Website
Deadline: November 18, 2026 (11:59PM EST)
SUBMISSION FORM
The Emerging Playwrights Fund (the “Fund”) is calling theatrical visionaries who are ready to push boundaries and captivate audiences through the intimate, limitless world of audio drama.
This is storytelling without walls. Your words, world-class performers, and millions of listeners waiting to be transported.
Who Should Apply
We're seeking early-career theatrical writers who craft immersive fictional experiences that engage, entertain, and inspire. We value diverse perspectives, innovative approaches to form, and stories that harness the unique intimacy and immediacy of audio storytelling. Whether your work explores internal worlds through sound, creates vivid landscapes through language, or experiments with narrative structure—if it pushes boundaries and demands to be heard, we want it.
For this cycle, we're particularly interested in original audio dramas in the following genres:
Action & Adventure including Mystery, Thrillers, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Core Fiction including Contemporary Fiction, Romance, and Literary Companion Pieces
About the Fund
Audible is a leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling. Since 2017, our theater initiative, which includes the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City, has been built on one mission: to radically increase access to exceptional plays and performances.
The Emerging Playwrights Fund sits at the heart of that mission. We invest in and nurture self-identifying emerging playwrights—some of the most inventive, creative, and provocative storytellers working today. Through the Fund, we connect extraordinary performers with remarkable original work, amplifying new voices and bringing them to millions of listeners. To date, Audible Theater has commissioned 50 projects through the Fund. We support the creation of original dramatic work written with audio in mind, but theatrical in spirit—stories that live and breathe in the listener's imagination.
What the Fund Provides
Audible will select up to five applicants to receive a fee of $25,000 each to write and develop an original audio play. In addition to the fee, Audible may provide the selected applicants with creative and logistical resources to assist each artist and project, including but not limited to: development and production fees, casting expertise and talent budget, access to Audible’s state-of-the-art studio and production equipment.
Audible is dedicated to commissioning, developing, and producing work that reflects the diversity of our listeners and our world. We actively encourage submissions from emerging playwrights of all races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds.
Your voice, amplified.
Submission Guidelines
One full-length script for an original play (in English language only) that represents your voice ("Script”). Submitted as a pdf or word doc
A professional biography (up to 300 words)
A pitch or summary for an original audio play (Action & Adventure OR Core Fiction preferred)
Please note, by submitting an application you will be directed to a third-party website (hosted by Accubate) and you agree to the applicable Audible and Accubate privacy notice(s).
Eligibility criteria
Any applicant over the age of 18, resident in US or UK may submit an application. Employees or independent contractors, or immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and grandchildren) or those living in the same household of employees or independent contractors of Audible Inc., including any of its affiliates (collectively, “Audible”), or any entity involved in any aspect of the administration of the Fund may not submit a Script for consideration, unless it is determined by Audible in its sole discretion in accordance with Audible’s then current policies and procedures that no conflict of interest exists in connection with accepting the relevant submission for consideration.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Heartland Theatre Company 25th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival
Labels: 10-minute plays, festival
Website
Deadline: February 1, 2027
Deadline: February 1, 2027
Normal IL
HEARTLAND THEATRE 10-MINUTE PLAY ENTRY FORM.
Heartland Theatre Company is seeking eight 10-minute original plays to be considered for production inJune of 2026 as part of our 25th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival, with the theme BOOK CLUB.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS:All entrants must complete and submit the ENTRY FORM at the link below
All entrants must attach their play to the ENTRY FORM and submit.
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE RULES:
1. Your play must fit the theme – BOOK CLUB – or it will not be considered.
2. Your play must fit our theater and its performance space.
3. We require internet submissions in MS Word or PDF.
4. When formatting your play, we ask that you follow our style sheet.
5. We are looking for NEW plays. Please do not send us anything that has previously been produced.
6. Your play must contain at least two (2) characters, but no more than four (4).
7. Heartland Theatre Company has a pool of actors ranging in age from 18 to 80. Make sure that your characters can be played by actors within that range.
8. Your play should consist mainly of dialogue, not monologues.
9. No children’s plays, musicals, or plays which were previously chosen as winners in any Heartland Theatre playwriting competition will be considered.
10. Do not put your name on the play itself, as submissions are judged blind. Make sure your title and page numbers appear on every page of the play, however.
11. Please read and consider the Judging Criteria.
12. Those plays which win and are staged will be videotaped for archival purposes.
13. No contracts beyond the guidelines mentioned here will be offered.
14. Only one entry will be accepted from each playwright.
15. Your play must be written in English.
16. Keep your play under ten minutes in length.
17. Remember that something has to happen in those ten minutes.
18. MAKE IT GOOD!
All entrants must attach their play to the ENTRY FORM and submit.
HEARTLAND THEATRE 10-MINUTE PLAY ENTRY FORM.
Your play must be in the theme BOOK CLUB or it will not be considered. There are NO fees. You must attach your script in MS Word or PDF format when you send the entry form.
If you have any questions, please email playfest@heartlandtheatre.org
DEADLINE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS FEBRUARY 1, 2027. Finalists will be notified approximately mid-March, 2026. Winners will be announced approximately mid-April, 2027.
YOU will be notified if your script is a finalist or selected for performance. Winners will be posted on this web page, but the playwrights of those scripts not selected will not be notified. We appreciate the efforts of all playwrights who submit their scripts.
2027 10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES:
June 3,4,5,6 | 10,11,12,13 | 17,18,19* – 2027
*Two performances June 19
Heartland Theatre Company is seeking eight 10-minute original plays to be considered for production inJune of 2026 as part of our 25th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival, with the theme BOOK CLUB.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS:All entrants must complete and submit the ENTRY FORM at the link below
All entrants must attach their play to the ENTRY FORM and submit.
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE RULES:
1. Your play must fit the theme – BOOK CLUB – or it will not be considered.
2. Your play must fit our theater and its performance space.
3. We require internet submissions in MS Word or PDF.
4. When formatting your play, we ask that you follow our style sheet.
5. We are looking for NEW plays. Please do not send us anything that has previously been produced.
6. Your play must contain at least two (2) characters, but no more than four (4).
7. Heartland Theatre Company has a pool of actors ranging in age from 18 to 80. Make sure that your characters can be played by actors within that range.
8. Your play should consist mainly of dialogue, not monologues.
9. No children’s plays, musicals, or plays which were previously chosen as winners in any Heartland Theatre playwriting competition will be considered.
10. Do not put your name on the play itself, as submissions are judged blind. Make sure your title and page numbers appear on every page of the play, however.
11. Please read and consider the Judging Criteria.
12. Those plays which win and are staged will be videotaped for archival purposes.
13. No contracts beyond the guidelines mentioned here will be offered.
14. Only one entry will be accepted from each playwright.
15. Your play must be written in English.
16. Keep your play under ten minutes in length.
17. Remember that something has to happen in those ten minutes.
18. MAKE IT GOOD!
All entrants must attach their play to the ENTRY FORM and submit.
HEARTLAND THEATRE 10-MINUTE PLAY ENTRY FORM.
Your play must be in the theme BOOK CLUB or it will not be considered. There are NO fees. You must attach your script in MS Word or PDF format when you send the entry form.
If you have any questions, please email playfest@heartlandtheatre.org
DEADLINE FOR ALL ENTRIES IS FEBRUARY 1, 2027. Finalists will be notified approximately mid-March, 2026. Winners will be announced approximately mid-April, 2027.
YOU will be notified if your script is a finalist or selected for performance. Winners will be posted on this web page, but the playwrights of those scripts not selected will not be notified. We appreciate the efforts of all playwrights who submit their scripts.
2027 10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES:
June 3,4,5,6 | 10,11,12,13 | 17,18,19* – 2027
*Two performances June 19
Monday, October 5, 2026
The Foundry: One-Act Play Festival
Labels: festival, one-act plays
Website
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Deadline: November 1, 2026
The Foundry is a one-act play festival hosted by University Theatre at St. Lawrence University. The festival is designed to include plays by professional playwrights alongside plays by student playwrights.
University Theatre is currently soliciting plays for its inaugural one-act festival set to debut in March 2027.
THE FOUNDRY is a one-act festival that will feature plays by professional playwrights alongside plays by St. Lawrence students and possibly even high school students.
Playwrights with questions can reach out directly to Dr. Angie Sweigart-Gallagher at asweigart@stlawu.edu
Spartan Theatre One Page Play Festival – “Haunting Holidays”
Labels: festival, short plays
Website
Deadline: October 11, 2026 at 11PM PDT
Deadline: October 11, 2026 at 11PM PDT
Spokane WA
Submit your one-page play in MS Word or PDF format
Festival Date: Friday, December 4, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The Spartan Theatre at Spokane Falls Community College proudly announces our Third Annual Festival One Page Plays: Haunting Holidays!
We are seeking submissions from playwrights across the globe to be presented in a reader’s theatre format. Selected plays will be performed live at SFCC’s Spartan Theatre on Friday, December 4, 2026, at 7:30 PM.
Last year’s festival received over 100 submissions from playwrights all over the world, making it a truly global celebration of creativity. We are excited to build on that momentum and see how playwrights will haunt the holidays this year!
What We’re Looking For:
Festival Date: Friday, December 4, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The Spartan Theatre at Spokane Falls Community College proudly announces our Third Annual Festival One Page Plays: Haunting Holidays!
We are seeking submissions from playwrights across the globe to be presented in a reader’s theatre format. Selected plays will be performed live at SFCC’s Spartan Theatre on Friday, December 4, 2026, at 7:30 PM.
Last year’s festival received over 100 submissions from playwrights all over the world, making it a truly global celebration of creativity. We are excited to build on that momentum and see how playwrights will haunt the holidays this year!
What We’re Looking For:
We want one-page plays that creatively explore the theme Haunting Holidays. Whether it’s a ghostly gathering at a festive dinner, a spooky twist on a traditional celebration, or a chilling winter tale, we encourage all kinds of imaginative interpretations.
All holidays are welcome: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Arbor Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, April Fools, Cinco de Mayo, or any other day of cultural or personal significance you’d like to haunt with your imagination.
What to Expect:
What to Expect:
- Selected plays will receive a staged reading in a reader’s theatre format, focusing on the script and storytelling.
- Playwrights will be notified of their selection by November 25, 2026.
- There is no submission fee, and no participation fee if selected.
- Length of Plays:Plays should be one page only (roughly 1–2 minutes of performance time).
- Guidelines:Open to all playwrights worldwide. There are no restrictions on age, nationality, or gender. All are welcome!
- Only ONE submission allowed per playwright. Send us your best work!
- Previously produced or published works are welcome, however scripts submitted to last year’s festival is ineligible.
- Plays must be primarily in English.
- No Musicals.
- Strong language is acceptable.
- No Self-Production Required!
If your play is chosen, SFCC will handle all aspects of the production. You do not need to self-produce or cover any costs.
For questions, please contact our Festival Director, Rebecca Cook: racook321@gmail.com
For questions, please contact our Festival Director, Rebecca Cook: racook321@gmail.com
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Request for Proposals: *snap* Festival 2027
Labels: festival, honorarium, monologues
Website
Deadline: October 16, 2026 by 11:45pm
Deadline: October 16, 2026 by 11:45pm
Burlington VT
SUBMISSION FORM
The Flynn is committed to using the arts to build connections and strengthen communities. The *snap* Festival is a celebration of the power of first-person narratives. We believe everyone has stories to tell and that sharing these stories teaches empathy by allowing us to recognize commonalities and learn about each other’s unique experiences.
From January 22 - 24, 2027, the Flynn will celebrate the power of storytelling and solo performance with a weekend-long festival that will include workshops and solo performances by professional and emerging artists.
Through a series of performances and workshops, we will create a dialogue between performers and the audience and provide opportunities for the community to join and support the conversation. Performances will include meaningful time for questions and thoughts from the audience. Our expectation is that performers will listen to audience feedback and have it shape their work and that our audiences will develop a deeper understanding of this important art form.
All writers, poets, rappers, songwriters, storytellers, and other solo performers from New England and New York are invited to apply and submit a proposal for a performance to be showcased in the 2027 *snap* festival. Selected works will be performed by the artist and told from the first-person perspective. We are interested in stories about your experience told from your perspective.
Artists and Projects will be chosen based on the following criteria:
1. The work you submit illuminates your unique perspective.
2. Works must be new, original, and must not be previously produced. This festival offers the opportunity to showcase a piece that has not yet been performed in front of an audience. Scripts or the equivalent must be submitted as part of this application.
3. You will be performing your own work and will perform it with no other performers.
4. Your piece must be written and performed in the first person.
5. Performance length will be approximately 15 minutes. The performance may be a complete work, or a section of a longer work.
Resources
1. An honorarium of $500 will be provided.
2. Accommodations will be provided for the duration of the festival.
3. Up to $200 in travel costs will be reimbursed, upon submission of receipts.
4. The Flynn will cover the production costs of the festival including stage labor, sound equipment, security, ushers, and box office. All final production costs and expenses will be decided by the Flynn Center at its discretion. This festival is primarily about the development of a new work and requests involving other production elements (set, lights, costumes, etc.) may not always be accommodated.
5. The Flynn will actively market and publicize the festival and the public showing of your work on January 23, 2027 in FlynnSpace.
6. Your work may be selected for further development with an invitation to serve as an artist in residence.
Timeline
1. September 21 – October 16, 2026: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
2. Final date to submit an application is Friday, October 16, 2026. Submissions close at 11:45pm.
3. A brief in-person or zoom interview will be scheduled as part of the selection process with select applicants. Interviews will take November 4-6, 2026.
4. Proposals will be chosen by the Flynn and a panel of judges.
5. Artists will be informed of their acceptance no later than November 10, 2026.
6. The *snap* festival takes place January 22 – 24, 2027 with performance of new works on January 23, 2026. You will arrive in Burlington on or around January 21 for a group dinner!
Schedule
The festival will take place at The Flynn Center from January 22 – 24, 2027. The performance of your 15-minute piece will be on January 23, 2027 in FlynnSpace.
The Flynn is committed to using the arts to build connections and strengthen communities. The *snap* Festival is a celebration of the power of first-person narratives. We believe everyone has stories to tell and that sharing these stories teaches empathy by allowing us to recognize commonalities and learn about each other’s unique experiences.
From January 22 - 24, 2027, the Flynn will celebrate the power of storytelling and solo performance with a weekend-long festival that will include workshops and solo performances by professional and emerging artists.
Through a series of performances and workshops, we will create a dialogue between performers and the audience and provide opportunities for the community to join and support the conversation. Performances will include meaningful time for questions and thoughts from the audience. Our expectation is that performers will listen to audience feedback and have it shape their work and that our audiences will develop a deeper understanding of this important art form.
All writers, poets, rappers, songwriters, storytellers, and other solo performers from New England and New York are invited to apply and submit a proposal for a performance to be showcased in the 2027 *snap* festival. Selected works will be performed by the artist and told from the first-person perspective. We are interested in stories about your experience told from your perspective.
Artists and Projects will be chosen based on the following criteria:
1. The work you submit illuminates your unique perspective.
2. Works must be new, original, and must not be previously produced. This festival offers the opportunity to showcase a piece that has not yet been performed in front of an audience. Scripts or the equivalent must be submitted as part of this application.
3. You will be performing your own work and will perform it with no other performers.
4. Your piece must be written and performed in the first person.
5. Performance length will be approximately 15 minutes. The performance may be a complete work, or a section of a longer work.
Resources
1. An honorarium of $500 will be provided.
2. Accommodations will be provided for the duration of the festival.
3. Up to $200 in travel costs will be reimbursed, upon submission of receipts.
4. The Flynn will cover the production costs of the festival including stage labor, sound equipment, security, ushers, and box office. All final production costs and expenses will be decided by the Flynn Center at its discretion. This festival is primarily about the development of a new work and requests involving other production elements (set, lights, costumes, etc.) may not always be accommodated.
5. The Flynn will actively market and publicize the festival and the public showing of your work on January 23, 2027 in FlynnSpace.
6. Your work may be selected for further development with an invitation to serve as an artist in residence.
Timeline
1. September 21 – October 16, 2026: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
2. Final date to submit an application is Friday, October 16, 2026. Submissions close at 11:45pm.
3. A brief in-person or zoom interview will be scheduled as part of the selection process with select applicants. Interviews will take November 4-6, 2026.
4. Proposals will be chosen by the Flynn and a panel of judges.
5. Artists will be informed of their acceptance no later than November 10, 2026.
6. The *snap* festival takes place January 22 – 24, 2027 with performance of new works on January 23, 2026. You will arrive in Burlington on or around January 21 for a group dinner!
Schedule
The festival will take place at The Flynn Center from January 22 – 24, 2027. The performance of your 15-minute piece will be on January 23, 2027 in FlynnSpace.
THE DOOR OPENS AT MIDNIGHT : An International Anthology of Three-Page Plays
Labels: 10-minute plays, publication, short playsDeadline: October 30, 2026
Email all submission to: dramaanthologyfreshwords@gmail.com
Please send your play as a Word document or Pdf.Include:
Title
Author's name
Country
Short bio (50–100 words)
Email address
Email subject: SUBMISSION — THE DOOR OPENS AT MIDNIGHT
Fresh Words invites playwrights, dramatists and writers from around the world to submit original three-page plays for a special Halloween anthology.
We are looking for short dramatic works that can create a complete theatrical experience in just two pages.
- The play may be frightening.
- It may be funny.
- It may be absurd.
- It may be tragic.
- It may be mysterious.
- It may be something we cannot easily name.
- The only requirement is that something happens when the door opens.
THE PROMPT: THE DOOR OPENS AT MIDNIGHT
- Take the prompt literally—or don't.
- The door could be:
- The door of a house
- A hotel room
- A hospital
- A classroom
- A prison
- An apartment
- A theatre
- A train
- A dream
- Another world
- The past
- The future
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Big Idea Theatre 2027 One-Act Festival Submissions
Labels: festival, one-act plays
Website
Deadline: October 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT
Deadline: October 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT
SUBMISSION FORM
This is your chance to see your work come to life on stage and connect with new audiences. Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to submit.
This is your chance to see your work come to life on stage and connect with new audiences. Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to submit.
Some Guidelines:
Please only submit one script.
We receive HUNDREDS of scripts! Please be patient while we read them all and get back to you!
- Unit Sets work best in our space
- We aren't equipped to do musicals or children's theatre
- Plays that run somewhere around or between 20 to 60 minutes are ideal
- We will choose 6 plays via committee of theatre lovers to be presented as part of the festival from
- January 22rd - February 7th, 2026 in Sacramento, CA.
Please only submit one script.
We receive HUNDREDS of scripts! Please be patient while we read them all and get back to you!
Sesame Street Writers Room 2027
Labels: young audiences
Website
Deadline: October 5, 2026 12PM EDT
Deadline: October 5, 2026 12PM EDT
SUBMISSION FORM
Fresh new writing talent that reflects our vast audience. Emerging storytellers who are selected to join the Writers’ Room will receive hands-on writing experience guided by Sesame Street veterans and other children’s entertainment and media industry leaders. Each participant will develop and write a pilot script for their own original kids’ concept.
Fresh new writing talent that reflects our vast audience. Emerging storytellers who are selected to join the Writers’ Room will receive hands-on writing experience guided by Sesame Street veterans and other children’s entertainment and media industry leaders. Each participant will develop and write a pilot script for their own original kids’ concept.
- Up to 6 writers will be selected
- Sessions are expected to take place virtually from February 2027 to June 2027.
- Learn from industry writers, producers, agents and executives
- Learn and complete all steps of creating an original pilot episode script
- Learn and complete all steps of creating a 3-5 minute speculative script based on Sesame Street
- Includes 8 three-hour instructive sessions with an accomplished industry professional, 3 one-hour mentoring sessions with Sesame Street writer, and 15 one-hour office hours sessions on creating original children’s content.
- Up to two writers will have the exciting opportunity to see their script brought to life in a live table read featuring Sesame Street performers
Original script sample: 12-page maximum; should NOT contain Sesame Street elements, characters, or intellectual property; can be an excerpt from a larger piece wholly written by the applicant; must model a 3 act story structure; and be kid-friendly content for viewers up to age 12…we’re looking for great characters and stories that inspire kids to be smarter, stronger and kinder!
Please submit only one script with your initial application. If you advance to the second round, you may receive an email with instructions on submitting a second script sample at that time.
Resumes: 2-page maximum. Anything longer will be disqualified.
More info on your script: what’s the bigger picture/idea of your script sample? (up to 100 words)
Personal statement: tell us about yourself, for example, why you want to write for children’s educational media, and how your lived experiences influence the stories you want to tell in children’s media, etc. (up to 250 words)
Eligibility Check List
- Participants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent residen
- No extensive media writing experience, such as having written more than six episodes for a produced network or streaming scripted/narrative series
- Participants must be 21+ years old Participants must be able to attend and complete writing assignments for all 11 sessions, and attend the 15 office hours sessions, which will be held virtually from February 2027 to June 2027. The final session and showcase will be held in-person in New York City.
Smith & Kraus 2027 Annuals seeks 10-minute plays and monologues
Labels: 10-minute plays, monologues, publication
Website
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Submissions open October 1st-December 1st for the Smith & Kraus 2027 Annuals.
Monologues MUST BE FROM PLAYS. They cannot be stand-alone pieces.
They must be from plays produced between August 2025 through November 2026
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Will close submissions after 250 for 10-minute plays - no cap on monologues
Submissions open October 1st-December 1st for the Smith & Kraus 2027 Annuals.
MONOLOGUE GUIDELINES
For The Best Men & Women’s Stage Monologue 2027
Monologues MUST BE FROM PLAYS. They cannot be stand-alone pieces.
They must be from plays produced between August 2025 through November 2026
*Monologues from plays that only had Virtual Productions are NOT eligible.
Monologues should be 1-3 minutes long.
Monologues should be pieces that have onstage action and work well for auditions.
**You may submit to both the Women's and Men's Anthology, but only ONE submission per book.
Do not submit any monologue that has been submitted previously in the past year.
IF YOU SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE MONOLOGUE PER ANTHOLOGY, THEY WILL NOT BE READ!
To submit for Men's Monologues, CLICK HERE.
To submit for Women's Monologues, CLICK HERE.
10-MINUTE PLAY GUIDELINES
To submit for Men's Monologues, CLICK HERE.
To submit for Women's Monologues, CLICK HERE.
10-MINUTE PLAY GUIDELINES
- Submissions will close when we reach 250 scripts or end of day on December 1st, whichever comes first.
- Plays must be produced between August 2025 through November 2026.
- Plays with only virtual productions are not eligible.
- Plays produced as staged readings are eligible ONLY if the reading was performed LIVE in front of an audience, not virtually.
- No Radio Plays. No Musicals. No Children's Plays. No solo shows. No Zoom plays.
- Plays should run approximately 10 minutes.
- Please include a cover page with a brief synopsis.
- Please include a page with Character Breakdown, Setting/Place, and Time.
- Only ONE submission is permitted per playwright. If you submit more than one play, they will not be read.
Ninth Annual Eric H. Weinberger Award for Emerging Librettists
Labels: award, libretto, musicals
Website
Deadline: November 30, 2026
APPLICATION FORM
Our process is based on the quality of the work submitted.
Round 1 (September-December)
1. Our literary team reads the first 25 pages of the book and listens to the demo for any track related to these pages.
2. The team fills out evaluations for each show, which determine the submissions that continue to Round 2.
Round 2 (January-April)
1. The selection committee reads the scripts in full and listens to all demo tracks submitted.
2. Committee members write their evaluations to determine which one is best suited for the Award.
3. The winner is announced in the Spring of 2027.
4. The application’s primary contact is notified and a development schedule is created with the winner.
We will not be able to provide feedback regarding why a particular piece was or was not selected.
The Winner will:
• Receive $2,000 to help pay for cost-of-living expenses.
• Receive development assistance in the 2027 New Works Development Program of Amas Musical Theatre.
• Have the selected show rehearsed and performed by New York theatre professionals in an Amas Lab production.
• Be present in New York City for the development process.
Deadline: November 30, 2026
APPLICATION FORM
All submissions must be sent through the online application form. Only one submission per playwright/librettists will be accepted.
The Eric H. Weinberger Award for Emerging Librettists is a juried cash and production grant given annually to support the early work and career of a deserving musical theatre librettist. It commemorates the life and work of playwright/librettist Eric H. Weinberger (1950-2017), who was a Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Book of a Musical (Wanda’s World), and the playwright/librettist of Class Mothers ’68, which earned Priscilla a Drama Desk Award.
The winner will receive $2,000 to help with cost-of-living expenses. The winning musical will receive development assistance in the 2027 New Works Development Program of Amas Musical Theatre, culminating in an Amas Lab production with New York theatre professionals. Amas was the development home for several of Mr. Weinberger’s musicals, including the World Premiere of Wanda’s World and the New York Premiere of Tea for Three.
The winner of the Award is announced in Spring 2027.
Amas Musical Theatre will not ask for any fees for entry or for any fiduciary involvement
from the playwright/librettists at any point of the process.
Submission Requirements
The Musical must:
• Be a full-length show (at least 80 minutes)
• Have no more than eight actors (actors may play multiple roles; if so, please include a suggested breakdown of role distribution)
• Be complete and ready for readings, workshops and/or productions
• Have a demo that is an accurate representation of the music and style of the show (at least five songs)
• Have full underlying rights clearance of any pre-existing material used in the script (music, source material, etc.)
• Not have had a full production or be published in any way, even if with a different name.
What to Submit
All documents must be submitted as PDF files and they should be named with the part of the submission it refers to and the title of the show in the format of
1. Biography and resumes of the creative team, including writer, composer, lyricist (if applicable)
2. History of the musical'ss development, and any previous titles it has gone through (if applicable, maximum one page)
3. Brief synopsis (maximum 150 words)
4. Brief artistic statement on the piece itself, including all source material, inspiration, goal, message, etc. (maximum one page)
5. Proof of rights (if applicable)
6. Demo and track listings (Demo selections to be posted as a Dropbox or Google Drive link)
7. PDF document of the full-script and sheet music, if available (no writers named)
Guidelines for Materials
All submissions must adhere to the following or your application will be disqualified before reaching our selection committee.
Proof of Rights
If the musical contains any copyrighted material, please submit a signed letter from the authors and/or underlying rights representative stating that underlying rights have been secured.
Full Script
The full script must include:
1. Title page (which should only have the title on it and absolutely no other information)
2. Character breakdown (maximum one page)
3. The complete script with page numbers
For the anonymity of your submission, the full script and sheet music cannot include any information on playwright/ librettist or contractually attached people, previous casts, or any agents. All submissions will go through a blind evaluation process, any personal information you provide will only be available to Amas Musical Theatre staff.
Demo Tracks
The recording should be a significant representation of the songs in the show that accurately highlights the style and character of the score and lyrics.
• Demo tracks should:
1. Include at least one song from the first 25 pages
2. Have at least five recordings available – they do not need to be professional or studio quality, but they must be clear enough to hear lyrics, melody, and accompaniment
3. Have singers of appropriate vocal types for their respective roles
4. Be full songs only, no medleys of spliced songs
For the anonymity of your submission, tracks cannot include any personal identifiers for playwright/librettist(s), the performers recorded, or contractually attached people.
The Selection Process
Scripts will be read and evaluated through a blind submission process by Amas Musical Theatre’s literary team. A group of finalist plays will be read and evaluated by a selection committee, comprised of distinguished artists and playwrights, using a blind evaluation process. Committee members will not be given any additional information beyond the title of the show, the script, and the demo tracks.
Any personal information you provide in the application is seen by the Amas Musical Theatre staff only, not the selection committee.
The Eric H. Weinberger Award for Emerging Librettists is a juried cash and production grant given annually to support the early work and career of a deserving musical theatre librettist. It commemorates the life and work of playwright/librettist Eric H. Weinberger (1950-2017), who was a Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Book of a Musical (Wanda’s World), and the playwright/librettist of Class Mothers ’68, which earned Priscilla a Drama Desk Award.
The winner will receive $2,000 to help with cost-of-living expenses. The winning musical will receive development assistance in the 2027 New Works Development Program of Amas Musical Theatre, culminating in an Amas Lab production with New York theatre professionals. Amas was the development home for several of Mr. Weinberger’s musicals, including the World Premiere of Wanda’s World and the New York Premiere of Tea for Three.
The winner of the Award is announced in Spring 2027.
Amas Musical Theatre will not ask for any fees for entry or for any fiduciary involvement
from the playwright/librettists at any point of the process.
Submission Requirements
The Musical must:
• Be a full-length show (at least 80 minutes)
• Have no more than eight actors (actors may play multiple roles; if so, please include a suggested breakdown of role distribution)
• Be complete and ready for readings, workshops and/or productions
• Have a demo that is an accurate representation of the music and style of the show (at least five songs)
• Have full underlying rights clearance of any pre-existing material used in the script (music, source material, etc.)
• Not have had a full production or be published in any way, even if with a different name.
What to Submit
All documents must be submitted as PDF files and they should be named with the part of the submission it refers to and the title of the show in the format of
1. Biography and resumes of the creative team, including writer, composer, lyricist (if applicable)
2. History of the musical'ss development, and any previous titles it has gone through (if applicable, maximum one page)
3. Brief synopsis (maximum 150 words)
4. Brief artistic statement on the piece itself, including all source material, inspiration, goal, message, etc. (maximum one page)
5. Proof of rights (if applicable)
6. Demo and track listings (Demo selections to be posted as a Dropbox or Google Drive link)
7. PDF document of the full-script and sheet music, if available (no writers named)
Guidelines for Materials
All submissions must adhere to the following or your application will be disqualified before reaching our selection committee.
Proof of Rights
If the musical contains any copyrighted material, please submit a signed letter from the authors and/or underlying rights representative stating that underlying rights have been secured.
Full Script
The full script must include:
1. Title page (which should only have the title on it and absolutely no other information)
2. Character breakdown (maximum one page)
3. The complete script with page numbers
For the anonymity of your submission, the full script and sheet music cannot include any information on playwright/ librettist or contractually attached people, previous casts, or any agents. All submissions will go through a blind evaluation process, any personal information you provide will only be available to Amas Musical Theatre staff.
Demo Tracks
The recording should be a significant representation of the songs in the show that accurately highlights the style and character of the score and lyrics.
• Demo tracks should:
1. Include at least one song from the first 25 pages
2. Have at least five recordings available – they do not need to be professional or studio quality, but they must be clear enough to hear lyrics, melody, and accompaniment
3. Have singers of appropriate vocal types for their respective roles
4. Be full songs only, no medleys of spliced songs
For the anonymity of your submission, tracks cannot include any personal identifiers for playwright/librettist(s), the performers recorded, or contractually attached people.
The Selection Process
Scripts will be read and evaluated through a blind submission process by Amas Musical Theatre’s literary team. A group of finalist plays will be read and evaluated by a selection committee, comprised of distinguished artists and playwrights, using a blind evaluation process. Committee members will not be given any additional information beyond the title of the show, the script, and the demo tracks.
Any personal information you provide in the application is seen by the Amas Musical Theatre staff only, not the selection committee.
Our process is based on the quality of the work submitted.
Round 1 (September-December)
1. Our literary team reads the first 25 pages of the book and listens to the demo for any track related to these pages.
2. The team fills out evaluations for each show, which determine the submissions that continue to Round 2.
Round 2 (January-April)
1. The selection committee reads the scripts in full and listens to all demo tracks submitted.
2. Committee members write their evaluations to determine which one is best suited for the Award.
3. The winner is announced in the Spring of 2027.
4. The application’s primary contact is notified and a development schedule is created with the winner.
We will not be able to provide feedback regarding why a particular piece was or was not selected.
The Winner will:
• Receive $2,000 to help pay for cost-of-living expenses.
• Receive development assistance in the 2027 New Works Development Program of Amas Musical Theatre.
• Have the selected show rehearsed and performed by New York theatre professionals in an Amas Lab production.
• Be present in New York City for the development process.
Friday, October 2, 2026
The Gallery Players 30th Annual Black Box New Play Festival
Labels: festival, one-act plays
Website
Deadline: November 1, 2026
The Gallery Players in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York, is seeking plays for its 30th Annual Black Box New Play Festival to be presented from June 10th through June 20th, 2027. Each play selected will be paired with a director and given a black minimally designed box production (lighting designer working in rep plot, sound designer, and sets created by directors from available theatre stock), with non-equity actors.
Playwrights must be available, if not in person, via Zoom or other virtual venue to work with directors to create another draft of their play. This process will take place from January 2027 through May 2027. The degree of revision will be dependent on the needs of each play and the collaboration between yourself and the director.
Submission guidelines:
Deadline: November 1, 2026
The Gallery Players in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York, is seeking plays for its 30th Annual Black Box New Play Festival to be presented from June 10th through June 20th, 2027. Each play selected will be paired with a director and given a black minimally designed box production (lighting designer working in rep plot, sound designer, and sets created by directors from available theatre stock), with non-equity actors.
Playwrights must be available, if not in person, via Zoom or other virtual venue to work with directors to create another draft of their play. This process will take place from January 2027 through May 2027. The degree of revision will be dependent on the needs of each play and the collaboration between yourself and the director.
Submission guidelines:
1). Plays must be un-produced (readings are ok); must be the play’s world premiere
2) Length of Plays: Plays should be 10 - 50 minutes. Plays must have at least 4 characters, more is even better. No one-character plays. No period costume pieces (period plays that use modern dress are OK). You may submit up to two (2) plays for consideration.
3). Format: Pages must be numbered; A cover page with Title of the play and playwrights contact information is required, along with a page that gives plot synopsis of the play and a character breakdown. DO NOT write your name anywhere else on the script.
4) Submit a copy of your playwriting resume
5) Provide a brief written statement that addresses what you are hoping to get out of the experience and revision process (aside from having your play produced)
6) Send a digital copy of your play(s) along with your resume and statement letter to: info@galleryplayers.com
We will only contact you if your play has been accepted into the Festival. We will confirm that we received your digital copy via email. All playwrights chosen will be notified by DECEMBER 2026.
Please note that playwrights CANNOT direct their own work for this festival and will be paired with one of the 2027 Black Box cohort directors.
Any scripts not chosen for the Festival will be deleted to protect your copyright.
2) Length of Plays: Plays should be 10 - 50 minutes. Plays must have at least 4 characters, more is even better. No one-character plays. No period costume pieces (period plays that use modern dress are OK). You may submit up to two (2) plays for consideration.
3). Format: Pages must be numbered; A cover page with Title of the play and playwrights contact information is required, along with a page that gives plot synopsis of the play and a character breakdown. DO NOT write your name anywhere else on the script.
4) Submit a copy of your playwriting resume
5) Provide a brief written statement that addresses what you are hoping to get out of the experience and revision process (aside from having your play produced)
6) Send a digital copy of your play(s) along with your resume and statement letter to: info@galleryplayers.com
We will only contact you if your play has been accepted into the Festival. We will confirm that we received your digital copy via email. All playwrights chosen will be notified by DECEMBER 2026.
Please note that playwrights CANNOT direct their own work for this festival and will be paired with one of the 2027 Black Box cohort directors.
Any scripts not chosen for the Festival will be deleted to protect your copyright.
Playing Ace: A New Asexualities Play Festival seeks short and full-length plays
Labels: 10-minute plays, full-length plays, one-act plays, publication, readings, short plays
Website
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Deadline: November 1, 2026
Madison, Wisconsin
Overall, we recognize that there is a growing need to share stories about asexual lives, experiences, and perspectives. As asexuality becomes more of a topic for discussion in the world, it is important that we create spaces where stories and perspectives can be shared. We believe that theatre is a fantastic place to come together and create new communities, and with the proposal for an anthology, we want to ensure that these stories are shared with as many people as possible.
SUBMISSION FORM - PDF files preferred
- Staged reading and inclusion in an anthology proposal
- Plays must be connected to concepts of asexuality or aromance. Further descriptions of how that is defined can be found on our website.
- Playwrights may submit only one play
- Plays must not be previously published.
Overall, we recognize that there is a growing need to share stories about asexual lives, experiences, and perspectives. As asexuality becomes more of a topic for discussion in the world, it is important that we create spaces where stories and perspectives can be shared. We believe that theatre is a fantastic place to come together and create new communities, and with the proposal for an anthology, we want to ensure that these stories are shared with as many people as possible.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Call for Submissions for the Making It Happen Festival of 10 Minute Plays
Labels: 10-minute plays, festival, self-production
Website
Deadline: October 12, 2026
Deadline: October 12, 2026
SUBMISSION FORM
Making It Happen: 10 Minute Plays is a new play festival presented by The Theater Center, created to give writers, and creative teams the opportunity to present original theatre work on an Off-Broadway stage in the heart of Times Square.
We are now accepting submissions for fully original 10-minute plays. Selected plays will perform at The Theater Center on one of three preliminary performance nights: Wednesday, November 4, Wednesday, November 11, or Wednesday, November 18. Each evening will feature 4 plays, with audiences and judges voting to determine one winner from each night. The three nightly winners will advance to the Finals on Wednesday, December 2.
All submitted material must be fully original. Teams must have the rights to perform all submitted material.
This is a non-union festival. All casts, creative teams,, and production personnel must be non-union.
We strongly urge that your cast size is 6 or less.
Play must be 10 minutes or less.
Selected teams will be responsible for providing their own cast, director, and stage manager. If you don't have a director, one can be provided. No microphones will be used or provided, so plays must be able to be performed acoustically in the space.
Productions should be simple, flexible, and festival-ready. Selected teams will receive performance space, basic technical support, box office services, festival-wide marketing, and a technical rehearsal slot on the day of their performance.
Please only submit if you and your team are available for the preliminary performance dates and, if selected as a finalist, the final performance on December 2.
Making It Happen: 10 Minute Plays is a new play festival presented by The Theater Center, created to give writers, and creative teams the opportunity to present original theatre work on an Off-Broadway stage in the heart of Times Square.
We are now accepting submissions for fully original 10-minute plays. Selected plays will perform at The Theater Center on one of three preliminary performance nights: Wednesday, November 4, Wednesday, November 11, or Wednesday, November 18. Each evening will feature 4 plays, with audiences and judges voting to determine one winner from each night. The three nightly winners will advance to the Finals on Wednesday, December 2.
All submitted material must be fully original. Teams must have the rights to perform all submitted material.
This is a non-union festival. All casts, creative teams,, and production personnel must be non-union.
We strongly urge that your cast size is 6 or less.
Play must be 10 minutes or less.
Selected teams will be responsible for providing their own cast, director, and stage manager. If you don't have a director, one can be provided. No microphones will be used or provided, so plays must be able to be performed acoustically in the space.
Productions should be simple, flexible, and festival-ready. Selected teams will receive performance space, basic technical support, box office services, festival-wide marketing, and a technical rehearsal slot on the day of their performance.
Please only submit if you and your team are available for the preliminary performance dates and, if selected as a finalist, the final performance on December 2.
Savage Wonder seeks 10-minute plays or musicals
Labels: 10-minute plays, musicals, prize
Website
Deadline: July 3, 2027
SUBMISSION FORM
Savage Wonder (Beacon, NY) prides itself on opportunities for veteran writers. Savage Wonder offers on-going playwriting competitions as well as the Savage Wonder literary blog. You may select which opportunity interests you below.
Savage Wonder is accepting submissions for our 10-minute playwriting competition.
Deadline: July 3, 2027
SUBMISSION FORM
Savage Wonder (Beacon, NY) prides itself on opportunities for veteran writers. Savage Wonder offers on-going playwriting competitions as well as the Savage Wonder literary blog. You may select which opportunity interests you below.
Savage Wonder is accepting submissions for our 10-minute playwriting competition.
Submissions may include plays or musicals.
Playwrights must meet one of the following criteria:
Current or former: US military, law enforcement, fire service, EMS, foreign service, intelligence service, DoD employee, DoD Contractor; or Immediate family of the service member.
We are looking for work that is whimsical, intimate, absurd, and surprising. Unlike some past competitions, we are not looking for straightforward dramatic realism or non-fiction storytelling. Bring us something that takes a risk — something that could only have come from you.
We are looking for work that is whimsical, intimate, absurd, and surprising. Unlike some past competitions, we are not looking for straightforward dramatic realism or non-fiction storytelling. Bring us something that takes a risk — something that could only have come from you.
The competition winner will receive a $1,000 grant.
The second-place finalist will receive a $750 grant.
The third-place finalist will receive a $500 grant.
All winners and finalists also receive feedback from the panel of judges. In addition, winners and finalists may be invited to become Savage Wonder Resident Artists where they will have the opportunity to develop and submit plays and musicals for commissioning and production at Savage Wonder.
Plays and musicals can be any genre and any subject matter.
The third-place finalist will receive a $500 grant.
All winners and finalists also receive feedback from the panel of judges. In addition, winners and finalists may be invited to become Savage Wonder Resident Artists where they will have the opportunity to develop and submit plays and musicals for commissioning and production at Savage Wonder.
Plays and musicals can be any genre and any subject matter.
Playwrights may submit more than one work.
Submissions should not have been previously produced and/or published.
Winners and finalists will be notified via email no later than Sunday, July 4, 2027 (note: we will make every effort to have results back to submitters ASAP; however, in order to ensure fair treatment of each submission and to plan for any contingencies which may arise, we are providing a worst-case scenario for our timeline).
There is no participation or submission fee.
There is no guarantee that winners' or finalists' work will be produced by Savage Wonder.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
HerStories Monologue open for submissions
Labels: female-identifying, honorarium, monologues, non-binary
Website
Deadline: November 15, 2026
We encourage you to use the space creatively. The monologue or scene must be unpublished at the time of submission. Please review the list titled "HERstory 2027 Ideas" for suggested historical figures. While you are not limited to these suggestions, Nomad Theatre has a particular interest in featuring these women in upcoming years. Please avoid someone who has already been performed. You will find them in the linked document titled: Previously featured women.
Please confirm the originality of your script, and your ability and willingness to give permission to use it for auditions, promotions, and live and privately-recorded performances by Nomad Theatre.
Preferences:
--direct address of audience, with good audience engagement
- rooted in historical accuracy. Please include sources in your submission
--a reason for speaking or dramatic moment for character/s to engage with each other or audience
--as much humor and audience engagement as possible, or such drama, poignancy, etc as befits chosen character/s
--minimum use of props or furniture, or none at all!
--ability to set in library and use library furnishings for any set or prop needs
Final script selection depends on who comes to auditions! (12-15 semi-finalists may be chosen for auditions.)
This call is open to all female and nonbinary identifying playwrights worldwide. Selected playwrights receive full production of their scene and an invitation to attend. We encourage anyone to submit, even if you’ve never written a monologue. We want to support underrepresented playwrights, including women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disabled, neurodiverse, etc, and encourage you to submit.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Deadline: November 15, 2026
Or until they reach 250 submissions
SUBMISSION FORM
Nomad Theatre, located in Normal, Illinois, seeks 8 monologues to be a part of our upcoming HerStories Detour in March 2027. This series of monologues is performed in a real library, within the book stacks. Submissions will close on November 15th, 2026, at midnight or until we reach 250 submissions. Semi-finalists will be announced in January 2027. Auditions will be held in mid February 2027, and based on auditions, eight finalists will be chosen for production. If your play is selected for production, writers will receive a $25 honorarium for their work.
Nomad Theatre Company proudly presents their fourth installment of Pop-Up HerStory, an immersive theatrical experience that brings the stories of remarkable women and nonbinary people from history to life. As part of Nomad Theatre’s Detour projects, this unique production spotlights real women who have left an indelible mark on history, sharing their stories through original monologues and scenes.
SUBMISSION FORM
Nomad Theatre, located in Normal, Illinois, seeks 8 monologues to be a part of our upcoming HerStories Detour in March 2027. This series of monologues is performed in a real library, within the book stacks. Submissions will close on November 15th, 2026, at midnight or until we reach 250 submissions. Semi-finalists will be announced in January 2027. Auditions will be held in mid February 2027, and based on auditions, eight finalists will be chosen for production. If your play is selected for production, writers will receive a $25 honorarium for their work.
Nomad Theatre Company proudly presents their fourth installment of Pop-Up HerStory, an immersive theatrical experience that brings the stories of remarkable women and nonbinary people from history to life. As part of Nomad Theatre’s Detour projects, this unique production spotlights real women who have left an indelible mark on history, sharing their stories through original monologues and scenes.
Call for female-identifying or nonbinary writers, including actors who can write:
Selected monologues or scenes must feature one or two historical woman or non-binary person, living or not, with a runtime of five to six minutes. Monologues and scenes must be rooted in historical accuracy.
Selected monologues or scenes must feature one or two historical woman or non-binary person, living or not, with a runtime of five to six minutes. Monologues and scenes must be rooted in historical accuracy.
We encourage you to use the space creatively. The monologue or scene must be unpublished at the time of submission. Please review the list titled "HERstory 2027 Ideas" for suggested historical figures. While you are not limited to these suggestions, Nomad Theatre has a particular interest in featuring these women in upcoming years. Please avoid someone who has already been performed. You will find them in the linked document titled: Previously featured women.
Please confirm the originality of your script, and your ability and willingness to give permission to use it for auditions, promotions, and live and privately-recorded performances by Nomad Theatre.
Preferences:
--direct address of audience, with good audience engagement
- rooted in historical accuracy. Please include sources in your submission
--a reason for speaking or dramatic moment for character/s to engage with each other or audience
--as much humor and audience engagement as possible, or such drama, poignancy, etc as befits chosen character/s
--minimum use of props or furniture, or none at all!
--ability to set in library and use library furnishings for any set or prop needs
Final script selection depends on who comes to auditions! (12-15 semi-finalists may be chosen for auditions.)
This call is open to all female and nonbinary identifying playwrights worldwide. Selected playwrights receive full production of their scene and an invitation to attend. We encourage anyone to submit, even if you’ve never written a monologue. We want to support underrepresented playwrights, including women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disabled, neurodiverse, etc, and encourage you to submit.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Overall writing quality (informative, interesting, compelling)
- Historical accuracy (please include at least one credible source)
- Suitability for our actors and spaceSubmission Guidelines:
- One submission per playwright
- A running time of 4-7 minutes long
- A cover page should include the title, the playwright’s name, contact information, a brief synopsis, at least one credible source, and character description.
- Pages should be numbered.
- A monologue or two person scenes only.
- Label your document as TITLE OF PLAY_LastName
- No musicals.
We suggest formatting similar to the Dramatist Guild Guidelines: https://www.dramatistsguild.com/sites/default/files/2020-01/General-SFI-Formatting-Guidelines-Complete.pdf
If you have questions or need any accommodations for submission, please email nomadtheatresubmissions@gmail.com or visit us https://nomadtheatre.org/
Nomad's mission is to provide an immersive theatre experience by exposing audience members to eclectic and moving stories, taking theatre outside of a traditional theatre space and into site-specific locations.
If you have questions or need any accommodations for submission, please email nomadtheatresubmissions@gmail.com or visit us https://nomadtheatre.org/
Nomad's mission is to provide an immersive theatre experience by exposing audience members to eclectic and moving stories, taking theatre outside of a traditional theatre space and into site-specific locations.
DRURY UNIVERSITY ONE-ACT PLAY COMPETITION
Labels: one-act plays, prize
Website
Deadline: December 1, 2026
Deadline: December 1, 2026
Send scripts to:
Drury University One-Act Play Competition
c/o Dr. Mick Sokol, Professor of Theatre
900 North Benton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
FIRST PRIZE: $300 TWO HONORABLE MENTIONS: $150 each
1. Competition is open to all playwrights. Scripts are to be original, unpublished, and unproduced. Staged readings or workshop productions will not disqualify a script. Musicals, monologues, adaptations, film and TV scripts are ineligible.
2. Preference will be given to small cast, one-set shows with running times of no less than twenty and no more than forty-five minutes.
3. No more than one script from any playwright. Scripts entered in this contest in previous years are ineligible for re-submission.
4. All scripts are to be typewritten and firmly bound (staple, clips, etc). Because of the nature of distributing scripts to readers, we do NOT accept electronic submissions.
5. Scripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage. For confirmation of receipt, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. For results of your script, please include self-addressed stamped envelope. If possible, please include an e-mail address; we can send you contest results via email.
6. No written or verbal critiques will be tendered.
7. The decisions of the judges are final. Drury University reserves the right to produce any of the three winning plays royalty-free during our 2027-2028, 2028-2029 or 2029-2030 seasons, to withhold production, and to modify cashawards as deemed necessary by the judges.
8. Drury University does not assume any responsibility for the loss, damage, or return of scripts. All reasonable care will be taken.
9. Deadline for entries is a postmark of December 1, 2026.
10. Address scripts to Drury University One-Act Play Competition
c/o Dr. Mick Sokol, Professor of Theatre
900 North Benton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
11. Winners will be notified by mail (or e-mail) no later than April 1, 2027.
c/o Dr. Mick Sokol, Professor of Theatre
900 North Benton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
FIRST PRIZE: $300 TWO HONORABLE MENTIONS: $150 each
Winning plays will be considered for production by Drury University.
COMPETITION RULES:
COMPETITION RULES:
1. Competition is open to all playwrights. Scripts are to be original, unpublished, and unproduced. Staged readings or workshop productions will not disqualify a script. Musicals, monologues, adaptations, film and TV scripts are ineligible.
2. Preference will be given to small cast, one-set shows with running times of no less than twenty and no more than forty-five minutes.
3. No more than one script from any playwright. Scripts entered in this contest in previous years are ineligible for re-submission.
4. All scripts are to be typewritten and firmly bound (staple, clips, etc). Because of the nature of distributing scripts to readers, we do NOT accept electronic submissions.
5. Scripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage. For confirmation of receipt, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. For results of your script, please include self-addressed stamped envelope. If possible, please include an e-mail address; we can send you contest results via email.
6. No written or verbal critiques will be tendered.
7. The decisions of the judges are final. Drury University reserves the right to produce any of the three winning plays royalty-free during our 2027-2028, 2028-2029 or 2029-2030 seasons, to withhold production, and to modify cashawards as deemed necessary by the judges.
8. Drury University does not assume any responsibility for the loss, damage, or return of scripts. All reasonable care will be taken.
9. Deadline for entries is a postmark of December 1, 2026.
10. Address scripts to Drury University One-Act Play Competition
c/o Dr. Mick Sokol, Professor of Theatre
900 North Benton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
11. Winners will be notified by mail (or e-mail) no later than April 1, 2027.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
NYPSI's Horowitz-Sondheim Clinic ~Affordable Treatment For Theater Artists
Labels: playwright services
THE HOROWITZ-SONDHEIM CLINIC FOR THEATER ARTISTS at New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute offers affordable treatment to playwrights, composers, and lyricists of the theater. *
The Horowitz-Sondheim Clinic was launched in September 2025, and offers affordable treatment to playwrights, composers, and lyricists of the theater. *
This clinic owes its creation to a generous grant from the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, reflecting the profound gratitude Sondheim held for his psychoanalyst, Milton Horowitz, an esteemed NYPSI member. As Sondheim himself expressed: "to find you're not the only one in the world, which is of course what everybody goes through... Every time I would tell Milton something I'd expect him to be shocked and he'd say, Yes...' And after about five sessions I realized, He's heard everything!
And I'm just another ordinary neurotic fellow." (Secrest,1998, p. 229)
The Horowitz-Sondheim Clinic offers psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and psychological testing.
The Clinic does not provide psychotropic medication. Psychotherapy and psychological testing are provided by a variety of licensed mental health practitioners, Clinical Psychology Doctoral students, and Licensure-Qualifying trainees in Psychoanalysis, all under the supervision of highly trained psychoanalysts. Psychoanalysis is conducted by psychoanalytic candidates, all of whom are supervised by psychoanalysts especially qualified for the training of psychoanalysts. On occasion, psychoanalysis is offered by a graduate psychoanalyst.
Theater playwrights, composers, and lyricists interested in sliding-scale treatment at the Horowitz-Sondheim Clinic are encouraged to apply (link below). While treatment is not free, no one will be turned away as a result of financial limitations. The fee will be mutually agreed upon after a review of the individual's financial situation. Please indicate whether you are interested in obtaining psychotherapy (once or twice a week, typically), psychoanalysis (four or five times a week), oi psychological testing. Note that for psychoanalysis, at least two of the sessions must be conducted in person.
You may download a printable application for Adult Psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis, and/or Psychological Testing.
DOWNLOAD THE PDF
The Horowitz-Sondheim Clinic was launched in September 2025, and offers affordable treatment to playwrights, composers, and lyricists of the theater. *
This clinic owes its creation to a generous grant from the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, reflecting the profound gratitude Sondheim held for his psychoanalyst, Milton Horowitz, an esteemed NYPSI member. As Sondheim himself expressed: "to find you're not the only one in the world, which is of course what everybody goes through... Every time I would tell Milton something I'd expect him to be shocked and he'd say, Yes...' And after about five sessions I realized, He's heard everything!
And I'm just another ordinary neurotic fellow." (Secrest,1998, p. 229)
The Horowitz-Sondheim Clinic offers psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, and psychological testing.
The Clinic does not provide psychotropic medication. Psychotherapy and psychological testing are provided by a variety of licensed mental health practitioners, Clinical Psychology Doctoral students, and Licensure-Qualifying trainees in Psychoanalysis, all under the supervision of highly trained psychoanalysts. Psychoanalysis is conducted by psychoanalytic candidates, all of whom are supervised by psychoanalysts especially qualified for the training of psychoanalysts. On occasion, psychoanalysis is offered by a graduate psychoanalyst.
Theater playwrights, composers, and lyricists interested in sliding-scale treatment at the Horowitz-Sondheim Clinic are encouraged to apply (link below). While treatment is not free, no one will be turned away as a result of financial limitations. The fee will be mutually agreed upon after a review of the individual's financial situation. Please indicate whether you are interested in obtaining psychotherapy (once or twice a week, typically), psychoanalysis (four or five times a week), oi psychological testing. Note that for psychoanalysis, at least two of the sessions must be conducted in person.
You may download a printable application for Adult Psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis, and/or Psychological Testing.
DOWNLOAD THE PDF
[1] Secrest, Meryle. (2011). Stephen Sondheim: A Life. Penguin Random House.
Snowdance 2027 seeks 10-minute plays
Labels: 10-minute plays, festival, prize
Website
Deadline: October 9, 2026
Email scripts (pdf format) to: snowdance@overourheadplayers.org
Deadline: October 9, 2026
Entries may be emailed to snowdance@overourheadplayers.org.
*Alternately* Mail Submissions to:
SNOWDANCE
c/o Sixth Street Theatre
318 Sixth Street
Racine, Wisconsin 53403
Any questions can be directed to us by e-mail at: snowdance@overourheadplayers.org. Or call the Box Office at (262) 632-6802.
SNOWDANCE
c/o Sixth Street Theatre
318 Sixth Street
Racine, Wisconsin 53403
Any questions can be directed to us by e-mail at: snowdance@overourheadplayers.org. Or call the Box Office at (262) 632-6802.
1) Competition is open to original 10-minute or shorter plays free of royalty and copyright restrictions. Submission is considered to be approval to produce the piece with stated royalty if selected for production in the Snowdance® Festival. Musicals, adaptations, and translations will not be considered.
2) Plays must run 10 minutes or less. A rule of thumb: 1 page (8 1/2 x 11) of single-spaced, average dialogue will total about 90 seconds. Read it out loud - time it - test it - and re-write if need be.
3) Submissions must be emailed or postmarked on or before October 9, 2026.
4) Scripts should follow the standard format (Check any script writing book in your library). If mailing a physical copy, manuscripts must be on standard 8-1/2” x 11” paper, cleanly typed and securely bound.
5) Plays can have a cast of 1 to 4 characters and should be easily staged. Avoid any elaborate set requirements. And remember it is a 'COMEDY FESTIVAL'.
6) The writer's name, address, phone number, and e-mail address should be included on the title page only. The title page should also include a cast list, set requirements, and a 1-3 sentence synopsis of the play.
7) Submit one (1) copy of your script.
* Plays selected for the festival will be produced by Over Our Head Players.
Apricity Magazine open for short play submissions
Labels: publication, short plays
Website
Deadline: January 4, 2027 at 1AM
SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE
We accept submissions from the performing arts, including but not limited to original music, short film, short play, and dance. Scores, scripts, and screenplays count although live versions are encouraged. Please upload or include a link (of a Youtube video, a webpage, or a Google Drive file) to your submission as well as a brief description of your piece and how you arranged your performance. The maximum time allotted for videos is 15 minutes each. Simultaneous submissions are permitted.
Deadline: January 4, 2027 at 1AM
SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE
We accept submissions from the performing arts, including but not limited to original music, short film, short play, and dance. Scores, scripts, and screenplays count although live versions are encouraged. Please upload or include a link (of a Youtube video, a webpage, or a Google Drive file) to your submission as well as a brief description of your piece and how you arranged your performance. The maximum time allotted for videos is 15 minutes each. Simultaneous submissions are permitted.
We welcome comprehensive use of English and other languages. If your piece contains non-English languages, please include an English translation. Though we are an international magazine, our staff’s common language is English.
Before you submit, please note the following:
NOTIFICATION: You may expect notification of your acceptance or rejection within three months of submitting your piece. As our staff is composed entirely of university students, however, we do not operate from the end of May through the end of August. Any pieces submitted in April and May may not receive a response until August.
NON-PROFIT: We are a non-profit student organization. We intend to direct all net proceeds towards publication improvement and charitable donations focused on education.
FEES: There is no submissions fee, nor is there any payment for publishing your work (currently). However, should you be published in the print publication, you will receive a free contributor’s copy. If you are published online and would like to receive a print edition, you will receive a 60% discount.
Monday, September 28, 2026
FALL 2026 Online Classes in Writing the Ten-Minute Play with Arianna Rose
Labels: advertisement, class.png)
Online classes in Writing the Ten-Minute Play are open for pre-enrollment. The payment window opens October 9th.
"Writing for the Stage: The Ten-Minute Play"
Six Sessions, 3 hours each:
Tuition: $299 early bird through 10/10; $349 after
Course Repeaters Tuition: $175
Minimum 3 participants per section; maximum 8.
Recent Participant Testimonials:
Ten-minute play festivals dominate submission opportunities. While short-form plays share similarities with full-lengths, the dramatists who excel in this form write into the differences. You’ll learn the tools to write to the highest level of craft and make your work more producible.
The course combines lecture, reading, discussion, and in-class sharing of your writing for feedback. Topics: elements of a successful 10-minute play, dramatic structure, generating ideas, character development, giving and receiving constructive feedback, effective rewrites, formatting your play, submissions, and log-keeping.
"Writing for the Stage: The Ten-Minute Play"
Six Sessions, 3 hours each:
1. Thursdays, 1:00 – 4:00 pm OR 6:30 – 9:30 pm EDT October 15 – November 19
2. Mondays, 1:00 – 4:00 pm OR 6:30 – 9:30 pm EDT October 12 – November 16
Tuition: $299 early bird through 10/10; $349 after
Course Repeaters Tuition: $175
Minimum 3 participants per section; maximum 8.
Recent Participant Testimonials:
““Arianna’s mastery of the 10-minute play form is undeniable, and her passion for the craft is contagious… The “writer’s group” portion of the class became a highlight for me; it created a supportive space to share work, give and receive feedback, and learn from one another. Arianna’s organization and commitment to equity in the Zoom room created a safe, thoughtful, energizing space that didn’t just help me write a play—it helped me grow as a writer.”
~ Laura Thoma
I’ve taken more than a few playwriting classes, both in-person and online, and your class was by far the most productive and useful…I have a newfound appreciation for the plays I’ve read and how to write them, thanks to you.“~ Tom Cocklin, 2-time participant
“I enjoyed the class immensely and learned a lot. I would definitely recommend it to playwrights of all levels. The course was well organized, it's clear you are passionate about the subject, care for your students and have deep knowledge that you are so generous to share…"~ Jeff Perlman
Course Description:“Arianna is extremely skilled at sharing insightful, individualized feedback in a supportive environment. Her focus on dramatic structure was particularly helpful, and the course also offered invaluable and specific real world advice for writing and submitting short plays to festivals…"~ Donna R. Boyd, 2-time participant
Ten-minute play festivals dominate submission opportunities. While short-form plays share similarities with full-lengths, the dramatists who excel in this form write into the differences. You’ll learn the tools to write to the highest level of craft and make your work more producible.
The course combines lecture, reading, discussion, and in-class sharing of your writing for feedback. Topics: elements of a successful 10-minute play, dramatic structure, generating ideas, character development, giving and receiving constructive feedback, effective rewrites, formatting your play, submissions, and log-keeping.
Arianna has taught this course since 2023 at the Dramatists Guild Institute, PlayPenn Theatre, Delray Beach Playhouse, and independently. Her short plays have been presented in 39 states and 12 countries to date; won numerous awards; published in Smith & Kraus Anthologies, Applause Books, Ghostlight Publications, Theatre Odyssey Publications, Purple Light Publications.
Contact Arianna Rose at rockawayrose@gmail.com, or via the website where there is more information:
https://ariannarose.net/playwriting-classes-and-other-workshops
Interested but not available?
Email rockawayrose@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.
One-on-One Private Dramaturgy/Script Consulting
Prefer one-on-one coaching? Member, Dramaturg and Literary Managers Association of the Americas (LMDA) and the Dramatists Guild Plays-in-Progress Mentor Program. More information:
http://ariannarose.net/dramaturg-for-hire
https://ariannarose.net/playwriting-classes-and-other-workshops
Interested but not available?
Email rockawayrose@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list.
One-on-One Private Dramaturgy/Script Consulting
Prefer one-on-one coaching? Member, Dramaturg and Literary Managers Association of the Americas (LMDA) and the Dramatists Guild Plays-in-Progress Mentor Program. More information:
http://ariannarose.net/dramaturg-for-hire
Big Idea Theatre 2027 One-Act Festival
Labels: festival, one-act plays
Website
Deadline: October 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT
Sacramento CA
SUBMISSION FORM
This is your chance to see your work come to life on stage and connect with new audiences. Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to submit.
Some Guidelines:
Please only submit one script.
We receive HUNDREDS of scripts! Please be patient while we read them all and get back to you!
Deadline: October 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM PDT
Sacramento CA
SUBMISSION FORM
This is your chance to see your work come to life on stage and connect with new audiences. Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to submit.
Some Guidelines:
- Unit Sets work best in our space
- We aren't equipped to do musicals or children's theatre
- Plays that run somewhere around or between 20 to 60 minutes are ideal
- We will choose 6 plays via committee of theatre lovers to be presented as part of the festival from
- January 22rd - February 7th, 2026 in Sacramento, CA.
Please only submit one script.
We receive HUNDREDS of scripts! Please be patient while we read them all and get back to you!
UMBRELLAS FOR FISH seeks one-minute plays
Labels: monologues, publication, short playsDeadline: October 2, 2026
Submission email: ufjournal@aol.com
HOW TO SUBMIT
1. Prepare your manuscript according to the guidelines above.
2. Include a 50–100 word third-person author bio.
3. In the body of your email, include:
Your full name
Title of the play
Country of residence
The subtheme your play most closely relates to
A brief 1–3 sentence description of the play
4. Attach your manuscript as a DOC, DOCX or PDF file.
5. Name your file:
YOURNAME.docx
6. Send your submission to:
1. Prepare your manuscript according to the guidelines above.
2. Include a 50–100 word third-person author bio.
3. In the body of your email, include:
Your full name
Title of the play
Country of residence
The subtheme your play most closely relates to
A brief 1–3 sentence description of the play
4. Attach your manuscript as a DOC, DOCX or PDF file.
5. Name your file:
YOURNAME.docx
6. Send your submission to:
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Submit original work only.
Submit manuscripts in DOC, DOCX or PDF format only.
Use a readable 12-point font.
Number all pages.
Include a title page with the title of the play and author's name.
Scripts should follow standard dramatic formatting where appropriate.
Include a third-person author bio of 50–100 words at the end of the manuscript.
Multiple submissions are welcome (in a single email).
Simultaneous submissions are welcome; please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
Please submit only work for which you hold the necessary rights.
Submit original work only.
Submit manuscripts in DOC, DOCX or PDF format only.
Use a readable 12-point font.
Number all pages.
Include a title page with the title of the play and author's name.
Scripts should follow standard dramatic formatting where appropriate.
Include a third-person author bio of 50–100 words at the end of the manuscript.
Multiple submissions are welcome (in a single email).
Simultaneous submissions are welcome; please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
Please submit only work for which you hold the necessary rights.
UMBRELLAS FOR FISH
An International Journal of Absurd & Existential Drama
Umbrellas for Fish is pleased to announce a special international anthology of Absurd and Existential One-Minute Plays: ONE MINUTE BEFORE NOTHING HAPPENS
What can happen in one minute?
- A lifetime can end.
- A universe can begin.
- Someone can forget why they entered a room.
- A chair can refuse to be sat upon.
- Two strangers can wait for something that never arrives.
- A person can discover the meaning of life—just in time to forget it.
- Or, perhaps, nothing happens.
This anthology celebrates the extraordinary possibilities of theatrical brevity. We invite playwrights to create worlds in miniature—moments of revelation, confusion, silence, contradiction, catastrophe, comedy, and cosmic indifference.
Your play has approximately one minute.
What will happen before nothing does?
THEME & SUBTHEMES
All submitted plays should engage broadly with absurdist, existential, surreal, experimental, or philosophically unsettling theatre.
THEME & SUBTHEMES
All submitted plays should engage broadly with absurdist, existential, surreal, experimental, or philosophically unsettling theatre.
Writers may interpret the following themes freely and imaginatively.
1. Waiting for Something That Never Arrives
Characters wait—for a person, an answer, a bus, God, death, an announcement, or something they cannot name.
2. The Meaning of Life Is Temporarily Unavailable
A search for meaning meets bureaucracy, confusion, technical difficulties, silence, or an unexpected customer-service representative.
3. One Minute Until the End of the World
The apocalypse is imminent—or perhaps it has already happened, and nobody noticed.
4. Conversations with the Universe
The universe may finally respond. Unfortunately, it may have misunderstood the question.
5. Time Has Stopped, but Everyone Is Late
Clocks malfunction, time repeats, yesterday returns, or characters remain trapped inside a moment.
6. Nobody Remembers Why We Are Here
Identity, memory, purpose, and location dissolve into increasingly uncertain explanations.
7. Instructions for Existing
Characters receive rules for life, consciousness, happiness, breathing, or being human—but the instructions may be incomplete.
8. The Last Ordinary Thing
A familiar object, habit, conversation, or everyday action becomes suddenly strange, impossible, or profoundly significant.
9. Silence Has Something to Say
What happens when silence becomes a character—or when words become less trustworthy than what remains unspoken?
10. The Wrong Person Has Been Chosen to Exist
A bureaucratic, cosmic, or administrative error has occurred. Someone may have been given existence by mistake.
11. Exit Signs Point in Different Directions
Characters attempt to escape a room, a relationship, a memory, a role, a system, or existence itself.
12. Everything Is Fine, Except for Everything
Ordinary life continues despite an unnamed catastrophe, an impossible situation, or the slow collapse of reality.
13. A Small Eternity
One minute becomes endless. A brief moment expands into repetition, memory, regret, anticipation, or infinity.
14. The Things We Cannot Explain
Something impossible happens, and everyone attempts to explain it—making the situation increasingly incomprehensible.
15. One Minute Before Nothing Happens
- The central theme of the anthology.
- Something is about to happen.
- Or perhaps something has already happened.
- Or perhaps nothing is happening at all.
- The characters may be waiting for a beginning, an ending, a revelation, a disaster, or a moment that never arrives.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- We seek original one-minute plays that are:Absurd, existential, surreal, experimental, or darkly comic
- Theatrically imaginative and stageable
- Concise but emotionally, intellectually, or philosophically resonant
- Bold in form, structure, voice, or theatrical logic
- Strange for a reason—not merely random
- Open to ambiguity, contradiction, uncertainty, and unanswered questions
- Memorable enough to leave an impression long after sixty seconds have passed
We welcome:Monologues
- Dialogues
- Ensemble pieces
- Experimental dramatic fragments
- Non-linear theatre
- Surreal theatrical situations
- Dark comedy
- Minimalist drama
- Meta-theatre
- Unconventional forms of dramatic writing
SUBMISSION LENGTH
Each play should be designed to be performed in approximately one minute.
Maximum Length: 2 pages
There is no minimum or maximum number of characters.
A play may contain dialogue, silence, movement, stage directions, or any combination of theatrical elements.
Response Time
Approximately 1–2 weeks
Publication Date
OCTOBER 15, 2026
FEE
There is no reading fee, submission fee, or publication fee.
RIGHTS
If a work is selected for publication, the playwright retains all intellectual property, copyright, and performance rights to the work.
By accepting publication in ONE MINUTE BEFORE NOTHING HAPPENS: A Special International Anthology of Absurd & Existential One-Minute Plays, the author grants Umbrellas for Fish non-exclusive permission to publish the work as part of the anthology.
All rights remain with the author following publication. Authors remain free to reproduce, perform, publish, or republish their work elsewhere, provided that first publication in ONE MINUTE BEFORE NOTHING HAPPENS is acknowledged where appropriate.
PAYMENT
- Umbrellas for Fish is currently a non-paying market.
- As an independent literary journal and publishing initiative operating without grants, institutional funding, or regular donations, we are presently unable to offer royalties, honoraria, or other forms of monetary compensation to contributors.
- Authors whose work is selected for publication will receive publication credit and international exposure through the anthology.
EDITORIAL VISION
Umbrellas for Fish is devoted to theatre that embraces uncertainty.
We believe that theatre does not always need to provide answers.
Sometimes a question is enough.
Sometimes a contradiction is enough.
Sometimes a person standing in an empty room, holding an umbrella over a fish, is enough.
With ONE MINUTE BEFORE NOTHING HAPPENS, we want to explore what theatre can accomplish in the smallest possible spaces.
A minute can contain:
A beginning.
An ending.
A joke.
A catastrophe.
A confession.
A silence.
A universe.
Or nothing at all.
We welcome playwrights from all countries, backgrounds, and stages of their careers. We are especially interested in amplifying voices and theatrical perspectives that have been underrepresented in the dramatic canon.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.
OR DON'T.
ONE MINUTE BEFORE NOTHING HAPPENS
A Special International Anthology of Absurd & Existential One-Minute Plays
PUBLICATION DATE: OCTOBER 15, 2026
Sunday, September 27, 2026
The REVOLUTION STAGE COMPANY FOURTH Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival
Labels: 10-minute plays, festival, self-production
Website
Facebook
Deadline: October 30, 2026
Palm Springs, CA
The REVOLUTION STAGE COMPANY in Palm Springs is now accepting submissions for its FOURTH Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival to be held January 9th & 10th, 2027.
Deadline for submission of your original plays is Friday, October 30th, 2026. Submissions must be in doc or pdf format with pages numbered. Each selected play will receive $300 at the end of the festival.
If your play is accepted for this festival, it must arrive at the theater PRODUCTION-READY.
Please put "Ten-Minute Play Festival Submissions" in the subject line.
We will be making our decisions by November 15th and notifying playwrights by November 18th.
For the first time this year, those attending the Festival will be able to vote for:
FAVORITE PLAY, FAVORITE CAST, FAVORITE ACTOR, FAVORITE ACTRESS & FAVORITE DIRECTOR.
On Monday, January 18th at 2pm, the RSC will present a program called BEST OF THE FEST featuring anywhere from 3 to 6 of the
FAVORITE plays from this year's festival as determined by RSC. The program may also include memorable plays from previous Festivals. IF YOUR PLAY IS SELECTED for the BEST OF THE FEST program on January 18th, you will receive an additional S100.
Deadline: October 30, 2026
Palm Springs, CA
Email submissions by Friday, October 30th, 2026 to: 10minfest@revolutionstagecompany.com
The REVOLUTION STAGE COMPANY in Palm Springs is now accepting submissions for its FOURTH Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival to be held January 9th & 10th, 2027.
Deadline for submission of your original plays is Friday, October 30th, 2026. Submissions must be in doc or pdf format with pages numbered. Each selected play will receive $300 at the end of the festival.
If your play is accepted for this festival, it must arrive at the theater PRODUCTION-READY.
- You are responsible for all casting, rehearsing, etc. prior to bringing it to our stage.
- Playwrights may submit more than one play (up to three)
- All plays must run no more than 10 minutes when staged.
- All plays must be original and not yet performed in the Palm Springs area.
- All plays must be suitable for a general audience.
- All plays should have no more than 5 characters, with limited props and/or costumes.
- You will need to be able to provide, set-up and remove all props within two minutes.
- All plays should have no special tech requirements.
- Once accepted, there can be no changes that would alter the nature of the play.
- No scripts on stage except in the case of last minute emergencies
- No fee required for submissions.
Please put "Ten-Minute Play Festival Submissions" in the subject line.
We will be making our decisions by November 15th and notifying playwrights by November 18th.
For the first time this year, those attending the Festival will be able to vote for:
FAVORITE PLAY, FAVORITE CAST, FAVORITE ACTOR, FAVORITE ACTRESS & FAVORITE DIRECTOR.
On Monday, January 18th at 2pm, the RSC will present a program called BEST OF THE FEST featuring anywhere from 3 to 6 of the
FAVORITE plays from this year's festival as determined by RSC. The program may also include memorable plays from previous Festivals. IF YOUR PLAY IS SELECTED for the BEST OF THE FEST program on January 18th, you will receive an additional S100.
The International Human Rights Art Festival seeks 10-minute plays
Labels: 10-minute plays, festival, payment
Website
Deadline: September 30, 2026
New York NY
Deadline: September 30, 2026
New York NY
Seeking 10-minute, 2-character (only) plays, on any human rights concern, to be a part of a special event at this year's International Human Rights Art Festival (December 12, 2026).
Five playwrights will receive $50 each and two comp tickets to see their play produced.
The International Human Rights Art Festival is pairing with And Scene to present a unique evening of theater on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 7 pm at the Wild Project, as part of a yearly Festival. The show will be followed by a party.
Specifically, And Scene Producer Mick Szal will bring together New York's top improvisers and actors from Broadway, TV and beyond perform scenes. The catch: one of the actors will be "on (your) book," while the other will be completely improvising. The actors will know their lines and the improvisers will improvise with no prior knowledge of the scenes. (The format was inspired by Stephen Rudy and was originally performed under the name "Gravid Water" at UCB.)
Please send your 10-minute, 2-character play WITH NO ATTRIBUTION (BLIND SUBMISSIONS ONLY) to hello@humanrightsartmovement.org, with the subject line of your email with your last name_play title (Beckett_WaitingForGodot) for consideration.
Deadline September 30, 2026. All decisions by November 1.
Five playwrights will receive $50 each and two comp tickets to see their play produced.
The International Human Rights Art Festival is pairing with And Scene to present a unique evening of theater on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 7 pm at the Wild Project, as part of a yearly Festival. The show will be followed by a party.
Specifically, And Scene Producer Mick Szal will bring together New York's top improvisers and actors from Broadway, TV and beyond perform scenes. The catch: one of the actors will be "on (your) book," while the other will be completely improvising. The actors will know their lines and the improvisers will improvise with no prior knowledge of the scenes. (The format was inspired by Stephen Rudy and was originally performed under the name "Gravid Water" at UCB.)
Please send your 10-minute, 2-character play WITH NO ATTRIBUTION (BLIND SUBMISSIONS ONLY) to hello@humanrightsartmovement.org, with the subject line of your email with your last name_play title (Beckett_WaitingForGodot) for consideration.
Deadline September 30, 2026. All decisions by November 1.
Saturday, September 26, 2026
The script doctor is in the house! 🩷
Labels: advertisement, class
Script Services:
- Help clients fine-tune their scripts
- Offer rewrite suggestions to help tighten and polish your story
- Improve dialogue
- Punch up jokes and suggest opportunities for humor
- Help you learn how to HOOK a reader's interest
- Assist in finding submission, production, and publication opportunities
- Prefer a group setting? Join us virtually at the Hudson Valley Writers Center November 14th for "The Script Doctor Is In: With Sarah Congress"
Sarah Congress is an award-winning comedic playwright represented by Anthony Tall in Los Angeles. She is also a script doctor for film, television and theatre. Her play Dubai Chocolate is one of three new plays accepted in the 2026 All Exits New Jersey Play Lab Statewide Play Reading Series and will be produced this November at River Union Stage. Her romantic period piece Last Sunrise was produced by NYLon Fusion Theatre Co. in their Gilded Cage play festival June 2025 at TADA. Last Sunrise was presented with writers: John Patrick Shanley, Lyle Kessler (Orphans) and Migdalia Cruz (Fur). Her ten-minute play Overdose won 2nd place for BEST SHORT in the 2023 Downtown Urban Arts Festival at Playwrights Horizons.
Visit Sarah's website to learn more and connect.
Visit Sarah's website to learn more and connect.
Women's Work Short Play LAB '27
Labels: women, workshop
Website
Deadline: September 30, 2026 by 11:59 PM
SUBMISSION FORM
New Perspectives Theatre Company's WOMEN’S WORK LAB for short plays provides a supportive and nurturing environment to emerging and mid-career women playwrights while maintaining a rigorous feedback process that leads to production within six months.
Six playwright members are selected each year, along with a similar number of directors. The LAB meets monthly (the second Sunday) from February through June, allowing for time in between sessions for writers to continue to develop and revise their work in response to specific feedback from the dramaturgical team. Members are expected to bring work to each session beginning with the development of an original short play based upon an assigned theme.
Monthly feedback from the directors/dramaturgs focuses on the nuts and bolts of creating a 20-30 minute script ready for production. In a process unique to NPTC, feedback is given in a unified manner so playwrights do not have conflicting advice about what to work on, and so that the script moves forward according to NPTC's instructions as the producing entity. This approach creates a collaborative group from which members can draw inspiration and energy while modeling professional standards. Scripts are then produced in our annual MEGANNE GEORGE Women's Work Short Play Festival.
Applications are due by September 30, at 11:59 pm. Finalist interviews take place early December. The final cohort will be selected no less than two weeks after the finalist interview.
If you have any questions, please e-mail sp-apps@newperspectivestheatre.org
Deadline: September 30, 2026 by 11:59 PM
SUBMISSION FORM
New Perspectives Theatre Company's WOMEN’S WORK LAB for short plays provides a supportive and nurturing environment to emerging and mid-career women playwrights while maintaining a rigorous feedback process that leads to production within six months.
Six playwright members are selected each year, along with a similar number of directors. The LAB meets monthly (the second Sunday) from February through June, allowing for time in between sessions for writers to continue to develop and revise their work in response to specific feedback from the dramaturgical team. Members are expected to bring work to each session beginning with the development of an original short play based upon an assigned theme.
Monthly feedback from the directors/dramaturgs focuses on the nuts and bolts of creating a 20-30 minute script ready for production. In a process unique to NPTC, feedback is given in a unified manner so playwrights do not have conflicting advice about what to work on, and so that the script moves forward according to NPTC's instructions as the producing entity. This approach creates a collaborative group from which members can draw inspiration and energy while modeling professional standards. Scripts are then produced in our annual MEGANNE GEORGE Women's Work Short Play Festival.
Applications are due by September 30, at 11:59 pm. Finalist interviews take place early December. The final cohort will be selected no less than two weeks after the finalist interview.
If you have any questions, please e-mail sp-apps@newperspectivestheatre.org
Eclectic Full Contact Theater Company 6th Annual Patchwork Play Festival - A One-Act New Play Festival
Labels: 10-minute plays, award, one-act plays, short plays
Website
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Email submissions to: Patchworkplayfest@gmail.com
To be presented at The Edge Theater, 5451 N Broadway, Chicago, IL.
Feb. 26, 2027 - March 7, 2027
We are currently accepting submissions of New One-Act Plays that embody this years theme of: Alienation
Nine finalists will have their play produced in our festival.
Deadline: October 31, 2026
Email submissions to: Patchworkplayfest@gmail.com
To be presented at The Edge Theater, 5451 N Broadway, Chicago, IL.
Feb. 26, 2027 - March 7, 2027
We are currently accepting submissions of New One-Act Plays that embody this years theme of: Alienation
Nine finalists will have their play produced in our festival.
A $250 Award will be presented for best production as adjudicated by a panel of Chicago Theater professionals.
A $250 Audience Award will also be presented to the festival favorite as determined by our audiences.
Submission Requirements:
Submission Requirements:
- Play must be previously unproduced. (Staged Readings are fine)
- Play length not to exceed 30 minutes.
- Play must reflect the yearly theme. This years theme is: Alienation
- Play must be received by October 31, 2026
- Playwrights cannot submit more than 2 scripts per year for Patchwork. If more than 2 scripts are submitted by the same playwright, we’ll pick 2 at random. Only one play per playwright may be featured per Patchwork Festival per season.
- Scripts cannot contain copyrighted music unless the playwright owns the music’s copyright, or has written permission from the music’s copyright owner.
- We are not accepting musicals at this time.
Friday, September 25, 2026
Black Women On Broadway Reading Series Submissions
Labels: ethnicity-based, full-length plays, readings, women
Website
Deadline: October 14, 2026
Deadline: October 14, 2026
SUBMISSION FORM
The Black Women On Broadway Reading Series is a development reading series dedicated to early career Black Women Playwrights. This readings series offers ONE playwright the opportunity to have a relaxed approach to development with a full day of rehearsal culminating in a public reading that evening.
The reading series is scheduled for Monday, November 9th, 2026 with the generous support and partnership with WP Theater.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
- Any early career Black Woman playwright is encouraged to submit (NOTE: Early career = TWO or less professional productions in their career. Productions must have been at a non-profit, regional, commercial off-broadway or non-union theater only. Playwright cannot have been produced on Broadway. )
- The play submitted CANNOT have had a professional or workshop production. (Other developmental readings are fine)
- Only ONE submission per playwright.
- Playwrights CAN re-submit the same play if they have submitted to previous BWOB reading series
- Only FULL LENGTH PLAYS can be submitted. No musicals, no one act plays (i.e. 30 minutes or less,) no 10 minute plays. We are not accepting any solo/one person plays at this time.
- Playwright must be available in person, in New York City for the full day of the scheduled reading series date: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH, 2026. We cannot make any exceptions or provide any hotel, flight or other travel arrangements or accommodations.
- Playwright will receive $500 stipend
SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS WEDS, OCTOBER 14TH, 2026.
THE SELECTED PLAYWRIGHT NOTIFIED BY WEDS, OCTOBER 21ST, 2026
The Black Women On Broadway Reading Series is a development reading series dedicated to early career Black Women Playwrights. This readings series offers ONE playwright the opportunity to have a relaxed approach to development with a full day of rehearsal culminating in a public reading that evening.
The reading series is scheduled for Monday, November 9th, 2026 with the generous support and partnership with WP Theater.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
- Any early career Black Woman playwright is encouraged to submit (NOTE: Early career = TWO or less professional productions in their career. Productions must have been at a non-profit, regional, commercial off-broadway or non-union theater only. Playwright cannot have been produced on Broadway. )
- The play submitted CANNOT have had a professional or workshop production. (Other developmental readings are fine)
- Only ONE submission per playwright.
- Playwrights CAN re-submit the same play if they have submitted to previous BWOB reading series
- Only FULL LENGTH PLAYS can be submitted. No musicals, no one act plays (i.e. 30 minutes or less,) no 10 minute plays. We are not accepting any solo/one person plays at this time.
- Playwright must be available in person, in New York City for the full day of the scheduled reading series date: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH, 2026. We cannot make any exceptions or provide any hotel, flight or other travel arrangements or accommodations.
- Playwright will receive $500 stipend
SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS WEDS, OCTOBER 14TH, 2026.
THE SELECTED PLAYWRIGHT NOTIFIED BY WEDS, OCTOBER 21ST, 2026
Playwrights First submission window open
Labels: award, full-length plays
Website
Deadline: September 30, 2026
Overall, we look for:
- Imagination and originality in both style and subject or point of view.
- Characters that intrigue and move us.
- A compelling action revealing the human condition.
- Theatricality inherent in the above.
Rules:
One, single full-length play per playwright in English from anywhere in the world.
Not produced full-scale prior to submission. Readings, workshops, and college productions are acceptable.
No joint authorships, adaptations, translations, musicals, or shorts.
Award:
$1,000 first place.
Award listing of playwright and play title on our website.
Professional reading in NYC when feasible.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
In a single email provide the following 3 documents described below (Items A, B & C). Please make sure each document is its own separate PDF document, and include all 3 PDFs in the same email (as file attachments) to:
Playwrightsfirst1st@gmail.com
Note: This address is for submissions only.
Item A) Playscript in PDF format. The play should follow standard playwrighting convention and include a cover page, a character list/breakdown, page count, etc. Please, name your file using this format:Your Last name TITLE OF PLAY.pdf (Example: Shakespeare TWELFTH NIGHT.pdf)Note: The TITLE of the play is in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
Item B) Playwright/Production Resume, CV, or Narrative Biography in PDF format. Name your file like this:Your Last name RESUME.pdf (Example: Shakespeare RESUME.pdf)Note: RESUME is in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
Item C) Brief (3 paragraphs max) Summary of play in PDF format. At the top of your page, please provide your full name and the full title of your play. Name your file like this:Your Last Name SUMMARY.pdf (Example: Shakespeare SUMMARY.pdf)Note: SUMMARY is in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
IMPORTANT NOTE: Paper copies will not be accepted. PDF format ONLY.
PLEASE, BE CERTAIN TO USE THE CORRECT NAMING CONVENTION FOR EACH FILE (follow examples above). THIS YEAR, SUBMISSIONS NOT FOLLOWING OUR REQUESTED NAMING CONVENTIONS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED.
Each file MUST begin with your last name. Please leave one space after your last name -- do NOT use a dot, a dash, an underline. Please do NOT abbreviate the name of your play. Please do NOT use your first name. Please do not use your initials. We appreciate your attention to this detail as it helps our staff keep your materials organized.
Deadline: September 30, 2026
Overall, we look for:
- Imagination and originality in both style and subject or point of view.
- Characters that intrigue and move us.
- A compelling action revealing the human condition.
- Theatricality inherent in the above.
Rules:
One, single full-length play per playwright in English from anywhere in the world.
Not produced full-scale prior to submission. Readings, workshops, and college productions are acceptable.
No joint authorships, adaptations, translations, musicals, or shorts.
Award:
$1,000 first place.
Award listing of playwright and play title on our website.
Professional reading in NYC when feasible.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
In a single email provide the following 3 documents described below (Items A, B & C). Please make sure each document is its own separate PDF document, and include all 3 PDFs in the same email (as file attachments) to:
Playwrightsfirst1st@gmail.com
Note: This address is for submissions only.
Item A) Playscript in PDF format. The play should follow standard playwrighting convention and include a cover page, a character list/breakdown, page count, etc. Please, name your file using this format:Your Last name TITLE OF PLAY.pdf (Example: Shakespeare TWELFTH NIGHT.pdf)Note: The TITLE of the play is in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
Item B) Playwright/Production Resume, CV, or Narrative Biography in PDF format. Name your file like this:Your Last name RESUME.pdf (Example: Shakespeare RESUME.pdf)Note: RESUME is in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
Item C) Brief (3 paragraphs max) Summary of play in PDF format. At the top of your page, please provide your full name and the full title of your play. Name your file like this:Your Last Name SUMMARY.pdf (Example: Shakespeare SUMMARY.pdf)Note: SUMMARY is in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
IMPORTANT NOTE: Paper copies will not be accepted. PDF format ONLY.
PLEASE, BE CERTAIN TO USE THE CORRECT NAMING CONVENTION FOR EACH FILE (follow examples above). THIS YEAR, SUBMISSIONS NOT FOLLOWING OUR REQUESTED NAMING CONVENTIONS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED.
Each file MUST begin with your last name. Please leave one space after your last name -- do NOT use a dot, a dash, an underline. Please do NOT abbreviate the name of your play. Please do NOT use your first name. Please do not use your initials. We appreciate your attention to this detail as it helps our staff keep your materials organized.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Call for new works by Latina/e playwrights
Labels: ethnicity-based, full-length plays
Website
Deadline: September 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM (PDT)
Deadline: September 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM (PDT)
Portland Oregon
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT FOR MUNDO DE LAS MUJERES NEW PLAY READING FESTIVAL
Call for new works by Latina/e playwrights to receive a staged reading during Mundo de las Mujeres in March 2027
Milagro is pleased to announce the Mundo de Mujeres New Play Reading Festival, a celebration of new works by Latina/e playwrights as part of Milagro’s annual Mundo de Mujeres Women’s History Month Festival. This festival seeks to amplify Latina/e voices and stories exploring themes of womanhood, gender, sexuality, family relationships, identity, motherhood, sisterhood, and other experiences central to Latina/e communities.
The festival will feature staged readings of three new plays in varying stages of development, presented on the first three Wednesdays of March 2027 (March 3, 17, 24). Selected playwrights will receive an honorarium and a staged reading featuring a director, dramaturg, and a cast of local professional actors, providing an opportunity to hear their work in front of a live audience and continue its development.
Call for new works by Latina/e playwrights to receive a staged reading during Mundo de las Mujeres in March 2027
Milagro is pleased to announce the Mundo de Mujeres New Play Reading Festival, a celebration of new works by Latina/e playwrights as part of Milagro’s annual Mundo de Mujeres Women’s History Month Festival. This festival seeks to amplify Latina/e voices and stories exploring themes of womanhood, gender, sexuality, family relationships, identity, motherhood, sisterhood, and other experiences central to Latina/e communities.
The festival will feature staged readings of three new plays in varying stages of development, presented on the first three Wednesdays of March 2027 (March 3, 17, 24). Selected playwrights will receive an honorarium and a staged reading featuring a director, dramaturg, and a cast of local professional actors, providing an opportunity to hear their work in front of a live audience and continue its development.
Submission Timeline
Submission Deadline: September 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM (PDT)
Selected playwrights will be notified by early January 2027.
Casting will take place throughout January and February.
Rehearsals will occur during the week leading up to each respective reading.
Submission Requirements
A PDF of the script formatted according to the Dramatists Guild of America Traditional or Modern Play Format.
Selected playwrights will be notified by early January 2027.
Casting will take place throughout January and February.
Rehearsals will occur during the week leading up to each respective reading.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Open to playwrights who identify as Latina/e.
- Original full-length plays only (approximately 70–120 minutes).
- Scripts may be written in English, Spanish, or be bilingual.
- Preference will be given to plays requiring six actors or fewer.
- Plays requiring more than six actors should include the playwright’s preferred doubling plan.
- Playwrights are permitted to submit multiple scripts
- Plays that have received, or are scheduled to receive a full professional production that premiers before September 2027 are not eligible.
- Playwrights are strongly encouraged to attend their reading and participate in post-reading discussions, if possible.
Submission Requirements
A PDF of the script formatted according to the Dramatists Guild of America Traditional or Modern Play Format.
A playwright biography (maximum 90 words).
A play synopsis (maximum 150 words).
A brief development history, if applicable.
If you have questions, please contact mia@milagro.org.
A play synopsis (maximum 150 words).
A brief development history, if applicable.
If you have questions, please contact mia@milagro.org.
Invisible Theater seeks monologues for Fourth Annual Going It Alone
Labels: honorarium, monologues, solo showDeadline: October 1, 2026
Tuscon Arizona
Submissions are now open for Invisible Theatre's 4th annual all-monologue show: GOING IT ALONE!
The show is a collection of monologues chosen from submissions. We celebrate the unique challenge of writing for a solo performer and performing solo.
Must be a solo piece Must be a standalone monologue. Not a monologue taken from a full-length play you've written.
• Open to all playwrights worldwide
Performance of piece must be less than 6-7 minutes. No exceptions.
Any topic
1 submission per playwright permitted
10-12 monologues will be selected.
Small honorarium paid to chosen playwrights. Selected monologues will be cast, performed and directed by Tucson theatre artists in June 2027
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Murmuration Playwriting Cohort 2026/2027
Labels: NYC area writers only, workshop
Website
Deadline: September 27, 2026 at 11:59PM ET
Deadline: September 27, 2026 at 11:59PM ET
Or until they receive 200 submissions
SUBMISSION FORM
The Murmuration Playwriting Cohort is an eight-month program dedicated to developing new work by early and mid-career NYC playwrights. A cohort of six selected playwrights will meet bi-weekly (1 in-person & 1 virtual) on Monday evenings from November 2026 to June 2027 to share work, brainstorm ideas, and receive feedback from fellow writers. Selected playwrights will have the opportunity to workshop their projects and grow in community, with access to resources and support from the Murmuration Theatre Leadership team. The program culminates in a public staged reading series in June 2027.
Because community building requires significant time and energy - we ask you to be honest with yourself and with us about your ability to commit to the program. If you already feel spread thin in terms of artistic homes/projects/etc, please make space for another artist to have this opportunity.
We will be accepting submissions through September 27th, 2026 at 11:59PM ET or until we receive 200 playwright submissions - which ever comes first. All applicants will be notified on their application status on or around October 19th.
The Murmuration Playwriting Cohort is an eight-month program dedicated to developing new work by early and mid-career NYC playwrights. A cohort of six selected playwrights will meet bi-weekly (1 in-person & 1 virtual) on Monday evenings from November 2026 to June 2027 to share work, brainstorm ideas, and receive feedback from fellow writers. Selected playwrights will have the opportunity to workshop their projects and grow in community, with access to resources and support from the Murmuration Theatre Leadership team. The program culminates in a public staged reading series in June 2027.
Because community building requires significant time and energy - we ask you to be honest with yourself and with us about your ability to commit to the program. If you already feel spread thin in terms of artistic homes/projects/etc, please make space for another artist to have this opportunity.
We will be accepting submissions through September 27th, 2026 at 11:59PM ET or until we receive 200 playwright submissions - which ever comes first. All applicants will be notified on their application status on or around October 19th.
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