Dennis' short screenplay MY DATE WITH ADAM was pitched at the Film Factory event at Point Park Theater on Saturday, April 20th and moved on to  the next round as one of the three Finalists.

Read the recap of the event here.

Dennis will now do his final pitch and hear the draft of the script read by Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama students at the Philip Chosky Theater on Saturday, May 11th for the final event "And The Winner is...".  After the reading and pitch, panelists will give feedback and deliberate who will receive the award. Past panelists have included actor David Conrad (Ghost Whisperer, Wedding Crashers), producer Chris Moore (Good Will Hunting, Promised Land), producer Bernie Goldmann (300) and director Jamie Widdoes (Two and a Half Men).

Get your tickets for the event here.

The grand prize package is a trip to Hollywood and up to $30,000 of funding to produce and shoot the short film in the western Pennsylvania area during the summer or fall of 2013.  

"This year's entries are outstanding and highlight the wealth of talent here in Pittsburgh," Carl Kurlander, Steeltown Entertainment Project's President and CEO, said. "The Film Factory Competition proves that our region has what it takes to be a player in creating world-class entertainment. We are excited that previous Film Factory finalists have had their films screened at national festivals, picked up for distribution, and bought by a major Hollywood studio. And the competition continues to grow at a rapid pace and provide aspiring filmmakers with an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their skills."

(Below, concept art by Anne Mundell for the Director's Pitch)

Dennis' short script MY DATE WITH ADAM has moved on to the semi-finalist round to compete for up to $30,000 to produce the film.  His script was selected out of a record number of 256 entrants.  On Saturday, April 20th, Dennis will be joined by the other four semifinalists in a "Director's Pitch" event at Point Park University in the GRW Theater.  They will present for three panelists--Chris Keyser, President of the Writers Guild of America, West and producers Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts.

For more information and to get tickets to the event, click here.

Saturday, April 6th saw the world premiere of Dennis' new ten-minute play HIPSTERS IN LOVE at the New Hazlett Theatre, produced by Bricolage Production Company.  The play about two hipsters visiting a bar in the suburbs of Pittsburgh to recapture the memories of their first  love was inspired by the bus ride Dennis took for B.U.S. 8 on the Friday night before.  It was written in the short span of an evening specifically for four incredibly talented local actors (Sharon Brady, Paul Guggenheimer, Jason McCune, Adrienne Wehr).  Dennis was thrilled and honored to be part of this fundraising event for Bricolage for a second ride and hopes he will join the B.U.S. another time in the future.

Take a look at Jason Cohn's video of the craziness of the event.
"Inspired by a 90-minute city bus ride, a crew of more than 40 writers, directors, and actors have just 24 hours to write, direct, and memorize six new 10-minute plays. The last stop on the journey is an unforgettable performance at The New Hazlett Theater. This is a documentary of the process leading up to the performance, produced entirely in the same 24 hours. An incredible line-up of artists risk their creative necks to support Pittsburgh's Bricolage Production Company and their 2013 season."

Dennis is excited to be joining B.U.S. 8 this coming Friday and Saturday, April 5th and 6th.  B.U.S. (otherwise known as the Bricolage Urban Sprawl) is the most epic fundraiser in town, putting playwrights on a 90 minute bus ride through Pittsburgh and giving them less than 12 hours to write a play.  That play is handed off to directors and actors who rehearse all day and present the plays that night.

This year B.U.S. 8 is bigger and better--the performance has been moved to the New Hazlett Theater and they've got more tiered pricing for artists, students and others. More information on the artists and how to get tickets below!


B.U.S 8 - Tickets on sale now!

Friday & Saturday, April 5 & 6, 2013

B.U.S is back and it's bigger, bolder, and better than ever! It's the only fundraiser of its kind in Pittsburgh, and this year we are pulling out all the stops!

An incredible line-up of local artists risk their creative necks to support Bricolage’s 2013 season. Inspired by a 90-minute city bus ride, a crew of more than 40 writers, directors, and actors have just 24 hours to write, direct, and memorize six new 10-minute plays. The last stop on the journey is an unforgettable performance at The New Hazlett Theater. Join us for food, libations, performances, music, and a silent auction in Bricolage’s typical raucous style.  Come aboard, take a seat, and watch as the story unfolds. It’s going to be an amazing ride.

Early ticket buyers will have the best seats, so don't wait!  

BUY TICKETS HERE

Host Committee Co-Chairs: David Bush and Tim McVay.

B.U.S. Fares

$150: Double Decker B.U.S (all events Friday + Saturday)*

$75: Party B.U.S. (Saturday VIP reception + performance + post-show party)

$40: Mini B.U.S. (Saturday performance + post-show party)

*$25 of the Double Decker ticket is tax-deductible 

B.U.S. Schedule

Friday, April 5 @Bricolage

7-9 pm: VIP Reception + Actor Parade

Saturday, April 6 @The New Hazlett Theater

6:30-8 pm: VIP Pre-Show Reception

8-10 pm: Performance

10-midnight: Post-Show Party

 For up-to-the-minute news from Bricolage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Playwrights: Tameka Cage-Conley, Vanessa German, Chris Potocki, Peter Roth, Dennis Schebetta, Rosemarie Wilson

Directors: Linda Haston, Matt M. Morrow, Risher Reddick, Tammy Ryan, Mark Staley, Marci Woodruff

Actors: Elena Alexandratos, Bevin Baker, Cheryl Bates, Crystal Bates, Ben Blazer, Weston Blakesley, Sharon Brady, Cassie Brehmer, Kim Ellis, Jack Erdie, Paul Guggenheimer, Matt Henderson, Cindy Jackson, Wali Jamal, Cameron Knight, Jason McCune, Barney McKenna, Kristy Nolen, Sally Randa, Parag Shanti, Ezra Smith, Ricardo Villa-Roger, Cheryl El Walker, Adrienne Wehr