The Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society this week announced the six finalists for the annual Famous for 15 Minutes playwriting competition to be held at the end of June.

Since 2002, Bermuda's aspiring playwrights have battled to win the Famous for 15 Minutes prestigious and heavy Golden Inkwell trophy by submitting one or two 15-minute plays for consideration.

Out of 16 submissions, the following six were selected to be produced and performed during the June 25 to June 30 run:

* A Walk in the Park by Carol Birch

* Continuously Equidistant by John Gardner

* A Work of Fiction by Barbara Jones

* Grass is Greener by Deborah Pharoah

* 9 Months by Nancy Thompson

* A Bermuda Triangle by Christian Zabriskie

Last year's winner was Margie Harriott with the 'The Art Lesson'.

Submissions were reviewed by a panel of three judges that included Stewart J. Zully, Clifford Lee Johnson III and Tom Coash.

Mr. Zully produced a one-act festival in Los Angeles premiering playwrights such as Arthur Miller and David Lindsay, who penned the 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama — 'Abaire'. As an actor, he has appeared in numerous feature films and has a recurring role as Tony's accountant on 'The Sopranos'.

Mr. Johnson has been the Director of Musical Development at Manhattan Theatre Club (NYC) since January 1993. Prior to that he was the Assistant Literary Manager at the Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Tom Coash is a playwright and director currently serving as the Director of New Play Development at Stageworks/Hudson in NY. Mr. Coash was one of the founders of the Famous For Fifteen Minutes Festival and has served as a "Celebrity Judge" in previous productions.

First prize, or the Golden Inkwell award, will be announced after the final performance on June 30 — the Gala Night — by a 'celebrity judge' whose identity will be announced at a later date.

Auditions for all of the six plays will take place on May 15 and 16 between 6.30 and 8 p.m. at Daylesford Theatre. This is an open audition in the theatre. Those auditioning will be required to perform a selected piece from one or more of the six plays. Audition materials will be available on the night.

Anyone who would like to assist with backstage production, lighting, sound, front of house (managers, ushers), wardrobe or box office should attend a meeting at Daylesford on May 17 May at 6.30 p.m.

For additional information on Famous For 15 Minutes and other BMDS productions, check their website www.bmds.bm.