If you always wanted to try your hand at playwriting, now is the time to do it.

The University of Lethbridge's Play Right Competition is only in its second year but the number of awards and amount of prizes available have dramatically increased.

Generously supported by U of L alumnus Terry Whitehead, the competition aims to encourage excellence and development in student playwriting.

"Students may write for class assignments or for themselves, but it is a totally different experience to write for a jury," says Marek Czuma, a member of the Play Right steering committee.

"In this competition, students have the opportunity to work to real-world standards. It is an
invaluable learning experience."

First prize in the competition includes a $1,500 award, dramaturgical support from the adjudicating jury, and a staged public reading of the winning play in March, 2009. For the first time, a second prize of $750 and third prize of $250 will also be awarded.

"The opportunity to hear your words spoken by actors is an amazing experience for a young playwright," Barbra French, the second member of the steering committee, adds.

The competition is open to all U of L undergraduate students. Scripts must be intended for the stage and not for television, film or other media. Reading time for a script should be no shorter than 30 minutes and no longer than 60 minutes. All scripts must be submitted to Mariette Beaudry in W850, by 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.