The People’s Theatre is seeking playwrights for the New Horizons Reading Festival

Website

Deadline: May 15, 2026

or when 100 submissions are received

SUBMISSION FORM

The People’s Theatre is seeking playwrights whose work engages with stories, experiences, and perspectives that have been historically underrepresented in the American theatre. We are especially interested in uplifting work that reflects the voices and lived experiences of immigrants, People of Color, Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ communities, while welcoming applications from playwrights of all backgrounds.

ELIGIBILITY:

• The applicant must have completed at least 1 full-length play or at least 2 one-act plays.
• Local NYC and its surrounding areas. If not living in the NYC metropolitan area, you must be willing to travel to NYC for in-person sessions.
• Must be available to attend in-person workshops and Reading Festival.

Three playwrights will be chosen to develop new plays each under the mentorship of award-winning playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez. The culminating plays will be showcased at New Horizons Play Reading Festival in December 2026, for inaugural season at our new brand new home The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante - at 419 West 206th Street, New York. We would like the program and the New Horizons Play Reading Festival to align with the themes of Purpose, Home and Belonging.

YOU WILL RECEIVE:
Ongoing Support to Develop Your Play: 

• Develop your work-in-progress into a 90 min play in workshops led by award-winning playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez.
• Actor Readings and Feedback: 
• Have actors read your latest writing during workshops and receive supportive feedback.
• Insight on the business of show business and resources to access: 
• Gain show business insights and resources from well-recognized industry members to advance your career.
• Director and Actors for Staging: Have your play directed and staged by professionals.
• Showcase your work: Present your play at New Horizons Play Reading Festival at our new brand new theater The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante.
• Industry Professionals: We invite agents and industry professionals to attend your play reading.
• Shared Dinner: Enjoy meals provided during each in-person workshop
• Compensation includes a $1,500 participation award and a $100 commuting stipend

The People's Theatre will receive:

• The right of first refusal to produce the selected plays within three years.

SCHEDULE:
Developmental Workshops

• 8/11/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
• 8/25/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
• 9/8/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
• 9/22/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
• 9/29/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
• 10/13/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (Zoom)
• 10/27/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
• 11/3/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)

Location: The People's Theatre, 419 W 206th St, New York, NY 10034

New Horizons Reading Festival
Nov 30- Dec 6, 2026

Each play will receive 10 hours of rehearsal over two days, culminating in two public staged readings.

Venue: The People's Theatre Studio Theatre

Reflection meeting
1/26/2027, 5:30-8:30pm, Reflection (In-person)

SUBMISSION SCHEDULE
May 15, 2026: Submissions Close, or when 100 submissions are received
The week of June 22, 2026: Finalists invited to online interviews
The week of July 13, 2026: Participants Selected

For any questions regarding The People’s Theatre Playwrights Unit 2026, please email sinny@peoplestheatreproject.org.

Ruby Slippers Theatre CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ADVANCE THEATRE FESTIVAL: 2026/27

Website

Deadline: May 15, 2026

Open to anybody but they give preference to people in the Vancouver area.

For over ten years, Ruby Slippers Theatre’s Advance Theatre Festival has developed and showcased five dramatic readings over five days of new works written and directed by equity-deserving artists. Many of these plays go on to be fully professionally produced.

If you are a playwright and your play is chosen to participate in the Advance Theatre Festival, Ruby Slippers Theatre, in partnership with The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, will cover the costs of all rehearsals prior to the day of the reading, your technical rehearsal, promotion, theatrical venue, and all artists’ fees.

If you are a director interested in participating, please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration.

Playwrights: please send your play synopsis, brief bio, and a maximum fifteen-page script excerpt to info@rubyslippers.ca by May 15, 2026. 

One submission per person, please. Successful candidates will be notified by June 15, 2026.

The 2026/27 Advance Theatre Festival will take place in January/Feb of 2027. Exact dates TBD.

Our Curator for ATF 26/27 is Faly Mevamanana. You can read about her here: https://www.rubyslippers.ca/about/artist-in-residence-2025-2026/

Priority will be given to inclusivity, considering all cultural backgrounds, orientations, identities, abilities, and ages.

The Advance Theatre Festival is brought to you by Ruby Slippers Theatre in partnership with The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Playwrights Guild of Canada. It takes place in Vancouver, B.C., on the unceded lands of the Coast Salish People.

BREAK A LEG PRODUCTIONS annual One-Act Slam

Website

Deadline: June 1, 2026

Email scripts to plays.balproductions@gmail.com with the subject line "[PLAY TITLE] – [PLAYWRIGHT'S NAME]." 

This year's theme is NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: New York City (or tristate area) writers writing plays about the New York City experience. 

PLEASE INCLUDE ON THE COVER PAGE OF YOUR SCRIPT A SHORT PARAGRAPH ABOUT YOUR CONNECTION TO NEW YORK CITY.

Plays should run 15-20 minutes. The Slam will be on September 26th. 

The audience votes on their favorite short play, and the winner receives $100.

Only one submission per playwright, please. 

The Peoples Improv Theater seeks productions for Spring/Summer 2026

Website

Deadline: none given

SUBMIT VIA GOOGLE FORM

The PIT is holding an open call for scripts to program in one of its four spaces. Available for readings, workshops, or fully staged plays/musicals!

The length of plays wanted: 10 minutes to 90 minutes

Access to venue, tech time marketing, front of house team, and ticketing. Space to present your latest work and invite your community

We also recommend you include the following: 

The playwright may submit more than one play.

Instagram

2027 Open Stage Space Grant

Website

Deadline: May 31, 2026

2027 Open Stage Space Grant Application Form.

For over 100 years, EAG has provided emergency financial aid and career support to New York City’s professional performing artists. We take pride in our ongoing effort to find new ways to support our vibrant performing arts community. Understanding how challenging it is for emerging theatre companies to find affordable space for creating work in NYC, we introduced the Open Stage space grant in 2017. With Open Stage, we can support theatre companies by giving them an opportunity to create and present work without the challenges that come with finding and maintaining affordable space.

When a NYC theatre company is awarded an Open Stage grant, they will receive:

• a $6,000 credit to be used towards booking up to 80 hours in our historic theatre space at our EAG member rate of $75/hour during a two-month residency at Guild Hall (1 East 29th Street, NYC 10016),
• $1,000 from EAG's Teri Black Performance Fund to be used towards performer/director stipends, AND
• limited additional funding (amount TBD) for some specific line items in their production budgets thanks to NYSCA and NYC's DCLA. 
• During a grantee's residency, they can use their time booked in Guild Hall to meet, develop, devise, rehearse, tech, and perform the piece of their choosing. Each residency must culminate with 4-8 ticketed public performances in Guild Hall. The gross proceeds from these performances will be split evenly between the grant recipient and the charitable programs of EAG. 

All applicants are highly encouraged to familiarize themselves with our unique space before applying (www.actorsguild.org/rent-our-space). If you have not been to Guild Hall before and would like to see it in person, please call or email us and we will be happy to schedule an appointment for a walk through.

This year, we are accepting applications for ONE Winter 2027 (January/February) Open Stage grant and ONE Summer 2027 (July/August) Open Stage grant.

For our 2027 Open Stage grants, EAG is specifically looking to support NYC theatre companies that are seeking a residency to present:

• a staged reading of a new/original work with a larger cast,
• a developmental workshop of a new/original work with a smaller cast, OR
• a more fully realized production of a new/original solo show or two-hander.
• After several years of offering Open Stage grants, we believe that these options for the scale of a piece/presentation provide the most flexibility to grantees to successfully develop and explore a new work in our unique space while making mindful use of everyone's time and paying everyone equitably.

What makes for a successful Open Stage application?

A strong mission,
A demonstrated need,
A commitment to equitable pay for artists, AND
A demonstrated ability to achieve stated goals for the project (appropriate levels of staffing and funding to see the proposed project through, etc.)
You can preview the questions asked on this year's application here. All applications must be submitted online through this form in order to be considered for this opportunity.


TIMELINE
Application due: Sunday, May 31, 2026. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.
Finalist Interviews (in person at Guild Hall): The week of July 6, 2026.
Announcement of grant recipients: The week of July 13, 2026.

THE TENS FESTIVAL 2026 seeks 10-minute plays

Website

Deadline: May 23, 2026 at midnight EDT

Email Scripts to: Pancho@ParishPlayers.org 

Email Subject Line: Use the title of the play as the subject line of your email. 

File name: Name your PDF with the title of the play, a hyphen, and your own last name,
e.g. Hamlet-Shakespeare.

Types of Plays: Comedies or Dramas must be no more than 10 minutes in length.

Setting: Simple; the festival will offer 6 to 8 plays, and minimal set changes are required.

Notification of Selection: No later than June 20th, 2026.

Performance Dates: October 2026.

Producer: Beata Isaacs Randall

How to submit your script:

File format: PDF ONLY!

Please Note: No more than one script per playwright. We prefer new, unproduced plays; however previously produced and already published original plays will be considered. We will also give preference to "local" (New England) playwrights.

Questions? Email Pancho@ParishPlayers.org using the subject line: TENS QUESTION.

Gather by Ghostlight seeks plays for Stage Fright 2026

Website

Deadline: July 10, 2026

Submit your script to submissions@gatherbytheghostlight.com with the subject line "STAGE FRIGHTS SUBMISSION"

Each October we produce a stage show of horror themed plays for a live audience at Le Chat Noir theatre in Augusta, GA. This live show also gets released as an episode on our podcast and YouTube. 

If you would like to submit a script to Stage Frights 2026, please read the guidelines below.Script Length - 15 pages or less (please make sure pages are numbered)

Each writer may submit up to two scripts.

Genre - Horror ONLY. These can be super scary or can be horror comedies or any other horror subgenre. Just make sure that it has horror elements. We also love it when spooky sound FX are incorporated. We have a foley guy for this live show. Make us use him.

Cast Size - 2 or more characters. No one-person shows.

Format - Any format as long as it's dialogue based and we can tell what's going on in the story. We don't produce audiobooks. Please don't submit a prose story and expect us to adapt your work to a dialogue format for voice actors to perform.

BLIND SUBMISSION - No Author information should be on your script. Contact info should ONLY be in the body of your email submission.

A total of six scripts will be selected for production.

Each writer will be paid $50 if their script is selected and will be published in our STAGE FRIGHTS ANTHOLOGY Book.

Please know that all submissions (that follow the guidelines) will be read by a panel of anonymous readers. You will be contacted by the end of July if we want to produce your script for STAGE FRIGHTS.

We recommend that you listen to previous productions of Stage Frights on our podcast so that you get a feel for the type of works we produce for that series. Or watch the filmed performance from last year - STAGE FRIGHTS: THE SEQUEL-ISH

Perlberg Festival 2027 seeks full-length plays

Website

Deadline: May 31, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

The 2026 Perlberg Festival of New Plays at Palm Beach Dramaworks is accepting submissions through May.

What are we looking for?

• Comedies and Dramas (no musicals)
• Cast sizes between 2 and 5 (doubling is okay)
• Plays that really explore relationships/deeper ideas/the human condition
• Plays between 70 and 120 minutes (full-length but not epically long)
• One submission per writer -- if you're trying to decide which to send, send the one that seems like the best "fit" for Palm Beach Dramaworks
• UNPRODUCED, with no productions scheduled before April of 2027

Dear US.: One-Acts to Bridge the Divide

Website

Deadline: June 20, 2026

SUBMIT VIA SUBFOLIO

Dear US is a compilation of solicited plays, performed as staged readings near Tampa, FL, followed by a facilitated conversation with audience, actors, and any playwrights that may be present.

Blind Submission

Anonymity: Your name, address, or any identifying information must not appear anywhere on the script, including the title page, headers, footers, or filename.

Filename: Name your file only with the title of the play. (e.g., Title_of_Play.pdf)

Identification: Any identifying marks will disqualify the script. Please, please, remove it all -- even initialed page numbers -- so that the process remains entirely blind.

General

Length: No more than 10 pages, excluding title and character pages. Run time less than 10 minutes. Monologues are welcome: ideally, 3-5 minutes run time. No musicals.

Format: Upload as a single PDF file.

Originality: Work must be original and not previously published. PLAYS USING AI WILL NOT BE READ.

Script Formatting

Font: 12-point 

Margins: at least 1- inch margins on all sides.

Pagination: Start with "1" on the first page of the dialogue.

PDF Document Order 

    1. Title Page: Do not include your name or contact information.    

    2. Character/Setting page: brief descriptions and time/place.

     3. The Script: Max 10 pages, not to exceed 10 minutes playing time.

To submit, you'll need to make a free account with Subfolio, which will walk you through the entire submission process. Art of Freedom LIVE uses Subfolio to guarantee that the process is blind and fair. 

Questions? Feel free to contact me, but do not share with me the title or other identifiers of your play/monologue: mary@artoffreedom.live

LOL Short Play Comedy Festival 2026

Website

Deadline: May 8, 2026 11:59 PM

SUBMISSION FORM

Now seeking COMEDY pieces from 8 – 15 minutes. If it makes us laugh, it’s fair game! Pieces can be short plays, short musicals, or comedy sketch pieces (can be more than one skit combined).

All pieces submitted must be comedies.

DATES & LOCATIONS: July 16 – 26 2026 The Steve & Marie Sgouros Theatre at The Players Theatre: 115 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012 - 3rd floor walk up: 3 weeks, 4 performances weekly (Thursday through Sunday), 5 new plays featured each week. Each play performs four times in its selected week (Week 1 or Week 2). 

 ELIGIBILITY: Short Plays, Short Musicals, Short Comedy Sketches (minimum 8 minutes, can be more than one skit combined) with a performance time of 15 minutes or less, no more than 15 pages in length (not including title page). Writers are eligible to submit up to 2 plays/pieces.

PRIZE: Each week a audience favorite is selected by audience vote. The winner of each week will receive $100 prize. If you are the winner, you must submit a PayPal account to receive your prize. THEME: "LOL" Make it all about the laughs! All pieces must be comedies. 

 1) Playwrights are responsible for producing their own play - Host (us) provides theatre, technicians, marketing and box office. 

2) If selected, there is a $50 NON-refundable tech fee required Pieces MUST be NO MORE 15 minutes in length, which equals approximately 15 pages of script (not including title page). Submissions open: April 10, 2026 Submissions close: May 8, 2026 Piece selection announced soon thereafter (it may take a few weeks after the close of the submission window).

Stage Left Theater Queer Voices Festival

Website

Deadline: April 29, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Our ode to pride Month, we are thrilled to present staged readings of queer-written works presenting by our strong and proud LGBTQIA+ community. Lift every voice. Share every story. Shine together.

Open to Queer and Trans writers.

Accepting monologues, short two or three person plays, and songs. All pieces must run no longer than 5 minutes.

Submissions must be original works.

Join us in celebrating the voices, stories, and creative power of the Queer community.

Each piece will be presented with minimalist design of acting blocks and basic wash of lights. Any additional staging elements would be up to the director of each piece to provide. The festivals at Stage Left live somewhere between a full production and a fully staged reading as the focus will be on the words and not the spectacle.

This opportunity will be limited to 14 pieces.

Selection Notification: May 8th, 2026

Performance Dates: June 4th- 7th, 2026

This is an unpaid opportunity, but all playwrights will be provided with a filmed performance of their piece within a month of the show.

Veterans' 10 Minute Playwrighting Contest 2026

Website

Deadline: June 30, 2026 11:59 PM

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

Designated a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs, a Top College and University by Military Advanced Education, and a Best for Vets College by Military Times, Salem State values our military connected students and their families and the sacrifices they have made for our country. Salem State is committed to supporting Veterans’ voices on and off campus. The arts create unique and powerful opportunities for individuals and groups to share experiences and constructive dialogue. As such, Salem State is proud to announce its seventh annual Veterans Playwriting contest which will culminate in staged readings of selected plays in November 2026.

All playwrights, regardless of military affiliation, are invited to enter Salem State University’s 10-Minute Playwriting Contest. However, preference will be given to those with a direct military connection. This includes active-duty military, reservists, National Guard, Veterans, and direct family of any of these.

The theme of the play should directly touch on military service and/or how military service affects a community. The contest and festival look to recognize and celebrate those that have served and currently serve. We are looking to bring together a variety of voices exploring both the challenges and the victories and positive influences that Veterans have on our community.

Judges will select finalists, whose plays will be part of a series of staged readings in November 2026.

Important Dates

June 30, 2026 - Entry deadline

August 15, 2026 - Notification of finalists

November 2026 – Staged readings with post-performance discussions. Additional details forthcoming.

Contest RulesOnly submissions through Submittable will be considered.

• One submission per playwright.
• Only original plays, not-yet produced or published, are eligible.
• All plays are judged blind. Do not include any personal, identifying information anywhere on your submission.
• Musicals and adaptations are not eligible.
• Simultaneous submissions are allowed. If your play is accepted elsewhere, please let us know immediately. If your play is chosen to be performed, you agree to withdraw your play from all other places where it is under consideration.
• By submitting, you agree to allow Salem State University to produce the first staged reading of your play.
• Scripts meeting the rules and submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by judges.
• Judging will be done by SSU faculty and members of the SSU Veterans’ community.

Judging Criteria

StoryPlot seems fresh, intriguing and original
Something happens; sufficient conflict and tension throughout the play
Plot is active, vital and dramatic on stage
Story moves along; pace is engaging

VoiceStrong, interesting writing style
Clear viewpoint that’s well integrated into the play

CharactersInteresting and compelling characters
Characters seem credible and real
Main character evolves or develops through the course of the play

DialogueDialogue suits the characters
Dialogue sounds natural and credible for the plot and location
Each character has own unique voice
Dialogue seems fresh and compelling (not dull, boring, or generic)

AppropriatenessThe play can be staged in the 10-minute time allotment in a black box theatre with limited set, sound, and design.

Overall effectPlay is transformative and memorable

Submitting Your Work

The script must be in standard playwriting format with 12-point Courier font. Use double spacing when changing from one character to another. Use single spacing everywhere else. If you are unfamiliar with standard playwriting format, please check out this example.

PLAYS THAT FAIL TO MEET THESE CRITERIA WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Questions: email arts@salemstate.edu

46 Minutes Collected seeks short works for Mixed Bag

Website

Deadline: May 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

SUBMISSION FORM

Mixed Bag Application - July 13, 2026 Performance

Description: Mixed Bag is a variety show for first drafts. We provide artists working in a variety of mediums with a low-tech space and audiences to further develop their works. We hope this will be an opportunity to learn about your piece and discover the next steps in your process.

Performance Date: July 13, 2026 from 4:30-9 PM, Performance at 7:30 PM

Location: Brick Aux (628 Metropolitan Ave)

What we are looking for: 

• In-development work that has not yet premiered. One or two developmental readings or showings is okay, but we are looking for work in the earlier stages of development. 
• Works in any medium: performance art, dance, theater, film, music, poetry, multi-media, interactive art, magic, mime, juggling, etc. (these can be excerpts of longer works).
• Artists who are looking to investigate or discover something about their work.
• Cast: Up to 10 performers
• Length: Up to 15 minutes

We Can Offer: 

• A low-tech performance space at Brick Aux to share your work .
• One, 20-minute spacing rehearsal the hour before the show.
• A Stage Manager to assist with the run of show.
• Photos and video of your piece.

An audience of fellow artists and creatives to share in your developmental process with the option for feedback from the audience if that is helpful for your process.
Marketing through the 46 Minutes Instagram and mailing list. If selected, we will ask for additional marketing materials from you/your team.

Brick Aux space capabilities (basic sound system, clip lights, projector, tables and chairs) (learn more here).

Box Office Split: Please note that tickets are donation-based, so we cannot guarantee a profit from this event. Once we have covered the space rental via donations, all additional ticket funds will be split evenly amongst the performers and the collective.

What You Bring:

• Collaborators and creative team.
• Any desired props, costumes, lights, design elements, etc. beyond what exists in the Brick Aux space.
• An understanding of what you need to present your own work at whatever stage it's at in your process.
• An openness to the liminal space that is in-process work and a desire to discover what can be learned when presenting a rough draft.Please Note: The artist is responsible for all rehearsal process needs. We are unable to provide any rehearsal space or financial assistance at this time. This is designed to be an in-process showing, so we encourage you to come as you are with whatever you have created at this point in time. 

Each artist may only submit one piece per Mixed Bag showing.

If you have any questions please reach out to us at 46mincollective@gmail.com

We at The 46 Minutes Collective are committed to making our programming accessible to all who wish to participate, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 46mincollective@gmail.com with any ways we can support you.

Theatre Off the Square 2026 New Works Contest

Facebook page

Deadline: May 31, 2026

Send scripts to: info@theatreoffthesquare.org

Please submit scripts without identifying information (Playwright's name, address, etc.)

Each entry must be an original, unpublished work.

Final work must be submitted by May 31. No additional edits can be submitted for consideration after this date.

We are not considering works commissioned by another theater.

Playwrights must be willing to travel for a staged reading (Weatherford Texas) and, if selected, will be recognized as a special guest on opening night.

Scripts must be between 30 minutes and an hour in length and able to be performed in one act. 

Genre and theme open to the playwright.

The theme does not have to be overt; it can be symbolized throughout.

Community standards will play a role in selecting shows for the staged readings, so please keep content in mind.

The person responsible for the submissions will ensure total anonymity and will not be a reader in the first round of judging.

Please ensure that your name is not on your script

Plays will be judged in two separate categories-Youth for playwrights 17 and under and Adult for playwrights 18+. The category is based on age as of July 3lst, when submissions are due. 

Up to 6 plays will be chosen for staged readings on October 4th, where final judging will occur. This group will include one show from the Youth category and up to 5 from the Adult category. In the event that there are no qualifying Youth participants, all readings will come from the Adult category.
The top two plays will be performed together as a single production at Theatre Off The Square in 2026. The playwright may or may not be consulted for production. 

If interested and approved by the Directors Selection Committee of Theatre Off The Square, winners may also be involved in the production up to directing. 

Winners will each receive $200 and 5 comp ticket

Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights 2026

Website

Deadline: May 1, 2026

Please send play and a brief synopsis to:  apfestival@bartertheatre.com

Plays must be written by an Appalachian playwright (currently living in a state that contains the Appalachian Mountain Range— which, for our purposes, run from New York to Alabama.)

OR 

The plays must be set in the Appalachian region.
Plays must be unpublished and must not have had a full professional production.
Plays must be full length.
Plays must be submitted electronically.

Six new Appalachian plays are chosen from the submissions to be given public readings by Barter’s company.

The playwrights are brought in at the beginning of the festival week to be a part of the rehearsal process. Each play is given about 8 hours of rehearsal time with the focus being on clarity of story.

After each reading, there is a moderated discussion between a panel made up of three regional theatre professionals and, most importantly, the audience, for their feedback. That way, the playwright receives feedback from three separate groups: artists, panelists, and audience.

Playwrights have found this to be a very useful step in developing their plays, as well as a wonderful opportunity to meet other artists, make new friends, and enjoy the beauty of Southwest Virginia!

AFPP 2027 Submission Deadline: May 1st, 2026

Surfside Playhouse Readers’ Theatre - CALL FOR 10-MINUTE PLAYS & MUSICALS

Website

Deadline: May 1, 2026
Only the first 100 submissions will be considered

NOTE: they are no longer accepting "straight plays" - only musicals will now be accepted from now until May 1.

Summer Stories – Readers’ Theater

Submit to: NancyMaticanBock@gmail.com

Surfside Playhouse is seeking summer-themed 10 minute scripts for an upcoming Readers’ Theater production.

Musicals strongly encouraged. Plays welcome.

Theme examples include:
beach days, vacations, summer camp, family reunions, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, road trips, romance, friendships, coming-of-age moments, bonfires, sunshine, and more.

Submission Window: April 20 – May 1

One submission per playwright

Requirements:

• 10 minutes max
• 6 characters or fewer
• Title page with playwright name, email, city
• Musicals must include book, music, lyrics (with cities)
• First page must include character breakdown + 2–3 sentence synopsis
• Musicals must include score + demos (with and without vocals)

Selected works will be presented as part of Surfside Playhouse Readers’ Theatre on May 30th at 2pm in Cocoa Beach.

Go Try Play Write April 2026

Website

Deadline: April 30, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

We're proud to announce a new monthly playwriting contest in collaboration with Bamboo Ridge Press. Every month, Kumu Kahua's artistic director Harry Wong III will select a writing prompt on the first day of that month. We're looking for 5-page monologues or 10-page scenes based on that prompt; the due date for submissions are always the last day of the month. All entries must be written in traditional play format; instructions on this format can be found here (https://www.dramatistsguild.com/script-formats), courtesy of the Dramatists Guild.

There will be one winner each month. Scripts will be submitted to the judges anonymously. Winners will receive $100 and a subscription to Bamboo Ridge Press. Woo!

The prompt for April 2026 is an “Are you ready to order, yet?” prompt:

Write a 10-page maximum scene or an eight-page maximum monologue about a restaurant where the food is great, but the service sucks. It could be a sit-down restaurant, plate lunch counter, food truck — wherever you go buy food that you no can resist. (This prompt was inspired by the cast of Blu’s Hanging!)

Nomad Theatre seeks 6-10 short plays set in a bar

Website

Deadline: April 27, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Nomad Theatre seeks 6-10 short plays to be a part of our upcoming show in August 2026. Submissions will open on March 2nd and closes on April 27th, 2026, at midnight. Selected playwrights will receive notification by June 30th. If you have not received notification from us by that date, we did not choose you for the production.

Nomad Theatre returns to its roots with the Bar Plays.

A bar is a special kind of crossroads...a place where strangers become confidants, where regulars guard their favorite stools, where celebrations and heartbreaks unfold under the same low light. It’s a sanctuary, a confessional, a stage for small truths and big revelations.

Pull up a chair and take a glimpse into the lives of characters navigating conversations, secrets, and emotions within the intimate confines of a local watering hole. Belly up to the bar for an evening of short plays that all take place in “The Bar”, where anything can happen, and often does.
Selected plays must take place in a bar. We encourage you to use the space creatively. They must be unpublished and unproduced at the time of submission.

This call is open to all playwrights worldwide. Selected playwrights receive a $25 honorarium, full production of their show and a ticket to attend. We encourage anyone to submit, even if you’ve never written a play. 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:

• How well it meets the theme of the Bar
• Overall writing quality (Plot - we like different or quirky, weird, out-of-the-box theatre; Character Development; Dialogue)
• Suitability for our actors and space - low tech, 1-4 characters, flexible castingSubmission 

Guidelines:

• One submission per playwright
• A running time of 10-12 minutes long, or roughly 8-15 pages
• A cover page should include the title, the playwright’s name, contact information, a brief synopsis, and character descriptions.
• Pages should be numbered.
• Minimum of 1, maximum of 4 actors (characters may be double cast)
• Label your document as TITLE OF PLAY_LastName
• Must take place in a bar.
• 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

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.

Once Upon a Crocodile seeks short plays for the next issue

Website

Deadline: May 31, 2026 by 11:59 PM GMT

Send your play pasted into the body of an e-mail with “Submission” in the Subject line, to: onceuponacrocodile@gmail.com

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Humorous Fantasy (high, dark, low, light, wet or dry, we don’t mind, so long as it’s funny)
• Humorous Sci-Fi
• Dark humour / tongue-in-cheek horror
• The Absurd
• Funny animal stories
• Parodies
• Pastiches
• Short funny plays / vignettes
• Funny poems of any form (limericks, senryu, haiku, etc)

• DO NOT send us stuff written with AI.

As long as it makes us laugh, we will be interested to read it.

SHORT PLAYS
2000 words maximum.
Black, 12pt Times New Roman font, please. Make sure to proofread your work before flapping it at us.

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest

Website

Deadline: December 31, 2026

The Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest invites playwrights to submit original works inspired by, connected to, or thematically centered on the history, architecture, culture, or personal stories associated with the Northern Michigan Asylum (also known as the Traverse City State Hospital). Works may be dramatic, comedic, historical, speculative, or musical in style, but all submissions must honor or explore the site in a meaningful way.

Contest is hosted by Old Town Playhouse (OTP), a community theater serving Traverse City, Michigan, and The Minervini Group LLC (TMG), redevelopers of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, the original site of the Northern Michigan Asylum.

The contest opens January 19, 2026, and all submissions must be received by December 31, 2026.

Eligibility

• Open to writers of all experience levels.
• Writers must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission.
• Co-authored works are permitted.
• Submissions must be written in English.

Content Requirements

Subject Matter: The play must contain significant themes, settings, characters, or plot elements directly related to the Northern Michigan Asylum/Traverse City State Hospital.

Allowed Formats:

o One-act plays
o Two-act plays
o Musicals

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest — Submission Guidelines 

Length Guidelines:

o One-act: 20–60 minutes
o Two-act: 60–150 minutes
o Musicals: 45–180 minutes

• Originality: Only original, unpublished, and unproduced works are eligible.

Prohibition on AI-Generated Content

To preserve artistic integrity and honor the spirit of the competition:

• No portion of the script may be generated by artificial intelligence tools (including ChatGPT, other LLMs, AI story generators, or automated scriptwriting tools).

• Writers may not use AI to draft, plot, or produce dialogue or lyrics.

• AI-assisted proofreading (e.g., spelling/grammar checks) is permitted, but no AI content generation may be used at any stage.

• Entrants will be required to attest that all creative content is human-authored.

Submission Requirements

• Format:

o PDF file only
o Standard script formatting preferred (12-point font, standard margins)
o Include a title page with:

▪ Play title
▪ Author’s name
▪ Contact email
▪ Contact phone number
▪ Whether the play is one-act, two-act, or a musical
• Page Header: Include the play title and page numbers on each page.

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest — Submission Guidelines Page 2• Synopsis: Include a 150–300 word synopsis at the beginning (separate page).

• Character Breakdown: Provide a list of characters, including vocal ranges for musicals.

• Optional: A brief (100-word) playwright biography.

Submission Process

• Submissions open January 19, 2026 at 12:00 AM EST.

• All entries must be submitted by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

• Submissions must be sent by email to contest@oldtownplayhouse.com either as a PDF attachment or unrestricted link to cloud storage.

• Each entrant may submit up to two plays.

Evaluation Criteria & Winning

Entries will be judged on:

• Quality of storytelling and dramatic structure

• Creative integration of Northern Michigan Asylum themes

• Originality and artistic vision

• Character development

• Stage feasibility

• Musical quality (for musicals)

One work will be chosen to be fully workshopped and produced in late 2027 or early 2028 by Old Town Playhouse. The performance will take place at Kirkbride Hall located in one of the original Northern Michigan Asylum buildings. [Note: A staged reading may be presented in lieu of a full production if material warrants such].

Judges panel will be comprised of two representatives from Old Town Playhouse, two representatives from The Minervini Group LLC and one outside representative designated by Old Town Playhouse to serve on the panel.

Winning playwright will be notified no later than February 28, 2027.

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest — Submission Guidelines 

Rights and Permissions

• Playwrights retain all rights to their work.

• By entering the contest, playwrights grant the organizers permission to excerpt, read publicly, or stage readings for purposes of event promotion from the time the winning script is selected and announced until the closing performance of the OTP production produced in late 2027 or early 2028.

Fairy Tale Review seeks plays for Volume 23

Website

Deadline: June 16, 2026 3AM

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

Fairy Tale Review invites submissions for consideration by the editors for Volume 23, which will be published in Spring 2027.

We can consider up to 30 manuscript pages. 

Submissions can include a single work or multiple complete works. 

You will be asked to designate a genre when you submit. Y

ou may submit in multiple genres, but please only submit once to each genre. 

We prefer Word documents; please include page numbers. A cover sheet with titles is helpful if the document includes multiple works. If your work has special formatting needs to appear on the page as intended, please submit both a Word document and a PDF. 

We consider all styles and genres: prose fiction, verse fiction, memoir, essay, craft essay, creative scholarship, poetry, not to mention work that does not fall neatly into any category (go ahead and pick the closest genre on Submittable; we’re used to seeing unusual work). 

We would love to see some graphic novel excerpts or stories, comics, and plays.

Tiny Beautiful Letter Project

Website

Deadline: May 11, 2026 by 7:00 PM (PDT)

SUBMISSION FORM

We invite you to take part in a meaningful, community-wide initiative inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire and our production of it, as part of our Immersive Experience program, which seeks to highlight and explore the key themes of each production.

Through the Tiny Beautiful Letter Project, we are collecting anonymous letters that are raw, vulnerable, and honest, exploring the feelings most people don’t know how to express: grief, death, heartbreak, loss, identity, loneliness, love, and everything in between. Selected letters will be part of a culminating special event, where some may be read aloud to an audience or shared in creative ways.

Submission Guidelines

Stay Anonymous: Do not include personal identifying information; you may sign with a pseudonym or phrase.

Word Count: While there is no strict limit, we encourage letters of at least 500 words.

Be Honest & Thoughtful: Share your truths while being mindful of your words.

Themes We Seek: Grief, loss, resilience, identity, vulnerability, or questions seeking guidance.

Why Participate?
The Tiny Beautiful Letter Project celebrates the beauty and depth of human experience. Your unique contribution will help highlight the small yet powerful connections that sustain us all.

Regardless if you submit or not, we invite you to join us on Saturday, June 6 for the live reading of selected letters and encourage you to also attend a performance of Rabbit Hole and engage with our immersive events.

Together, let’s celebrate the power of storytelling, honesty, and connection.

Together, let’s celebrate the power of storytelling and connection.

EksenaPH Workshop seeks 10-minute & short plays

Instagram Account

Deadline: April 26, 2026 at midnight

SUBMISSION FORM

Eksena PH Workshop, based in the Philippines, seeks “What If” stories. Original works that explore possibilities, alternate paths, and questions that start with “Paano kung…?”

Fresh ideas, unfinished thoughts, and works-in-progress are very welcome.

SCRIPT GUIDELINES

• Length: 10–15 minutes
• Language: Tagalog / English / Regional Language
• *If Regional Language, please include a Tagalog version
• Unfinished / Work-in-Progress scripts are highly encouraged
• Basta never pa na-staged in any form

 WHO CAN JOIN

• Writers without prestigious awards
• First-time writers (no experience needed)
• No age limit
• Maximum of 3 scripts per writer

A Classic Theater seeks full-length plays

Website

Deadline: June 30, 2026

You may submit either by email to act@aclassictheatre.org
or by US Mail to Cindy Alexander, 600 Nautical Way, St. Augustine, Fl 32080

Format should be in MS Word or PDF.

A Classic Theatre in St. Augustine, Florida is seeking submissions for full length new plays for our Staged Reading Series. Plays chosen will be presented in Season 2026-2027 which begins in September, 2026.

We are looking for plays within the following parameters.

Full length, with or without intermission

No longer than 90-105 minutes

No more that 6 characters

No children or teens

Plays will be selected to be performed over the course of the 2026-2027 Season. They will be presented as a Staged Reading, with one performance, and minimal rehearsal. There will be the opportunity for audience feedback.

You may submit any number of plays but it must be a new work that has not been fully produced elsewhere.

You will be notified via email by September 30, 2026. Selected playwrights will receive a stipend of $100 for the performance.

A Classic Theatre is a 501c-3 non profit community theatre. www.aclassictheatre.org For any questions, please email Cindy at calexander@aclassictheatre.org

2026 LSU SciArt New Play Festival

Website

Deadline: June 30, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Louisiana State University (LSU) is proud to announce the return of the SciArts New Play Festival, taking place in the Fall of 2026. Co-sponsored by the LSU College of Science, the LSU School of Theatre, and the LSU Office of Research and Economic Development, this groundbreaking festival will showcase staged readings of new accurate science plays selected from submissions across the nation.

The LSU SciArts New Play Festival is now accepting submissions. We are inviting playwrights to submit their original, unpublished, full-length play that explore the intersections of science and art. Playwrights selected will be flown to Baton Rouge for rehearsals, offering them the opportunity to refine their works in collaboration with experienced theatre professionals. Additionally, playwrights selected will receive a cash reward and recognition of their contribution to the festival. 

• Submissions must be original, unpublished plays, full-length plays (one or two acts accepted)

• Plays should prominently feature accurate science as a thematic element or integral part of the storyline 

• Plays should be submitted as a PDF document

• Ensure the script is formatted according to standard industry guidelines

• Over the course of the summer, a panel of theatre and science faculty will evaluate submissions and select the top three plays for the festival

• Selected playwrights will be notified via email by September 1st 

• Playwrights of the selected plays will be flown to Baton Rouge for workshop rehearsals

• Each selected playwright will receive a cash prize

• The festival will occur at the Music & Dramatic Arts Building on the LSU campus

For inquiries or assistance, please contact Zoe Godfrey-Grinage at zgodfr1@lsu.edu. 

Applications for the 2026-27 PlayGround-NY Writers Pool are being accepted

Website

Deadline: April 30, 2026

– 25 early-career playwrights as well as 3 alternates will be competitively selected from applications to form the Writers Pool.

– Members of the Writers Pool may submit scripts to be considered as part of the Monday Night PlayGround-NY staged reading series. Four times each season, September through March (see tentative schedule below), PlayGround-NY will announce a prompt and Writers Pool members have just four-and-a-half days to generate an original short script (max. 10 pages) inspired by the prompt. The top six scripts each round will be staged publicly with leading local directors and actors. Those not selected may submit their scripts to Recess for cold readings via zoom (see below).

– From the plays staged throughout the season, up to six will be selected for Best of PlayGround-NY (produced in April 2027).

– Writers Pool members can gain peer feedback on their work by participating in Recess cold readings (one week after each Monday Night PlayGround-NY and generally via Zoom) as well as through a staff one-on-one session (available upon request). New this year, Writers Pool Alternates will have full access to Recess.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
– Writers must reside within the five boroughs of New York City
– Writers Pool members must commit to submitting for ALL FOUR Monday Night PlayGround-NY events in a given season (see below for schedule, subject to change). Writers failing to meet the eligibility requirements must sit out the remainder of the season and one additional full season. Alternates are asked to submit each round and may be admitted to the Pool should there be an opening during the season.
– The submission of a script to Monday Night PlayGround-NY grants PlayGround-NY the exclusive option to stage the play as part of the Monday Night PlayGround-NY and, should it be so selected, to present the world premiere as part of Best of PlayGround-NY and non-exclusive option to publish the script in a “Best of PlayGround” anthology.
– Current members of the Writers Pool must reapply in order to be considered for the following season.


WHAT TO SUBMIT
– Playwrights must submit a 10-page max, properly formatted script as PDF attachment. Both previously produced and unproduced scripts are eligible. See below for formatting examples.
– The script must have the playwright’s name, address, email and phone number at the top of the first page and include a detailed cast breakdown, and all pages must be numbered.
– The script title must be labeled by Lastname, Firstname_Title (e.g., Shakespeare, William_The Tempest).
– Excerpts from longer works are not accepted but short plays that meet the above requirements and are derived from a longer work are accepted.
– BIPOC, trans/gender-non-conforming & playwrights with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
– Applications must be received by 11:59pm PT on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

To view sample script formats, click the link(s) below.
Submission Format #1
Submission Format #2

WRITERS POOL ANNOUNCEMENT
– Applicants will be notified of selections on or before August 1, 2026.
– Selected writers must attend a mandatory company meeting on Sunday, August 16 (time tbd).

2026-27 SCHEDULE (subject to change)
MNP1 Topic Announced: September 18, 2026
MNP1 Scripts Due: September 22, 2026
MNP2 Topic Announced: October 30, 2026
MNP2 Scripts Due: November 3, 2026
MNP3 Topic Announced: December 18, 2026
MNP3 Scripts Due: December 22, 2026
MNP4 Topic Announced: January 29, 2027
MNP 4 Scripts Due: February 2, 2027

Page 73 Development Programs 2027

Website

Deadline: April 26, 2026 by 11:59 PM ET

SUBMISSION FORM

The following materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on April 26, 2026 to be considered for the 2027 development programs.

A.  Completed Online Application Form (Below) *NOTE: Please have all your PDF documents ready to upload. The work on this form cannot be saved.

B.  Letter of Intent (700 word limit, uploaded as a PDF)

Please introduce yourself and your writing to us in this Letter of Intent. Your letter must answer the following questions:

1. How would the Page 73 development program(s) that you're applying for help you address your current artistic challenge(s)?

2. How would the Page 73 development program(s) that you're applying for help you address your current professional challenge(s)?

C.  A sample from a full script (uploaded as a PDF). Please include the play's character list and a 10-page excerpt. We are open to receiving samples that do not come from the beginning of your play, however please choose consecutive pages.

D.  The full script from which you selected your 10-page sample (uploaded as a PDF)

E.  Playwriting Resume (uploaded as a PDF). Note: We do not wish to receive a bio in place of or in addition to a resume.

Each year Page 73 meets the talented playwrights we work with through this free application.

Page 73 has two development programs available to early-career playwrights through this application. Playwrights may apply for either or both programs as they see fit and are eligible (see below).

1. The Page 73 Playwriting Fellowship

The Page 73 Playwriting Fellowship provides a year of comprehensive support to one early-career playwright who has not received a professional production in New York City (please see eligibility requirements below). Through this program, Page 73 provides artistic and financial resources to this writer as they develop one or more new plays of their choosing. The Page 73 Playwriting Fellow receives an unrestricted award of $20,000, a development budget of $10,000 managed by Page 73 and the Fellow over the course of the Fellowship year, and at least one workshop culminating in a public reading.

The Fellow is encouraged to think creatively about using Fellowship resources to meet concrete goals that might not otherwise be possible. These goals may include, but are not limited to, development of one or more new plays, assistance in building relationships within the New York City theater community, research, and/or travel. Please note that Page 73 does not commit to producing the work of the Fellow. Page 73 also helps the Fellow identify and connect with collaborators, including directors, designers, actors, and dramaturgs.

The Fellow will actively work with Page 73 for the 2027 calendar year. After selection, the Fellow will collaborate with Page 73’s staff to design a plan for the year and establish a timeline for the development work to be done on the new play or plays.

If the Fellow is not a New York City resident, they must be prepared to travel to New York during the Fellowship year in order to fully engage in the opportunities that the Fellowship provides.

Anyone who wishes to be considered for the 2027 Fellowship must submit this application.

2. The Page 73 Writers Group

The Page 73 Writers Group is a yearlong writers group consisting of seven or eight playwrights. Led by Page 73’s Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director, the Writers Group meets twice monthly on weeknight evenings at our office in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Each playwright receives a $3,000 stipend for participating. Participants take turns bringing in pages for the group to discuss.

The Writers Group begins in January and meetings run through December; sessions are typically suspended for a period in the summer. Please consult the eligibility requirements below. Page 73 selects participants from individuals we meet through this application process as well as from individuals who have become known to the company through other means.

 

Note: While Page 73's staff may, at their discretion, offer a spot in the Writers Group to a playwright who meets the eligibility requirements but has not submitted an application for the program, anyone who wishes to be considered for the 2027 Fellowship must submit this application.

Applicants for both programs:

1. The applicant must be a US resident at the time of participation;

2. The applicant must have completed at least 2 full-length plays or at least 3 one-act plays;

3. The applicant must have made a commitment to playwriting as a professional goal;

4. The applicant must have never received a production in New York City that is fully contracted with Actors Equity Association and ran for at least four weeks or twenty-one performances;

5. The applicant must not be enrolled in a full-time degree/certificate program at the time of participation.

Writers Group applicants: 

Attendance at all Writers Group sessions is extremely important. Please do not apply for the Writers Group if you will be unable to attend meetings in New York City on a regular basis. Priority is given to writers who are not involved in other similarly supported institutional writing groups.

We understand this application occurs well in advance of 2027. If you are not sure about your plans for 2027, you are welcome to apply for the Writers Group and update us regarding your eligibility.

SkyPilot Seeking One-Act Submissions

Website

Deadline: May 20, 2026

 (Fee waived for members of the Dramatist Guild with proof of membership)

Theatre Company Welcomes Submissions for Chosen Theme,

“It’s The Holiday Season”

SkyPilot Theatre Company, a non-profit ensemble company of actors, directors and designers producing provocative, compelling and challenging new works for the Los Angeles theatre-going audience, will once again present a selection of original one-act plays this Winter. Playwrights are invited to submit works based on the theme “It’s The Holiday Season”.

The holiday season is a busy, festive, often emotional time of tradition, family gatherings, and gift giving across many cultures. It can be joyful and nostalgic as well as hectic or stressful. Whether with friends and family or alone, this time of year brings up many emotions both positive and negative. Comedic or Dramatic. Playwrights are asked to submit one-acts based on any December holiday.

• Length – 25 minutes maximum
• 6-8 characters maximum (no children)
• Original, never produced material only, no adaptations
• No musicals 
• Minimal location and set pieces/props 

Submission fee is $10 (Through PayPal or Venmo: SkyPilotSubmissions@gmail.com) (Fee waived for members of the Dramatist Guild with proof of membership)

Once again this year, there will be two awards given out to playwrights. The Audience Award and the Producers Award will include a cash prize of $50 each and will be voted on and awarded to two of the overall plays selected for the festival at the end of the run.

Please submit plays with “One Act Festival” in the subject line to SkyPilotSubmissions@gmail.com by May 20th. In your submission, please include a synopsis, how it fits the theme, and any performance history. For more information on SkyPilot and its upcoming productions, visit www.skypilottheatre.com.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: OUT OF THE BOX – A Celebration of New Plays

Website

Deadline: May 15, 2026

Send submissions and inquiries to: pelliscult@gmail.com

The Empty Head Theater Company is seeking new work for our annual Out of the Box Short Play Festival, taking place: August 28–29 & September 3, 4, 5 at The Ellis – Newburgh, NY

We are looking for original plays 30–40 minutes in length. Selected works will be developed in collaboration with our ensemble through a workshop process leading to full production.

We are specifically seeking plays of a social and political nature, engaging with issues affecting the local community of Newburgh as well as the broader challenges we face globally—think global, act local.

This is an opportunity for playwrights interested in:

• New work development
• Collaborative, ensemble-driven process
• Socially engaged and innovative theater

Passage Theatre Seeks One-Person Plays Centering Untold American Stories for Summer 2026 Festival

Website

Deadline: April 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM

SUBMISSION FORM

Passage Theatre is holding a WORD ON FRONT 250 Solo Performance contest. A “Solo Performance” means a one-person show, written and performed by YOU. Give us your uniquely Trenton American Story. What does it mean to be YOU? What does it mean to be an American, a New Jerseyan, a Trentonian, or from whatever patch of land you call home. Show us your untold America.

Playwright/Performers must be local to travel to Trenton, NJ (a direct train ride from New York City) at their own expense and self-produce their one-person show.

Seeking submissions of one-person shows to run between 30-60 minutes.

The top 5 plays will be selected to premiere at Passage Theatre’s WORD ON FRONT 250 festival on the following dates:

Saturday, June 27th
Thursday, July 2nd
Friday, July 10th

Plays will be adjudicated by a panel of judges selected from Passage Staff and the Trenton Community.Passage Theatre is holding our WORD ON FRONT 250 Solo Performance contest. 

A “Solo Performance” means a one-person show, written and performed by you. Give us your uniquely Trenton American Story. What does it mean to be YOU? What does it mean to be an American, a New Jerseyan, a Trentonian, or from whatever patch of land you call home. Show us your untold America.

The top 5 plays will be selected to premiere at Passage Theatre’s WORD ON FRONT 250 festival on the following dates:

• Saturday, June 27th
• Thursday, July 2nd
• Friday, July 10th

Plays will be adjudicated by a panel of judges selected from Passage Staff and the Trenton Community.

Plays will be adjudicated by a panel of judges selected from Passage Staff and

the Trenton Community.

• All submissions must include a complete fully-finished script. Passage Theatre will NOT make any edits to your script before winners are announced, it must be ready for performance at the time of submission.

• Scripts should adhere to standard playwriting format: 12-point Courier New font, 1-inch margins, and 1.5-inch left margin. Key elements include centered, all-caps Scene Headings, indented and italicized Stage Directions, and centered character names above dialogue. The script is single-spaced with double-spacing between speakers. Here is an example of a properly formatted page.

• Scripts must be 30-70 pages in length. Scripts that are under 30 pages or over 70 pages will be disqualified. Your final performance should be roughly 60 minutes or less.

• Filmed clips of your performance work in addition to your script is strongly preferred.

• The script must be of your own authorship, it is preferred that the performer and author are the same person. If you choose to use a different performer than yourself you are accepting full responsibility and guidance over that performer. If you do not have a performer and are unwilling to perform yourself, your script will be disqualified.

• Passage Theatre will not be responsible for the direction of your script. If a director is needed, you must provide them. Passage Staff may give minor directorial consultation during rehearsals, upon request of the performer.

• Performances selected will occur during late June and early July 2026. Passage Theatre will provide your technical sound and lighting elements. Technical rider must be attached:
• In a separate document explain your TECH: Lights, Sound, Costumes,
• Props, and Set. Passage will facilitate and produce your technical elements to the best of our ability. The author/performer must have these elements designed and guide the creative vision.
• The author/performer must provide props and costumes.
• No firearms of any kind, including props, can be included in these performances.
• Video projection must be limited to 10 minutes or less throughout the entire script.
• Passage Theatre will not be constructing any full scenery pieces beyond the WORD ON FRONT tableau.

Juilliard-trained playwright Lia Romeo offering dramaturgy and script notes

Lia Romeo is a Juilliard-trained playwright offering dramaturgy and script consulting services. 

Her plays have been produced off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally, and developed at the O'Neill, the Lark, La Jolla Playhouse, and elsewhere. She has been teaching playwriting and adaptation at the graduate student level for the past ten years, and has served as an independent script consultant on plays, screenplays, pilots, and essays. She is represented by Paradigm Talent Agency and Gotham Group. Her essays have been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other national publications. She holds a graduate degree from Juilliard and an undergraduate degree from Princeton University.

For a full-length play or screenplay, Lia charges a rate of $300 to read the script, send detailed notes by email, and do a follow-up call or meeting to answer any additional questions. Please check in directly about rates for shorter plays, musicals, and pilots. For more on Lia, visit http://www.liaromeowriter.com or contact her at liaromeo@yahoo.com.

Lib-Lab Productions is seeking absurdist and/or experimental plays

Website

Deadline: May 3, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Lib-Lab Productions is seeking playwright submissions for our upcoming Fall 2026 production. We are looking to fully produce a new absurdist and/or experimental play. The deadline to submit is May 3rd. 

Preference will be given to NYC-based playwrights.

Plays must require a small amount of performers. Plays requiring 2-4 performers are ideal.

Plays must require minimal technical elements.

Plays must be complete (minimal edits are permissible).

We are specifically seeking absurdist and/or experimental plays.

Please format your script as a PDF.

Plays cannot exceed 90 minutes.

If selected, compensation will be provided for your work.

There are no restrictions on eligibility and no fee to submit.

Manhattan Theater Mission Festival of New Musicals

Website

Deadline: May 1, 2026

WHO: Manhattan Theatre Mission

SEEKING: The Manhattan Theatre Mission is accepting submissions for our Festival of New Musicals.

REQUIREMENTS: Submissions must include:

• A Brief Cover Letter from the Playwright/Composer/Lyricist. Your cover letter should introduce yourselves and give us some insight into how your play came about. Please also address specific technical requirements should the play be produced in its entirety.
• A Brief Synopsis of the entire play.
• A 20 minute selection of material from the script. Excerpts may be chronological, or a selection of scenes. At least 2 songs should be submitted in selected material. Please include links or attachments of recordings and/or sheet music. Submissions with lyrics only will not be considered.

Up to 5 shows will be selected for Staged Readings of their submission in New York City. Several Awards will be given to those selected. The First Place Musical will be produced in its entirety by the Manhattan Theatre Mission in its following season.

*All submissions must be unpublished, original works.

WHEN: Submission deadline is May 1st. Those who are admitted into the festival will need to submit the entire script by September 1st for judging.

PAY: N/A

HOW TO APPLY: Please send all materials to: manhattantheatremission@gmail.com, with the subject: New Musical Submission.

RAINY DAY ARTISTIC COLLECTIVE Seeking Scripts for Queer Voices Virtual One Act Festival

Facebook page

Deadline: April 25, 2026 by 11:59 PM

Email a blind copy - no identifying info in document to rainydayrevue@gmail.com

THEME: Short plays written BY AUTHORS WHO IDENTIFY AS QUEER IN ANY WAY. 

Although queer stories, characters, and themes are encouraged, they are not absolutely mandatory 

To be produced digitally and live-streamed the weekend of June 26-28, 2026. 

Actors will be performing from their homes, audiences will be tuning in from their homes. Scripts should be about 8 to 15 minutes long with 2-3 speaking characters. 

Plays can have been produced before, though we welcome and encourage never-before- produced work.

No experience required. No submission fees. Unfortunately we are not able to provide a stipend at this time. This event is free. TO BE CONSIDERED: Email a BLIND COPY (NO IDENTIFYING INFO IN DOCUMENT) to rainydayrevue@gmail.com by no later than 11:59pm on April 25th. Limit 1 play per writer. LATE SUBMISSIONS, OR THOSE THAT DO NOT FOLLOW ALL GUIDELINES, WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS FESTIVAL.

The Voices of Democracy: A Festival for Ten-Minute Monologues

Website

Deadline: April 20, 2026 11:59 PDT

SUBMISSION FORM

In Samuel Beckett's groundbreaking play, Waiting for Godot (1953), Lucky, enslaved by Pozzo, remains silent throughout. But with one exception: when allowed by his master, Lucky utters a long, incoherent monologue that sheds light on his experience with unfreedom. Lucky is no exception in the history of playwriting and theater: Monologues have been used across history to give voice to the unheard and remain one of the most common genres for expressing challenges to free expression.

In the United States, there has been a long tradition of organizing festivals for ten-minute plays that gather actors, directors, and playwrights from across the country each year. This project, funded by the Valuing Open and Inclusive Conversation and Engagement (or VOICE) Initiative of the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, will organize the first festival of this kind in the University of California system.

Three monologues will be selected for staging at UC Irvine in May 2026. Each author will receive a $500 stipend to participate in the in-person event (date to be determined).

The call is open to all, not only members of the University of California community.

Ten-minute monologues can be submitted by April 20th, 2026 (11:59 PST) using the form above.

Guidelines:

1. Length: Length is flexible, but monologues are expected to be suitable for a ten-minute performance.

2. Theme: Monologues should broadly explore the festival's theme, The Voices of Democracy.

3. Formatting: Please follow these formatting guidelines.

4. File: Please submit a .docx or .pdf version of your monologue.

5. Multiple submissions: Each author may only submit one (1) monologue for the contest.

6. Language: Pieces in both English and Spanish will be accepted.

7. Cap: Submissions are capped at 100 monologues. We advise authors to submit their work earlier rather than later.

For any questions, please contact Eraldo Souza dos Santos (eraldo.souzadossantos@uci.edu)

Woodward/Newman Award 2027/28

Website

Deadline: August 31, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

The Woodward/Newman Award is an exclusive honor offered by Constellation Stage & Screen, started through the support of Joanne Woodward, Newman’s Own Foundation, and the Newman family, celebrating Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward’s tremendous history of work on stage and screen. It presents the best unpublished play of the year with a cash prize of $3,000 and a full production as part of Constellation’s Mainstage season.

Please note that there are significant changes to our submission and selection process from previous years. In order to make the Woodward/Newman Award accessible to all, we have eliminated submission fees as well as the contest format. The Woodward/Newman Award will continue to be awarded to an unpublished new play once per year and come with a $3,000 cash prize and a full production. 

Submissions will be accepted and reviewed by our literary team on an ongoing basis, and will be considered for the award as well as for all 7 production slots in our season. So a play that is not selected for the Woodward/Newman slot in our season, may still be considered and selected for production. 

This will allow us to now accept open submissions for all types of plays (including TYA shows). Plays submitted by midnight, August 31st, 2026 will be considered for the 2027-28 season, while plays submitted beyond that date will be considered for the 2028-29 Season. All submissions will be kept on file for 2 years after submission.

If you have questions regarding submissions to the Constellation Stage & Screen, please contact the Literary Manager at literary@seeconstellation.org.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS

We are currently accepting submissions for the 2027-28 Woodward/Newman Award. The award recipient will be announced by May 15, 2027. 

The winner will be awarded $3,000 and a full production.“Full-length” plays should have a complete running time of between 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes) to 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes). TYA shows should have a complete running time of over 40 minutes.

Plays submitted must be unpublished at the time of submission (independently published is acceptable).
Each play should be individually submitted at the following link: CONSTELLATION STAGE & SCREEN PLAY SUBMISSION.

You will be asked to submit your play as an attachment and all other information (bio, history, synopsis, character breakdown) will be entered into a form. Musical submissions may upload demos as an attachment or include a link to a shared folder.

Limit of 2 play submissions per year.

$3,000 cash prize is in lieu of royalties for the full production. Housing & transportation will also be provided.

Any unpublished play submitted to Constellation regardless of method (e.g. online form, agent submission, direct contact) may be considered for the Woodward/Newman Award.

Please note that we are moving away from a “finalists” model in lieu of keeping all plays under consideration for extended periods (2yrs). We will only announce a winner.

If you have any questions, please email literary@seeconstellation.org.

Bicoastal playwright and film script doctor Sarah Congress is offering writing coaching online

Whether you are a producer with a screenplay that needs reworking, a fiction writer in need of inspiration, or a playwright, Sarah is here to help you get your work out there!

Visit Sarah's website to connect with her.

Script Services:

• Help clients get “out of their own way” and fully realize their work and writing potential
• Offer rewrite suggestions 
• Punch up jokes and humor
• Improve confidence 
• Fine-tune material to hook a reader’s interest
• Assist in finding submission and publication opportunities as needed
• Marketing strategy help

Bio

Sarah Congress is a playwright and script doctor with LA representation. Her play "Last Sunrise" was produced by Nylon Fusion for their Gilded Age/Cage Festival at TADA Theatre (June, 2025). "Last Sunrise" was presented with writers John Patrick Shanley, Lyle Kessler, and Migdalia Cruz. Sarah’s play “Delulu” was a semifinalist for Centre Stage's 23rd Annual New Play Festival (1 of 40 plays from 800 submissions). "Delulu" was read at the Episcopal Actors' Guild October 2025 and published by Feels Blind Literary and read at AWP 2026. She co-wrote the screenplay "I Can't Hear You!" which won BEST COMEDY in the 2024 Jersey Shore Film Festival. Her play “Overdose” won 2nd place for BEST SHORT in the 2023 Downtown Urban Arts Festival at Playwrights Horizons.

Teaching Experience

Sarah has taught writing classes for the Hoboken Historical Museum, Project Write Now, The Knowledge Project, RTA and the Hudson Valley Writers Center - as well as private teaching.

Testimonials - many clients feel that working with Sarah is like "therapy"

"I had a breakthrough in my playwriting after working with Sarah. Her coaching made me realize I had the bad habit of undermining the power of my words.. I saw that after she pointed out one line in my play BIG FAT BABY IN HIS MOTHER'S ARMS which I went on to rewrite immediately and submitted for a serious Playwrights Fellowship. Just yesterday I heard from the UCROSS Foundation that I am the Alternate Fellow in the event one of the winners cannot attend in Spring 2025. I am honored to be acknowledged for the Fellowship and thank Sarah for her important coaching. Sarah will have you grow as a playwright/screenwriter in front of her eyes."

~ Tino Juarez, Playwright 

"My biggest takeaway from last night is that anything can be made funny. That really dovetails beautifully with my deep gratitude for a healthy sense of humor, even in the darkest moments…."

~ Gay Norton Edelman, Author/Editor

"Sarah is a wonderful coach and mentor. She is tough and challenging and fun and really pushes me as a writer into places I didn’t know I was able to go. I have learned so much working with Sarah, not just as a writer, but also as a teacher, as I transition from novelist to playwright. I could not give a higher recommendation working with her. But I assure you, if I could, I would."

~ Jon Papernick, Novelist and Assistant Professor at Emerson C

The Democracy Cycle Commission 2026

Website

Deadline: April 28, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

Over a 5-year period, The Democracy Cycle – a collaboration between the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) and Civis Foundation – will commission and develop a total of 25 new performing arts works across the fields of theater, dance, music, opera, and multi-disciplinary performance that express themes related to the nature and practice of democracy, particularly as it is practiced in the United States. This is a national and international open call.

Purpose

• Our hope is that the commissioned projects will enrich and expand discussion of and participation in democracy – be it in the national, state, regional, or hyperlocal community realm – as it is practiced within the United States and worldwide. The Democracy Cycle project is inspired by the following beliefs:Democratic values are a global expression of humanity’s striving to live with one another with respect and in peace.
• Democracy, as practiced in the United States, includes a history of founding exclusions. It has been, and must continue to be, the ongoing work of our society to expand upon the ideals of inclusivity embedded in our founding documents.
• Democracy faces significant perceived and actual threats in the current moment, both domestically and internationally.
• The Intersection of capitalism and democracy creates both opportunities and tensions.
• Artists are the beating heart of democratic values because of their ability to imagine new worlds, envision new possibilities, and provoke meaningful discourse across divides.

The primary focus of The Democracy Cycle will be on democracy as it is currently being practiced in the United States. However, commissioned projects may include references to democracies worldwide provided they have potential for informing and deepening our understanding of American democracy.

The Commission

Each selected artist will receive $60,000 in support, consisting of a commission of $30,000 to create the new work as well as an additional $30,000 in support of the work’s development process (research, readings, workshops etc.).

• May-September 2026: Applications are screened for eligibility by TDC staff. Eligible proposals are reviewed by a minimum of two Readers. Using Readers’ evaluative scores, a list of finalists is developed.
• Fall 2026: A peer panel drawn from the fields of performing arts, and the study and practice of democracy reviews finalists’ proposals and selects 8 projects to receive the 2026 commissions.
• Winter 2027: All 2026 Open Call applicants notified of their project’s status

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible applicants must:Be generative artists who are currently creating new work in theater, dance, music, opera, or multi-disciplinary performance
• Have created, completed, and premiered at least 2 full-length prior works of live performance publicly, as evidenced by their bio, CV and/or work samples (Note: Staged readings and/or workshop showings are not premieres.)
• Propose a new live performance work which may be at any stage of development, but may not be planned to premiere before May 1, 2027. (Remounts of previously completed/premiered works are ineligible.)
• Propose a new live performance work which is planned to be completed in 2027 or 2028.
• Be prepared to manage the income-tax implications of accepting a commission from a U.S.-based arts organization. (U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, this is a national and international open call.)
• Proposals are not eligible ifThe lead artist is enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-granting program. Ph.D. candidates need to have completed their course work by the application deadline to be eligible
• The lead artist is under the age of eighteen
• The main purpose of the project is the curation or documentation of existing work(s)
• The proposed work advocates by name for the success or failure of a current partisan candidate for office or a political party
• The lead artist or any of the main collaborators are employees or immediate family of employees of PAC NYC or Civis Foundation

Selection Criteria

• Readers and panelists will consider the following in selecting the commissioned projects:
• How does the proposed work expand, critique, or celebrate democracy, the practice of democracy, and democratic ideals?
• How has the artist or artists identified and responded to ideas or themes related to democracy, including core democratic principles and values (ex. political equality, majority rule, minority rights, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, among others.)
• Does the work demonstrate clear potential for generating meaningful reflection and discourse on democracy as demonstrated by project narrative, samples of prior work, and artistic history of its collaborators.

SPRING 2026 Online Classes in Writing the Ten-Minute Play with Arianna Rose

Online classes in Writing the Ten-Minute Play are open for enrollment.

"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 April 23 – May 28

2. Mondays, 1:00 – 4:00 pm OR 6:30 – 9:30 pm EDT May 4 – June 15 (no class 5/27)

Tuition: $299 early bird through 4/20 (Thursdays) 4/30 (Mondays); $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

“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

Course Description:

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 37 states and 11 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