A brand new performance will be born in the 2001-2002 theatrical season of York Little Theatre, and any Pennsylvania playwright can be its creator.

The community theatre in York is accepting submissions of original, unproduced scripts to be considered for production as part of its main stage season.

Submissions from college students are welcomed.

"Talent isn't a matter of age," said artistic director Ron Jacoby.

"We're not asking for resumes, we're asking for scripts."

Submitted plays will be read by a number of boards and committees who will narrow them down to the one play that they feel deserves to be put on the schedule.

Jacoby said the theatre will afford every opportunity to the chosen play, making it "a full-fledged member of the rest of our theatre community."

Even before that selection, the submission process itself can be valuable to potential playwrights.

It's one thing to write a play and show it to some friends, Jacoby said, but professional critique is an important step in the work of a playwright.

Jacoby also said he believes York Little Theatre is serving the purpose of encouraging new playwrights, which is something Jacoby feels "we should be doing in all practice of theatre."

York Little Theatre's selection will serve as encouragement for the individual playwright as well.

To see how a play is built from the words on the page to the actual production "exposes the playwright to the process," Jacoby said, and it will give him or her the chance to learn their craft.

"The vision may be genius, but if the artist doesn't know how to stretch the canvas," Jacoby said, then he or she can't truly understand that craft. Additionally, the chosen playwright may gain hints and leads from the professionals with whom they'll work.

The selected play might just be a kick off for that playwright's career, he said.

The requirements for script submissions are a minimal or one stage set (due to the layout of the theatre itself), a non-musical and a cast of approximately 10 or fewer characters.

The playwright should reside in Pennsylvania and be available for consultation during rehearsal of their play.

Scripts should be submitted by April 30, 2001 to: Vice President of Artistic Support, York Little Theatre, 27 S. Belmont St., York, PA 17403.

Any questions can be answered by email at ylt-info@blazenet.net.