2016 New Voices Play Festival

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Greenbrier Valley Theatre (GVT) is pleased to announce that we are now accepting submissions for our 2016 New Voices Play Festival!

This festival is an opportunity for up-and-coming or accomplished playwrights to submit their work which, upon selection, will be produced on the mainstage at GVT, the State Professional Theatre of West Virginia. The performance of these plays is an invaluable tool for playwrights to workshop what’s working in the play and what may need revision. The New Voices Play Festival has become a popular event among our patrons who are eager to enjoy these new works.

Play Submission Guidelines:

-Plays must be 5- to 10-minute one-act plays.

-Playwrights may submit up to two works for consideration.

-Plays must be unpublished and must not have had a full professional production.

-The subject matter of submitted plays is open; however, excessively strong language is discouraged.

Is this your first time submitting? Here's what happens:

A brief rehearsal process (approximately 10 hours/play) takes place in January with an emphasis placed on clarity, not effect—getting the playwright’s words and story out to the audience. The plays are directed by theatre professionals and experienced community directors who cast actors from our local Lewisburg community. These plays are performed together before a panel of theatre professionals and local audience in attendance. Recognition will be given to the playwright of the 1) audience’s choice and 2) artistic panel’s choice. Additionally, the artistic team will also be providing comments for all of the selected plays with their initial reactions and ways to move forward.

Important to note:

It is a challenge for us to cast youth actors during this time of year. The inclusion of youth characters is not forbidden, but be aware that we may not be able to appropriately cast young characters.

It is also difficult to accommodate larger casts for this festival. We recommend including no more than 6 characters.

There will be no financial award for these plays, even if selected to be performed. However, it will be an opportunity for them to be rehearsed, performed, and received by the Artistic Team of GVT and patrons of GVT who are excited to hear new works.

Submissions will not be returned.

To submit your play electronically, please send a PDF of the script along with a submission form (see below) to: newvoicesplayfestival@gvtheatre.org.

To submit your play by mail: Please submit the full script in a three-brad folder or unbound, along with a submission form. Plays may be submitted to this address:


Greenbrier Valley Theatre
c/o Education Department
113 E Washington St.
Lewisburg, WV 24901

Deadline for Submissions: December 2, 2015

The playwrights of the selected plays will be notified of this decision by December 21, 2015.


For more information, contact:

Micah Hein, GVT Teaching Artist
teachingartist@gvtheatre.org
No phone calls, please.