How does Short+Sweet work?
The first call goes out in August, and the deadline for actors and directors to register, and writers to submit their scripts, is early November. We select the best scripts and send them to the registered directors, who choose the script they would like to direct. At the beginning of December, we hold open auditions for the actors, and the directors cast from that pool. We follow the same structure every year.
Is the festival growing in size by the year?
This year we have 70 plays over the four weekends. Last year, we had 60. So, yes, it’s growing every year.
How do you choose which plays to showcase during the festival and which ones to shortlist for the closing weekend?
We look at them based on the combined experience level of the director, writer and actors. The most experienced groups, and the theatre companies, get showcased in the Top 35. The remaining become Wild Card entries, which are a very mixed bag. You see some absolutely fantastic productions, and then you see some that need a bit of work. In the Top 35, you see more polished theatre. At every show, the audience gets a voting slip and they vote for their favourite play. We also have anonymous judges. The feedback decides who goes through to the finals.
Is Short+Sweet open to everyone?
Yes, from independent theatre companies that bring their own shows to individual actors, directors and writers, who can create their own groups. Some people are professional actors with many years of acting experience. We also have people for whom this is the first time on stage.
How can people get listed with Constellation?
What we require is a headshot and a brief acting biography, which can be emailed to liz@constellation.ae or alex@constellation.ae.