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Call for Scripts: Chatterbox Audio Theater Seeks Horror Stories for Halloween Broadcast

Chatterbox Audio Theater  — internationally recognized for its innovative storytelling and modern take on the classic art of “radio theater” — recently announced its 2014 Halloween Script Competition. The theater is actively seeking original horror stories and bone-chilling adaptations of well-known myths or folk tales for its audio scare-fest, to be broadcast and streamed live by 91.1 WKNO-FM Halloween night, Friday, October 31.

“Writing for audio is great fun, but it’s also not a genre most people consider anymore,” says Chatterbox executive director Robert Arnold. “I hope this contest sparks the imagination of writers who normally write for the page, screen, or stage. I think they’ll find that, of all the different media, audio is actually the most effective way to terrify an audience.”

In addition to having their stories broadcast Halloween night, winning writers will be able to send future listeners and fans to the Chatterbox website at www.chatterboxtheater.org where the recorded broadcast will be made permanently available for free streaming and downloading.

“It’s an amazing chance to have your stories heard,” says Chatterbox contributing writer Deborah Hyatt. “People can listen to the broadcast on the radio or online, and catch it again later at the Chatterbox website, so the work stays out there, stays alive and accessible to new listeners. And Chatterbox loves great stories. It’s truly a writer’s playhouse.”

For this year’s competition, writers and writing teams can submit scripts in two categories: Feature Stories (15-20 pages) and Flash Horror (1-5 pages). Entries will be accepted July 1 through August 15, and winners will be announced on or around September 1. Complete guidelines are available online at www.chatterboxtheater.org.

Writers are encouraged to visit Chatterbox’s Shows page and listen to previous Halloween productions to gain a sense of the stories and content the theater is seeking for this particular competition.

“We’ve been scaring and surprising listeners for years with our live Halloween broadcast,” Arnold said. “This year, we’re asking writers and creative folks around the world to scare and surprise us. I can’t wait to read what people come up with.”

As a contemporary, web-based community theater with roots in the physical and virtual worlds, Chatterbox Audio Theater utilizes many of the same tools and techniques common in radio drama productions of the 1930s and 40s, but in fresh, modern and innovative ways. The theater produces an array of programming, including literary adaptations, original dramas, alternative fiction, live sketch comedy, children’s theater shows, documentaries, and special events such as its stage production of “Argonautica” (see video clip).

All shows are posted on www.chatterboxtheater.org. Visitors can check out the latest news, listen to shows, view original commissioned artworks and production photos, and read cast and crew bios. Video clips of live performances can be seen on Chatterbox’s YouTube channel.

Gallery Credits:

Kim Justis on wind machine for “Burning Cold,” 2010 Halloween Show — photo by Charlene Honeycutt
Rebecca Greer and Kell Christie performing in “Boil,” 2009 Halloween Show — photo by Karen Strachan
“Hypnosis” art (detail) by Kenneth Shofela Coker, 2009 Halloween Show
“EVP” art by Derrick Dent, 2010 Halloween Show

About WKNO

WKNO, which operates 91.1 WKNO-FM and Channel 10 WKNO-TV, is the Mid-South’s premier public media organization committed to creating and presenting both unique local and national content for television, radio and digital media. Visit www.wkno.org for more information.

About Chatterbox Audio Theater

Chatterbox Audio Theater, a nonprofit organization founded in 2007, is dedicated to its mission of “sparking imaginations through outstanding theatrical recordings.” Based in Memphis, Tennessee, with additional productions created in Kansas City, Missouri, Chatterbox creates fully soundscaped audio works for free streaming and download. Visit www.chatterboxtheater.org for more information.

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Name: Robert Arnold
Phone: (901) 230-0806
Website: https://www.chatterboxtheater.org