ACT's David Mamet Writing Contest Winners Announced

After reading and evaluating more than 60 entries in the days following the January 11 deadline of A.C.T.'s third David Mamet Writing Contest, the eleven winners of the contest have been announced. Held in conjunction with A.C.T.'s smash hit production of Mamet's Speed-the-Plow-playing through February 3-the contest drew more than 60 entries from around the country, and as far away as Sweden.

The guidelines for the contest called for three-page scenes that rewrite a classic film scene à la Mamet, show a Mamet character experiencing a "Hollywood" moment, or depict characters from a Mamet work placed in an iconic film moment, and the entries received seemed to follow several distinct trends. Topping the list, there were no fewer than nine entries based on The Wizard of Oz; four gave a Mamet-like take on Gone with the Wind; and Star Wars, It's a Wonderful Life, and 2001: A Space Odyssey were each the subject of three entered scenes. According to A.C.T. promotions manager Randy Taradash, one especially amusing script placed the two sparring character's from Mamet's Oleanna on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," while another set up Kathy Griffin on a date with Alec Baldwin's character from State and Main. Favorite titles include Oklaholeanna and Oleanna and the King.

A.C.T.'s graduating class of M.F.A. Program students will present the winning pieces in public readings in Fred's Columbia Room at the American Conservatory Theater this Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26, 2008. The general public is welcome to attend these late-night events, following 8 p.m. performances of Speed-the-Plow. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 415.439.2446. For more information on the contest, please see below or visit www.act-sf.org/mamet, and for ticketing information, please contact A.C.T. Ticket Services at www.act-sf.org, or by phone at 415.749.2228.

The reading schedule is as follows for Friday, 1/25: Phone Home, by Molly Rhodes, Night of the Living Dead - Deleted Scene, by Daniel Heath, Eye of the Beholder, by Steven M. Salzman, Gone with the F*****' Wind, by Gary Bolen, The Mamet of Oz, by Brian MacDougall

On Saturday, 1/26: Glen Garry Glen Braveheart, by Aaron Van Gossen, Mamet's When Harry Met Sally, by E. Kristin Carlson, Oklaholeanna, by Vicki Anderson, Danny and Bernard Backstage at the Dr. Phil Show, by Jonathan Joy, The Hal Variations, by Ross Peter Nelson, Emerald City Takedown, by Dennis Charles.

Fred's Columbia Room at the American Conservatory Theater is located at 415 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. For ticket services call 415.749.2228 or log onto: www.act-sf.org