We are proud to showcase the winners
of our International Audio + Theatre
Script Competition

Third Annual Competition

GRAND PRIZE
Duet for One
by Michael Barrington
of Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK

Sheridan Springsteen (real name: Stanley Simms) is an unpleasant little Welshman who, following a succession of unsuccessful jobs, is now the proprietor of a remote Cornish hotel, which he runs with his long-suffering wife, Maggie, and which, characteristically, he has christened 'Springsteen's'. Stan soon discovers that it takes more than a new name to attract custom and, therefore, attempts to drum up extra trade by appointing himself Special Events Organiser.

Maggie Springsteen is a pleasant woman who might have continued to aspire towards a musical career had it not been for her disastrous choice of husband. Springsteen's May Bank Holiday Activity Weekend comprises the convergence of two disparate groups of hotel guests, one embarking upon a Team Building Event, the other a Murder Mystery - thus mistaken identity runs riot. The Team Builders comprise a group of business executives who, in order to protect the good name of their company, have been told to pretend to be meteorologists on a training weekend.

The Murder Mystery guests are a group of geriatric ramblers, who are under strict instructions from ' Sheridan ' that they must remain in character at all times. Confusion quickly descends into mayhem with the arrival of an American hit-man to carry out a contract killing, causing a spoof murder to become real when 'Mac', bless him, fulfils his contract almost to perfection.

'Almost'? Yes. You see, he almost kills the right man.

FIRST PLACE
The Snowman Always Shovels Twice
by Erik Deckers
of Syracuse, Indiana, USA

Everyone knows public radio is a high dollar business, with plenty of resources, ample space, and huge salaries and perks for upper management. But not everyone is happy with what they've got.

During a surprise blizzard, seven station employees are recording an audio theater play, when a shot rings out. Everyone assumes it's just the sound effects gun until the music engineer falls over dead. The remaining cast members wait for the police, who won't arrive for another hour.

But in the spirit of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None," other people are murdered by an unknown killer. Rather than sit around and wait, Jane takes charge and searches for the killer before he finds them. But time is running out for Jane and her co-workers as the dead threaten to outnumber the living.

SECOND PLACE
All Change at Reincarnation Central
by David Gasking
of Carr-Bridge, Scotland

We invite you to participate in our next competition!
Annual Deadline for Entries is December 31

Second Annual Competition

GRAND PRIZE
"The Valhalla Triangle"
by David Gasking
of Carr-Bridge, Scotland

The three Norse gods Odin, Freya and Thor have been trapped for millennia in an enchanted underground cavern. Now at long last they have broken free. Two intrepid Scottish vulcanologists visiting a new volcano are pursued home by a flying golden chariot. The gods introduce themselves and announce that the two scientists are just the heroes they need to help in the campaign to regain command of the earth. And so the adventure begins!

FIRST PLACE
"She-Who-is-Made-Of-Clay"
by Simon Levy
CA, USA

She-Who-Is-Made-Of-Clay, the last of the California Yokuts Indians, performs the Rites of the Dead for his/her people. S/he is a berdache, a third gender, what modern people might call a transvestite. In the Yokut culture, s/he is a revered shaman who straddles the world between man and woman. Only he can bury the dead of her people; and on this, his last day, she prepares to saves the souls of her people by summoning the Great Rattlesnake God who will will take them -- and her -- to Tihpiknits Pahn, or heaven. This is her story, and journey, from small boy to berdache, from shaman to savior. An epic adventure of an astonisingly unique individual and a People who are no more.

First Annual Competition
GRAND PRIZE
"Boudica"
by Lisa Humberston
NY, USA

Lisa Humberson's breath-takingly eloquent and powerful historical drama "Boudica" is a true standout in contemporary audio theatre scriptwriting vision and technique. We are honored to present the tale of Boudica (also known as Boudicea), an ancient Iceni Queen who battled the invading Roman Empire.

FIRST PLACE
"The Unraveling"
by Kevin James Miller
USA

Alice Hammond is living a nightmare. Who is the mysterious man who haunts her dreams? And why have strangers started following her? The answers are more shocking than Alice could ever imagine in this inventive and compelling mystery noir by award-winner Kevin James Miller. Try to solve a mystery as it unravels in front of you. A brilliant new sci-fi flavored drama awaits!

JUDGES AWARD
Mind's Ear honored the collected works of prolific playwright Ron Buckinger with a special Judges Award.