission Open – August 1, 2023

Producer Registration Open – September 1, 2023

Script Submission Deadline – September 29, 2023

Producer Interest Deadline – October 2, 2023

Reading of scripts – Oct 2, 2023 – Jan. 26, 2024

  • Round 1 – Oct 2, 2023 – Nov. 17, 2023
  • Round 2 – Nov. 20, 2023 – Dec. 15, 2023
  • Round 3 – Dec. 18, 2023 – Jan. 12, 2024

Winner Announcement – February 2024 – TEXFest (theatre season announcement embargoes honored)

Winning script must be produced between March 2024 – December 31, 2025.