The Robert J. Pickering / J.R. Colbeck Award for Playwriting Excellence
This annual award was established to honor past member and playwright, Bob Pickering, and to provide a vehicle for playwrights to see their works produced. In 2020, the award was renamed to also honor longtime BCCT member and Pickering director, J.R. Colbeck. $200 is awarded for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place.
Deadline
Manuscripts must be received by December 31st each year.
Types of Plays Accepted
Full length, unproduced plays and musicals. Children's plays are accepted. We are unable to return without a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Selection Process
BCCT committee members read and review each entry and select ten finalists from which the first, second, and third place winners are chosen by the membership at large.
Production
BCCT reserves the right and agrees to produce the first place winner in this yearly competition. First place winners are required to sign a production contract.
Production House
BCCT productions are staged in the historic Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater, Michigan. Built in 1882, Tibbits is a completely restored 500-seat proscenium theater.
How to Submit
BCCT does not accept digital submissions. Send hard-copy submissions to:
Branch County Community Theatre
14 S. Hanchett St.
Coldwater, MI 49036
Past Pickering / Colbeck Winners
Check out our YouTube playlist of all available Pickering/Colbeck videos!
- 2024: Yazoo Miss'ssippi
- 2023: Love...or Best Offer
- 2022: The Marriage Pickle: Untying the Not
- 2021: The Sin Eater
- 2020: The ABCs of LGBT at the Rainbow Valley B 'n' B
- 2019: In Like Flint
- 2018: Final Appearance
- 2017: ME 3
- 2016: The Bridge
- 2015: Night Comes Early
- 2014: Golden Age
- 2013: On Bended Knee
- 2012: What Would Dickens Do?
- 2011: Daddy's Girls / The Calibration of Bliss
- 2010: The Connoisseurs
- 2009: No Body Like Jimmy
- 2008: Keeping Faith
- 2007: To Whom God Speaks
- 2006: Authors Anonymous
- 2005: Interruptions
- 2004: Drinking Habits
- 2003: Companion Pieces
- 2002: Folé! Olé!
- 2001: Grand Forks Detour
- 2000: Hey, Dick
- 1999: Genie in Love
- 1998: Everything's Relative
- 1997: The Will of George
- 1996: Things That Go Bad in the Night
- 1995: The Death and Sales of Alexander Goland
- 1994: Slow Burn of Deceit
- 1993: Match Point
- 1992: House of Wonders
- 1991: To Wit
- 1990: Absurdly Yours
- 1989: Murder Most Fouled Up
- 1988: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
- 1987: Big Al Goes Straight
- 1986: Folly's Quarter
- 1985: Cooperative Living
- 1984: Hang Onto the Horse
- 1981: A Nice Place to Visit
- 1979: A Slight Exaggeration