What We Seek
PlayFest (Fall, 2016) is seeking new full-length plays that speak to the human condition in our fascinating and complicated contemporary world. We are interested in plays exploring important, challenging, and crucial social issues that affect our lives today. Topics can range from today’s international headlines to tonight's interpersonal situations in the bedroom. Both comedies and dramas are welcome.
The PlayFest weekend of staged readings is a direct pipeline to our Signature Series, our fully produced mainstage series. We prefer plays that require six or fewer actors but will certainly make exceptions for exceptional work. One-man or one-woman shows are welcome. We seek strong, dynamic, compelling stories told with an original voice and a potent theatricality.
We will select six new works to be presented as readings. Playwrights will receive a stipend, travel, and housing expenses. We will provide directors, actors, stage direction readers, and stage managers. In addition to possible consideration for our Signature Series, some plays may be selected to be fully produced at the University of Central Florida as part of our partnership with UCF.
For Your Play to Qualify
For your script to be read at PlayFest 2016, it must:
1. NOT have received more than two prior professional AEA productions
2. NOT have received a Broadway or Off-Broadway production
3. NOT have received an Orlando production in current form
4. NOT be published for general distribution with the rights held by the Publisher
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES – Please Send Us the Following
At this time we are not accepting full scripts. We want to begin by reading your ten-page submission.
Submissions must include
- Cover letter with your mailing address, email address, and direct phone number
- Bio/résumé
- A one-page synopsis
- A character breakdown (with potential doubling)
- Ten pages of dialogue from the play (ten consecutive pages that you consider your best)
Mail submissions via regular mail to:
Cynthia White
Director of New Play Development
PlayFest 2016
Orlando Shakespeare Festival
812 East Rollins Street
Orlando, FL 32803
Email submissions will not be accepted.
Deadlines and Notification of Receipt of Your Submission
Initial submission deadline for PlayFest 2016 is March 1, 2016.
If you wish to be notified of receipt of your submission, please include a SAS POSTCARD with the name of your play written on it. Otherwise you will only hear from us if we would like to see a full script. Thank you!