Pregones Theater's Asunción Playwrights Project showcases the work of Latino and Latina playwrights exploring issues of difference and transformation at the limits of queer identity. The project fosters fun and genuine dialogue between playwrights, theatermakers, LGBTQ communities, and a general audience. We especially seek works that challenge normative straight/gay binaries. Submissions by women writers are encouraged. Both Spanish and English language manuscripts are welcome.
Finalists commit to a public reading and open discussion. A panel of peers, industry professionals, scholars, critics and previous winners makes the final selection of the year's winning play.
The winner recieves a $500 award and the play is given a professionally cast workshop production at Pregones Theater.
Selection Process
The selection process is made up of two preliminary rounds.
The first round is open to all. A completed application form must be submitted with a 10 page sample of the work.
The second round is by invitation only. Up to eight playwrights from the first round are invited to submit their work in its entirety for final review. The public readings are selected from this group of finalists.
All plays must be original, full length works for the stage that have never been produced and are not currently under option. Plays may be submitted in Spanish or English. Monologues and/or one-person shows will not be considered. Asunción will only consider works of superior artistic rigor that meet two or more of the project's criteria:
- explore issues of difference and transformation at the limits of queer identity;
- challenge normative assumptions of gender;
- present Latino spiritual and sensual explorations beyond the boundaries of gender and essentialist notions of sexual orientation;
- go beyond coming out stories;
- challenge normative notions of family;
- dwell in alterity and encounter;
- place queer expectations of love and sex in a Latino cultural/historical context;
- are significant to the lives of Latino lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer people.
The Asunción Playwrights Project is recognized with a special merit recognition from HOLA Organization of Latin Actors and a feature in Ollantay Theater Magazine.
APPLICATION guidelines:
- Download and complete the Asunción Application Form.
- Create a PDF sample with a brief description of the play and a selectio of NO MORE THAN 10 CONSECUTIVE PAGES from any part of your script. DO NOT SUBMIT A FULL COPY OF THE SCRIPT.
- PDF samples must be word-processed in typeface no smaller than 12 point, and double-spaced. You may submit works in either English or Spanish.
- If you are submitting more than one script, you must complete an application for each work. No more than two entries per writer will be accepted each year.
- Include a copy of your resume with the application.
- Email your completed application, work sample and resume to: jmerced@pregones.org
- All applications must be submitted only by the playwright. No agents or representatives.
Don't forget to complete the Online Application Form.