We never post opportunities that require a submission fee. LEARN MORE.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

The Big Break seeking short plays

web site

We are curating a festival of eight short one act plays and we will leave submissions open until we find those stellar plays that blow us away.

If your play is picked it will be directed by a SAG professional and star the Big Break's repertory of actors.

Seeking Ten-Minute Stage Plays – or Short Film Scripts that can be staged as Plays – for unscripted competition Web-Series about producing the plays themselves.

We’re searching for one-act plays (10-12 pages/10-15 minutes in length) with 1-4 characters to be taped in three-camera TV style.

All genres accepted – holiday elements a plus.
All writers welcome: WGA or non-WGA, Equity or non-Equity.
In the submission form please make sure to fill out all fields, even if it's with a 0 or a NA.
We will request a logline,

When you click on submit you will be asked to provide a logline, never fear, we just want to know what your script is about.

Be sure to follow our Instagram @thebigbreakoc for news and announcements!

Click the link HERE to submit your Play!

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Pumphouse Players seek short scripts - Family Frenzy

 web site

Deadline: October 6, 2020

Theme: Family Frenzy

Submit via online form

We know that families and holidays look different to everyone, and we’re interested to showcase that in our upcoming collection. We’re accepting short Zoom/online/recording-friendly plays about family of all kinds for our November short play festival event.

Pumphouse Players is now accepting short plays for Fall 2020 online events! Though our physical theatre is dark, we have an ongoing commitment to providing artistic opportunities and creative outlets to our community members and supporting various creative endeavors.

We’ve been encouraged by the amount of support that we’ve received and the number of people we’ve been able to connect with over the last few months and we’re excited to keep up the momentum!

HOW IT WORKS

Playwrights (of all experience levels!) can submit one or two Zoom-friendly short plays for consideration for one or more of our events. It’s easy! Just use the submission form on this page. After the deadline, our team will review the submissions and notify those accepted. Once selected, our team will seek directors and cast members who will rehearse and record your short play. The shorts will be presented in a festival event (1 to 3 airing dates) in collaboration with Pumphouse Players and The In-House Writers. Each playwright and performer will be granted one free access code to the online event(s) for themselves or a guest to enjoy the collection!

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Plays must be between 5 to 15 minutes in length.

Plays must in English.

Plays must be Zoom/recording friendly.

Playwrights may only submit 1-2 plays per event.

Playwrights must indicate kid/family-friendly or adult/mature audience on their submission. An adult/mature designation will not prevent plays from being accepted.

We do not require a special format. Please use best judgment in ensuring your piece is recognizable as a script.

THE FINE PRINT

There is no entry fee or participant fee.

There is no stipend or compensation for any playwright, participant, or organizer. Pumphouse Players is a 100% volunteer-run and volunteer-led community organization.

Entry to our online events will be by donation. All donations gathered are to support Pumphouse Players, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Playwrights who are selected will be asked to grant us permission to record and “air” or “stream” a recording of their play up to 3 times in closed events. The recording process is purely to offset the potential for technical issues. No copies of the recording shall be published.

Playwrights maintain all rights to their plays.

Monday, September 28, 2020

6 week playwriting intensive for women+ writers

Less than 18% of all plays produced in the US are written by women. Without the vision of women playwrights the theatre is like a play without a second act. This is the impetus behind the Playwriting Intensive for Women. Award winning playwright and Guerrilla Girl, Donna Kaz aka Aphra Behn, leads this 6 week intensive where just 6 to 8 intergenerational women+ writers will meet weekly to write and rewrite new plays (from 10 minutes to full length). Writers will submit new work or rewrites every other week, receive feedback and participate in class discussions using the Liz Lerman Critical Response Process. 

Now is the time to put pen to paper or brush off that final draft document of a stage play. Something stops you from finishing your work and submitting it. You are a bit fearful of your writing because there is a certain power in it. Yep, you possess power in a patriarchal world and that’s, well, that’s revolutionary. This intensive is for you – women, transwomen, and all who identify as women some of the time – who write for the stage but for whatever reason have put those pages to the side. It is time to step it up. We are in the middle of a pandemic and there’s an election coming up. Is the current state of women making you sad, angry and/or depressed? Then write a play about it. 

The intensive takes place via ZOOM for 6 weeks beginning October 8th. You will receive weekly critiques of each play submission from Kaz and the rest of the cohort. 


APPLY HERE: https://kazconference.submittable.com/submit/5cfd3584-405a-4923-8116-37124d5de40f/playwriting-intensive-for-women-october-november


Garage Theatre Ensemble seeks work

web site

Deadline: October 1, 2020

COLLABORATE
We will pair you up with an extraordinary emerging director and actors who will help you bring the words on your pages to life. 
Over the course of this week-long intensive program, you will have multiple opportunities to work with your team, make edits, add pages, etc. before your final reading at the end of the week.
PRESENT
After workshopping your piece throughout the week, you will have the time to present a final reading over Zoom to the company and a panel of industry professionals. 
Share your story!
 
GROW
At the end of your reading, there will be time for you to receive feedback on the play from the company and professionals who tune in. 
Be confident in your artistic voice and the stories you want to share with the world. We can't wait for you to come showcase your talent and grow with us!
 
If you are interested in submitting, please send the following information to garagetheatreensemble@gmail.com:
  • Your Name
  • Contact Information
  • Play File (PDF)


Once you have sent your email, you will receive more details about the program dates and requirements.

*plays of any length and style are accepted!

Sunday, September 27, 2020

FOREWORD: A New Works Series

web site

Deadline: September 30, 2020

Prologue Theatre is launching FOREWORD: A New Works Series. We will be selecting 5 new works to be workshopped via Zoom from November 2020-March 2021. All necessary info is listed below.

PROLOGUE THEATRE’S MISSION: “Prologue Theatre understands that it can be difficult, at times, to begin conversations about “certain topics” and focuses on presenting theatre that can serve as that starting point. Through theatrical performance, coupled with community discussion, we strive to challenge our community to examine and discuss their views of the world and those around them. Our focus is on those who are in the process of finding their own voice - whether 15 or 115 years old – and are looking for a place where they can hone those viewpoints by examining world issues within (and with) their community.”

BIPOC AND/OR LGBTQIA+ PLAYWRIGHTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

PROLOGUE THEATRE IS COMMITTED TO A MINIMUM OF 50% BIPOC ARTISTS IN ALL CASTING.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

-Selected works will be workshopped Monday-Friday for 2 weeks.
-Selected playwrights will receive a payment of $500/week.-Selected works will have one closed reading at the end of week 1 for Prologue’s staff, and a public reading at the end of week 2 for a virtual audience.

PLAY REQUIREMENTS:
-Scripts must be original works.
-Must be at least 50 pages long.
-No musicals.
-Must be able to be read with a maximum of 6 actors.
-Must be able to be cast with a minimum of 50% BIPOC artists.
-Must fit Prologue Theatre’s mission.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
-PDF copy of script.
-A synopsis of your play.
-A cover letter telling us a little bit about yourself and why you think your play fits Prologue’s mission.

Send submissions to Submissions@PrologueTheatre.org by Wednesday, September 30th.

If you have any questions, please email us at Info@PrologueTheatre.org

Prism Stage Company seeks playwrights over 40

web site

Deadline: September 30, 2020
NYC

Continuing our aim to develop and produce new and overlooked plays by exciting playwrights over 40, Prism Stage Company is currently seeking submissions for our ongoing Play Development Lab and future programming.

Playwrights who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color over 40) are highly encouraged to submit.

Due to COVID 19, we encourage submissions at this time to be “Zoom/Vimeo/YouTube friendly” as these are currently our performance platforms until live theatre resumes. Therefore, one-person shows, monologue collections, and material with small casts are preferred!


You will be requested to upload your photo, resume, submission, and to answer a series of questions that help us match our priorities to yours. Thank you for your time!


REQUIREMENTS

Playwrights must be over 40.

SUBMISSION LENGTH

A short scene from a finished play, no longer than 20 pages.

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Your photo, resume, & submission, through this Google Form.

The deadline for submission is September 30, 2020. We plan to take the month of October to read, review, and plan ~ and then will reach out to inform you of our consensus by October 30th.
We recognize the incredible trust you place in our hands when you share your materials, and very much respect and honor your privacy, ownership, and wellbeing. 

Do you have a direct request? We welcome your contact at: prismstagecompany@gmail.com.
WHY? Talent Has No Expiration Date. #prismstagecompany

Saturday, September 26, 2020

15th Women's Work Festival - Submission Form

web site

Deadline:  October 12th, 2020 11:59pm

St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador

Welcome to the submission form for the 15th Women's Work Festival, which will take place March 8-12, 2021. Women includes trans and non-binary identities.

We are open for submissions until 11:59pm on October 12th, 2020. 

Please fill out the following form, upload your piece and we will be happy to get to know about you and your work.

LINK TO SUBMISSION FORM
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfXtAYt_rAGK81P7kfQcKcDwe6ABUXlQn1wBfs3huYeH07XA/viewform

If you have any questions, please refer to our FAQ's below or send us an email at womensworkfestivalnl@gmail.com.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does the festival cover my travel?

Unfortunately, we do not. We explore as many options as we can and work with each playwright on an individual basis to try and offer as much as we can. In past festivals we have been able to offer per diems for the duration of your stay with us, but we often aren't able to definitively say yes or no until a couple months out from each festival.

Will the festival consider more than one piece I've written?

Due to the overwhelming amount of submissions we've received in recent years we are limiting our submissions to one piece per playwright this year, so pick your best one and we will be happy to read it!

Will the festival be in person this year or online?

Obviously our preference is to have a festival in person where we can all be in a room and focus on the work together, however, given the uncertainty we all find ourselves in due to COVID 19 we have to do what we believe is safest for all artists involved and we will make our decision with regard to this matter at a later date. When we do, the artists involved will be the first to know!

Please Note: Due to our geographic location we are not always able to provide experienced readers of every scripted demographic, if this is the case with a selected play we will work with the playwright to reach the possible casting outcome most desirable to the playwright.

Does the festival accept short plays?

We accept all lengths of play for consideration.

Does the festival accept produced plays?

Although we are willing to consider plays that have had workshop productions as a part of the script-writing process, the Women's Work Festival is focused on the development of unproduced works.

Friday, September 25, 2020

October Online Classes at Primary Stages ESPA!

 It’s not too late to dive into your play this Fall! October online classes at Primary Stages ESPA are open for enrollment! Whether you’re looking to gain the fundamentals of playwriting, start a first draft, or rewrite a play you’ve been working on, we have the class for you. Plus, we’ve added a NEW MORNING SESSION of First Draft with Winter Miller!


with Nikkole Salter (Writer, Pulitzer Prize-Nominated In the Continuum; Actor, The Great Society on Broadway)
Build a toolbox of the fundamentals, so your first play (and each play you write after that!) can be built on a strong foundation.
Thursdays from 6:00pm – 9:00pm ET
Starts October 1

This class will guide you through the development of your first draft, providing concrete deadlines, constructive feedback, and a collaborative environment to get your ideas on the page.
with Adam Kraar (Writer, Wild Terrain at EST)
Tuesdays from 6:30pm – 9:30pm ET
Starts October 6

NEW SECTION ADDED! with Winter Miller (Writer, In Darfur at The Public Theater, No One Is Forgotten at Rattlestick)
Wednesdays from 10:00am – 1:00pm ET
Starts October 7

with Suzanne Bradbeer (Writer, Confederates (Kilroys Honorable Mention)
As soon as you finish your last line of dialogue, the need for rewrites begins. This class will help you tackle the revision process and develop a stronger version of your play.
Instructors: 
Sundays from 3:00pm – 6:00pm ET
Starts October 4

Start and end dates vary. Click here for the full list of writing classes.

Our award-winning faculty, comprised of working professionals in the field, provides practical skills and expert guidance in a collaborative community atmosphere. 

Primary Stages ESPA provides students easy and convenient payment plans to break up tuition. For more information, call 212.840.9705 x215 or email espa@primarystages.org.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

CRANFORD CREATIONS One Act Play Festival

web site

Deadline: October 3, 2020

CALLING ALL PLAYWRIGHTS! SUBMISSIONS WANTED for a brand new one act play Festival in New Jersey.

Play submissions are free. 

Please submit your plays today to: cdccranfordcreations@gmail.com

All play entries are due Oct. 3, 2020.

Plays must be between 10 – 20 minutes in length and should be formatted in standard Courier 12pt. font. The festival producers reserve the right to request that playwrights make alterations to the script as necessary for the purposes of length. CDC Theatre is committed to the idea of presenting a play festival that allows for a variety of voices from our community to be heard. All playwrights are welcome to submit. Minority and LGBTQ+ playwright submissions are strongly encouraged.

Link with all information.
http://www.cdctheatre.org/one-act-play-festival.html

Monday, September 21, 2020

SAUK SHORTS 2021 seeks 10-minute plays

web site

Deadline: October 2, 2020

The Sauk is seeking short play scripts to consider for production as part of SAUK SHORTS 2021. Scripts may be original works or published works that you would like us to consider. Scripts should have a performance time no longer than 15 minutes. The deadline to submit is 5 p.m. on Friday, October 2. Scripts should be e-mailed to saukshorts@gmail.com.

SAUK SHORTS is an annual evening of 10-minute plays. Each year, we produce a combination of popular published works and original un-produced pieces. We try to balance a combination of local and national playwrights. There is no fee for submitting scripts. Scripts that are not selected for production in 2021 may be kept on file for consideration in future years.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Green Buffalo Productions' own 48-hour writing challenge

web site

We don't want to stop working during COVID-19, so we decided to keep WNY theatre going from the safety of our own homes! The Quarantine Quarters is an ongoing 48-hour writing challenge that is open to anyone who is looking to stay creative and occupied during this difficult time.

Each writing challenge requires the playwright to follow a specific prompt and must be written within 48 hours. The winning play will be showcased in a LIVE READING that streams from our Facebook page. Live streams are typically on Fridays at 6 pm. Follow us to get our "Going Live" notification! You can also listen to our past Quarantine Quarters Live Readings.

​SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  • Email us at greenbuffaloproductions@gmail.com
  • All plays must be 10 - 15 pages long
  • Submit in PDF format 
  • Submit a playwright bio and photo 
  • Include character descriptions and a synopsis
  • Submit your play on time to be considered for the live reading
  • All works must be completely original. Feel free to collaborate with others, but be sure to submit original work.
  • There's no limit to how many works you can submit.

Cape Cod Theatre Project 2021

web site

Deadline: September 30, 2020

Applications for the 2021 Season will be accepted September 1 – September 30, 2020.

Playwrights may send one play per season for consideration. The proposed play must still be in development and cannot have received a professional production, or a production that has been reviewed, prior to August 2020.

To apply, please email a PDF of the script to capecodlit@gmail.com.

Please label the document using your first and last name as well as the play’s title. For example: janesmithplaytitle.pdf

In addition, please include in your email a short biography and a brief artistic statement on how you propose to use your development time at CCTP. The bio and statement of intentions should be included in the body of the email.

As we rely on the kindness of our donors for housing, we usually limit our cast sizes to no more than six actors, though there have been exceptions.

As of November 1, 2011, we no longer review hard copies of scripts sent by mail.

The CCTP staff does not provide feedback on any submitted materials.

We look forward to reading your work.

Saturday, September 19, 2020

So Queer Playwrights Festival

web site

Deadline: October 9, 2020 at 11:59 PM
Richmond VA



The So Queer Playwrights Festival is a competitive, biennial festival of LGBTQ+ works which will lead to the selection of one work by a playwright — a work that RTP will develop further in close collaboration with the chosen playwright. The festival brings RTP to the forefront in the region to inspire and develop new LGBTQ+ musical and non-musical works.

Richmond Triangle Players mission is to change the community’s conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion through the production of LGBTQ-themed works. A nonprofit, professional theatre company organized in 1993, RTP delivers adventurous and entertaining theater as the leading voice in the community’s explorations of equality, identity, affection and family, across sexual orientation and gender spectrums.

As RTP begins the submission process to find a playwright to develop a musical and/or non-musical full-length work, we are strictly looking for material that falls into our stated mission. For purposes of the Festival, preference will be given to southern playwrights and themes.

Richmond Triangle Players is looking for musical and non-musical full-length works that average a runtime of 60 to 120 minutes with no more than 7 performers featured. While we produce a variety of styles and genres, please keep in mind our spatial restrictions: our stage is 28’ by 20’ without wings or fly space.

We remain open to a large spectrum of musical and non-musical works for the submission process and appreciate everything from avant-garde to traditional approaches that a playwright might take. We are ultimately looking for a voice rather than a perfect script.

Submissions are limited to one work per playwright; we will not consider resubmissions.

Plays/Musicals must be unpublished and unproduced at the time of submission. This does not include workshops, staged readings, or developmental productions. All entries must be withheld from production during the period of the competition, reserving the premiere production for Richmond Triangle Players at a later date.

A PDF submission packet must include the following items, in this order:
Page 1: Title page with author name and contact information
Page 2: One-page Cover Letter that discusses your artistic point of view, and detailing why your play fits with the mission of Richmond Triangle Players
Page 3: One page, including a synopsis of your play, and a character breakdown.
Page 4: One-page biography of the playwright
Page 5+: 10 to 15-page excerpt from your script

If submitting a musical, please include an URL link on page 3 of your PDF packet that directs us to the audio files on a separate website.

The deadline for submissions is October 9, 2020 at 11:59 pm. All completed submissions will be sent a receipt upon arrival. Due to the amount of submissions, we will not be able to respond to all entries with feedback. However, all entries will be read by a committee and evaluated. Please do not call or email a follow up message in regards to the status of your script. RTP does not accept hard-copy script submissions. Any submissions sent via mail will not be eligible, acknowledged, or returned.

Five finalists will be notified on November 6th and announced publicly on November 12th, 2020. Finalists will then be asked to present a 45-minute excerpt of the play on January 8th and 9th, 2021. One finalist will be picked to start the yearlong development process with the promise of a mainstage spot once the playwright and organization believe that the work is ready.

Friday, September 18, 2020

Applications are open for GTG’s 2020-2021 Speakers’ Corner Writers’ Group

web site

Deadline: September 30, 2020


Full-length sample play wanted

This season, Speakers’ Corner will meet remotely from late October, 2020 through June, 2021.

Member writers read and discuss a specific play by George Bernard Shaw before responding to Shaw’s work through targeted writing prompts. 

The writers’ new works needn’t be commentaries on Shaw or adaptations of Shaw’s work, but original works inspired by the ideas sparked by reading and discussing the initial Shaw play as a cohort. 

Speakers’ Corner writers then spend the remainder of the year developing these ideas into plays to be developed through readings and workshop labs. At monthly and bi-monthly meetings, writers share their work and receive constructive feedback from one another and from members of GTG’s artistic staff. 

The goal, ultimately, is to create play that will be fully produced as part of the GTG future seasons.

For more about Speakers' Corner and to apply, visit https://gingoldgroup.org/speakers-corner-new-works/

Named after the corner of London’s Hyde Park where Shaw and other political speakers have delivered speeches since 1855, GTG’s Speakers’ Corner brings together six to ten writers who spend the year exploring a specific Shaw play and writing new work in response to that text.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

FutureFest 2021

web site

Deadline: October 31, 2020

Dayton Ohio

FutureFest Submissions

Festival dates: July 16 – 18, 2021

FEE
$20 submission fee. This fee will be waived for members of the Dramatists Guild. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Dayton Playhouse”.

Fees may be paid online by following this link to our online payment system.

ELIGIBILITY
Entry must be an original work (NO musicals or plays for children) that has not been published or produced where admission was charged prior to FutureFest 2021. Staged readings/workshop productions are not necessarily disqualifying factors.

TENTATIVE DEADLINES
Submissions will be accepted August 14 through October 31, 2020 (postmark or electronic submission).

SCRIPTS

Electronic submissions (PDF format) are preferred, but not required.

Submit a blind copy (no name/contact info) of your script, in standard play format with pages numbered. After the title page include a brief synopsis, character breakdown, setting, and scene breakdown, if applicable. Your script(s) should be accompanied by a cover letter, including playwright contact information (address, phone #, e-mail address) and resume. If applicable, also submit a photocopy of your Dramatists Guild membership card.

Please note that entries that do not comply with our guidelines will be disqualified. Scripts may be submitted electronically or via Media Mail. Eliminated scripts will not be returned. Script evaluations will not be provided.

CONSENT
Playwright gives the Dayton Playhouse permission to photocopy scripts for reading/production purposes.

Should your script be selected and produced as one of the six finalists, you must be available to attend the weekend festival (July 16-18, 2021) and participate in all events. Finalists must acknowledge the Dayton Playhouse when script is published. The winning playwright awards the Dayton Playhouse the option to produce the winning play as part of its main stage season royalty free.

AWARDS
A $1000 honorarium will be awarded to the winning playwright; runners-up each receive $100. The Dayton Playhouse provides the six finalists travel (within the continental U.S.) to Dayton and housing for FutureFest weekend.

SELECTION PROCESS
Each entry is guaranteed a minimum of three reads. The original play reading committee, following many months of discussion and voting, narrows down the entries to 15 – 18, which are then read by the entire committee before they select the 12 semi-finalists. A second committee selects the six finalists. During FutureFest weekend, the plays are staged and publicly adjudicated by a panel of five theatre professionals (New York based and regional). Following the final production of the weekend, the adjudicators vote and select the winner.

FINALISTS
Finalists will be posted on the Dayton Playhouse website (www.daytonplayhouse.com) by May 2021.

SUBMIT TO
futurefest@thedaytonplayhouse.com or Dayton Playhouse FutureFest, P.O. Box 3017, Dayton, OH 45401-3017.

QUESTIONS
Contact Fran Pesch, FutureFest Program Director, at 937-424-8477, or email futurefest@thedaytonplayhouse.com

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Jonathan Larson Grant 2021

web site

Deadline: September 24, 2020 11:59 PM EDT
Application Guidelines 2021

The 2021 Jonathan Larson Grants application will close on Thursday, September 24th 2020 at 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). 

Click here to apply

General Criteria

The Jonathan Larson Grants are intended to honor and recognize emerging musical theatre artists. Composers, lyricists, and librettists who work in musical theatre are the focus of the grants. ATW is committed to serving artists who are creating new, fully producible works for the theatre, and advancing the art form. The grants do not honor a specific piece or project.
Grant awards are based on merit, and are intended for those artists with a demonstrated commitment and dedication to a career in musical theatre. Further, the grants are not intended to be scholarships, and artists applying for grants should be working professionally in the field.
Applications are accepted in the following areas:
Individuals may apply as lyricists, composers, librettists, or any combination of the three.
Collaborative teams may apply together as composer, lyricist, and/or librettist, or any combination of the three.

Collaborators who work together regularly are strongly encouraged to apply as a team.If your collaborative team has more than three individuals, please contact the ATW offices.

United States citizenship is not a requirement to receive the grant, but you must be eligible to work in the U.S. and reside/work here on at least a part-time basis and submitted work should be predominately in English.

Artists may apply only once per grant cycle. You may not apply as part of a team and as an individual applicant.

Prior Jonathan Larson Grant Recipients are not eligible.

(Applications that do not adhere to these general criteria will not be considered)
  • Required Materials–Applicants must submit the following through our online portal to be considered:
  • General Information
  • Artistic Statement—on the form provided, describe your achievements and goals for your career as a creative artist or collaborative team (one per application). Please do not make specific monetary requests as part of the application.
  • Creative Curriculum Vitae—productions/workshops/readings, educational history, and including list of awards (one for each applicant or each member of a team, please submit multiple CVs in one, combined .pdf or .doc file).
  • Work Sample List—(please see below for further information)
  • Applicants may provide a letter of support/recommendation from theatre artists or educators, although this is component is not mandatory to submit an application.

WORK SAMPLE LIST

Applicants are also required to submit a comprehensive Work Sample List; a list of all the song and libretto selections with authorship information. Work samples are only required in accordance with your application focus.

For instance, if you are applying as a composer only, please only submit music, and dramatic context for the song. Do not submit a book or lyrics for adjudication. The same would be true if you were applying as a lyricist or book writer, only submit samples for the area or areas for which you wish to be considered.

Once you have completed the Work Sample list, you will have the opportunity to upload your material.

Notes on uploading work samples:
Audio Files/Song Selections—upload selected songs (accepted formats include MP3, MP4, WMA, WAV, ACC (M4A) and FLAC). Select individual tracks and pieces that reflect your best work.
Dramatic Context/ Lyric Sheets—describe the dramatic context and provide the lyrics for each song selection
Libretto—Please submit one-act only of a musical book (or if your work does not have a traditional act-break, an excerpt of 60 pages or less). .pdf format is preferred. You may start your libretto with a 1-page synopsis of the show in its entirety.

On Selecting Work Samples:

Regardless, if you work creatively in all three disciplines (music, lyrics, and book) or you are applying as a collaborative team, you should submit combined work samples that represent the full range of your work. For example, Jonathan Larson might have submitted one application that included three song selections from Rent, two song selections from Tick, Tick…Boom!, and the book of Act II from Rent. Please do not submit a recording of an entire act or production. Select individual tracks and pieces that reflect your best work.

The Jonathan Larson Grants are intended to honor and recognize emerging musical theatre writers. We are aware that artists work in multiple disciplines; and while it is not necessary that you only work in musical theatre, selections of representative work submitted for the grant must be for musical theatre. Applications submitting oratorios, operas, symphonic scores, or film scores will not be considered.

Adapted Works: Should you choose to submit selections from work which is adapted from an existing work, you must provide proof of rights for that adaptation as part of your application.

New Human Horizons Virtual Ten-Minute Play Reading Festival

web site

DEADLINE: September 25, 2020 - 5pm PST

Human beings are magical. Bios and Logos. Words made flesh, muscle and bone animated by hope and desire, belief materialized in deeds, deeds which crystallize our actualities. . . . And the maps of spring always have to be redrawn again, in undared forms.

–Sylvia Wynter, “The Pope Must Have Been Drunk, The King of Castile a Madman.”

The University of Puget Sound’s Department of Theatre Arts is soliciting new 10-minute plays for the New Human Horizons Virtual Ten-Minute Play Reading Festival.

Plays open to all playwrights and any style of play; however, no musicals. We are seeking plays that engage in conversation with Sylvia Wynter’s notion of the Human as both bios and logos, magical, words made flesh. We are interested in plays that re-imagine and re-present new ways of being, living, caring, and loving in the world.

Plays can incorporate the themes of the quote in a variety of ways, for example,

· The relationship between Human beings and language, mythology;

· Representation of the Human and the body and/or flesh;

· New forms of Human interaction;

· Loving and caring beyond modern concepts of Human relationships;

· Connections between Humans and animals, Humans and the environment;

· Intersection between Human life, mortality, and immortal deities;

· Human and hybridity, cyborgs, pre/post-human;

· New imaginings and representations on what it means to be (or not to be) Human;

· Life and living on the margins of the Human as construct.

Plays will be read and evaluated by undergraduate students in the Theatrical Experience classes at University of Puget Sound. This is an exciting opportunity for students, playwrights, and community members to engage and encounter new theatrical works.

Six plays will be selected for the virtual reading festival on December 2nd and 3rd. Selected plays will be announced early November 2020. Playwrights maintain full rights to their material.

Selected playwrights will receive a $150 honorarium.
Submission Guidelines:

· Plays must be unpublished and un-produced;

· written primarily in English;

· incorporate the concept of the Human in some form;

· be no more than ten pages in length;

· not be a musical.

*We prefer plays with 2-6 characters of diverse race, age, gender, and ethnicity.

Submission Process:

· Script should be in standard script format (see: http://www.caryplaywrightsforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/CPF_play_formatting-1.pdf;

· Include page numbers;

· Along with the submission, please submit a separate title page with title of the play and playwright’s contact information (name, email, phone number, and address).

· No personal information should appear anywhere else in the script.

· Accepting digital submissions only. Submit PDF copy to upsplaysubmission@gmail.com

Sunday, September 13, 2020

The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers Fellowship

web site

Application Deadline: September 25, 2020, 5 p.m. EDT

Notification: March 2021
Award Period: September 7, 2021–May 27, 2022
Stipend: $75,000

The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers supports projects that draw on the research collections at The New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (formerly the Humanities and Social Sciences Library). The Center looks for top-quality writing from academics as well as from creative writers and independent scholars. Visual artists whose projects require extensive use of Library collections are also encouraged to apply. The Center aims to promote dynamic conversation about the humanities, social sciences, and scholarship at the highest level—within the Center, in public forums throughout the Library, and in the Fellows' published work.

Successful candidates for this Fellowship will need to work primarily at the Schwarzman Building rather than at other divisions of the Library. Applications from those working in languages other than English are welcome; however, the applicant must be conversant in English, and the application materials must be in English.

In order to avoid real or apparent conflicts of interest, the Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers does not accept applications from New York Public Library staff members or their partners, or from people active on the Library’s Board of Trustees, Board Advisory Committees, or Library Council.

Please visit www.nypl.org/research-collections for detailed information about the collections of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.

Fellows are required to work at the Cullman Center for the duration of the Fellowship term and may not accept other major professional obligations during the term. Some Fellows may have a few prior commitments but must limit research trips, attendance at scholarly meetings, and speaking engagements to short periods of time. Anyone who needs to be away for more than two days must notify the Center's Director or Deputy Director. The Library will pro-rate stipends for Fellows who spend too much time away from the Center. Fellowships will not be granted for academic projects to post-doctoral fellows or to applicants doing graduate-school dissertation research.

The Cullman Center will not accept dossier letters in place of new letters of recommendation.Completed applications and supporting materials—research proposal, Curriculum Vitae, letters of recommendation, and creative writing sample or art work sample—must be submitted by 5 p.m. EDT on September 25, 2020.

Adirondack Theatre Festival

web site

Deadline: October 1 2020
Glen Falls, NY

ATF produces new scripts of the highest caliber throughout each season. To help fulfill this mission, we welcome the opportunity to read submissions from skilled playwrights who feel their work would be a good fit at the Adirondack Theatre Festival.

**Please note our new policy. Submissions are now accepted from Aug. 15-Oct. 1 only. This new policy is to help us manage the large volume of submissions we receive and ensure that your play is heavily considered during the fall season selection period.

If you are interested in submitting your play to be considered for future seasons at ATF, please send the following via email to Literary@ATFestival.org:
  • Full PDF version of the script (Word also accepted)
  • Brief (3-5 sentence) synopsis of the play
  • Production history—including any readings, workshop or full productions the play has received thus far
  • Professional playwright resume or bio
Please note: all submissions MUST be sent electronically. Unpublished full-length plays and musicals only. Plays submitted via email can be sent either by the playwright or by a literary agent on the playwright’s behalf. Due to the high volume of inquiries we receive, please allow a few weeks for a response acknowledging receipt of your script. ATF does not provide dramaturgical feedback.

Rise Against Fanaticism Through the Arts Scriptwriting Award

web site

Deadline: November 1, 2020
London, UK

Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain received several posthumous awards for his bravery against violent extremism on July 1st 2016 at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka. As a 20 year old Muslim man, he had the chance to leave the café, but he chose to remain behind with his friends.

How can we honour his memory without exposing ourselves to harm and persecution? How can we begin to tackle the rise of fanaticism around us?

With the theatre production, TERROR, in November 2019, Sohaya Visions and Mukul & Ghetto Tigers have launched a new scriptwriting competition, RAFTA (Rise Against Fanaticism Through the Arts).

We invite the submission of scripts that address fanaticism, extremism, and xenophobia across the spectrum – whether it be Islamism or white nationalism.

The script must be an original piece of work that promotes tolerance and understanding in imaginative ways.

The winner will be awarded £1,000 to develop the work with Sohaya Visions and Mukul & Ghetto Tigers to performance stage. 2 runner-up scripts will be selected for a reading with professional actors in London.


Deadline for script submissions is 1st November 2020.

Send submissions to both

Sohaya Visions sohayavisions@gmail.com

and Mukul & Ghetto Tigers mukul_tiger@yahoo.com with a short covering letter about yourself.
The script should be sent to both Sohaya Vision at sohayavisions@gmail.com and Mukul & Ghetto Tigers at mukul_tiger@yahoo.com by the stated deadline. It should come with a short covering letter on yourself, why you wrote the script, and why it is suitable for RAFTA.

The script must be an original piece of work and not submitted anywhere else for development or production.

Submissions must be by those aged over 18.

The script can be in any style on any historical or regional context so long as it addresses RAFTA aims to tackle extremism, intolerance and/or xenophobia. It must be a minimum length of 25 pages.

Winners who accept the award must agree to work with the production team and commit occasional days at mutually agreed times for script development. Rehearsals will be held at a venue in London.

All submitted scripts will be held in the strictest confidence and winners notified by email. The winner will be paid in two instalments after contracted to develop the work with Sohaya Visions and Mukul & Ghetto Tigers.

Saturday, September 12, 2020

Rose Theatre Co. seeks monologues

web site

The Rose Theatre Co., a DC-based professional organization, is seeking short comedic monologues for the creation of a curated digital film series titled IN CHARACTER. Selected monologues will be produced and released by The Rose for use across digital platforms, including Instagram and You Tube. Writers may make multiple submissions. This is an open-ended project. Writers will retain all rights to their words. The Rose Theatre Co. will retain all rights to the audio-video content and their production of the monologues submitted. Please note that all submissions are voluntary and unpaid.

GUIDELINES:

1. For the first round we’re looking for pieces that are COMEDIC (light-hearted) in tone but all genres welcome.

2. Scripts should run 2 to 4 minutes

3. Should require no more than one actor

4. The submission should be devoid of all stage directions and settings. An optional explanatory paragraph of the piece may accompany the submission but should not be a part of the script itself.

5. Your script should be a standalone piece where the audience loosely experiences an entire arc of story ... a sense of a beginning, a middle (turning point, change, revelation) and a sense of resolution.

6. Your script will be assigned to a professional actor contracted by The Rose Theatre Co. and will be performed in one pass. Be advised that scripts may not be assigned according to age, gender, race, or ethnicity.

7. We’re looking for compelling, well-told and entertaining first-person stories. Non-traditional pieces (stand-up, literary, poems, spoken-word) are welcome provided they meet the guidelines.

To apply, or learn more about The Rose Theatre Co, please go to www.rosetheatre.net/submissions To help us reduce our environmental footprint, please make your submission online. Only digital submissions will be considered at this time. Printed or mailed submissions will not be accepted, read or returned. Thank you for your support.

EarthQuake: Moving the Earth with Our Voices A Global Zoom Festival

web site

Deadline: September 20, 2020, 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Call for Submissions for EarthQuake: Moving the Earth with Our Voices A Global Zoom Festival

Same Boat Theater Collective is soliciting short plays and theatrical pieces for EarthQuake: Moving the Earth with Our Voices, a global Zoom festival of performances to further the cause of environmental justice. 

We are looking for theater pieces that raise the awareness of how specific environmental issues affect the lives and communities of the underrepresented and underprivileged among us. The festival intends to produce work that gives an opportunity for a diversity of voices to be heard, with an emphasis on underrepresented and underprivileged artists. Same Boat will cast and direct the zoom performances.

Submission

10-20 minute scripts, monologues and other theatrical works (movement, puppetry, etc.) that can be performed live on Zoom and give thoughtful, engaging responses to one (or more) of the following questions1. What does being _____________ [an African American woman, e.g.] have to do with the environment?

Urban wilderness.” How has human activity specifically affected the environmentwhere you live?

Is misinformation a pandemic?

Guidelines for Submission:
  • Scripts and monologues must be fully production ready and possible to be performed on Zoom.
  • Pieces must be 10 – 20 minutes in length 
  • Maximum three performers per piece. 
  • While we are looking for work that can be performed live, we will consider presenting video pieces in our livestream productions, such as movement and puppet pieces. For this category, please provide a fully produced video for us to consider.
  • The work must tell a story as opposed to solely creating an impression or mood. 
  • Only work that has not had a professional production will be considered. However, work that has had a reading or non-professional run will be considered.
  • If the work is a collaboration, please ensure the names of all participants appear on the manuscript.
  • At the front of the script, please include a cast breakdown with pertinent details about the characters.
  • Please fill out and submit the application form.

Performances:

There will be three Livestream Zoom performances, one each from: The San Francisco Bay Area, London, and New Delhi on Sunday, October 25, 2020. The festival will be aired at 5pm in each of the respective time zones. Each Livestream will consist of several plays running about 90 minuets. Each play will be performed once in one of the geographical areas of the company’s choice.
How to submit:
Please send submissions to SameBoatTheater@gmail.com by
11:59pm, Pacific Time, September 20, 2020.
Participant choices will be made on October 1, 2020.

Thursday, September 10, 2020

The Generator seeks submissions

web site

Deadline: September 25, 2020

Original Idiots proudly invites playwrights to join the inaugural run of The Generator. The Generator will gather a group of artists to power new work from first drafts to production-ready scripts. It will culminate with a series of staged readings on an outdoor and socially-distant evening in the early summer of 2021.

GOALS
To prepare exciting new scripts for the moment when the stages are ready for them.

To foster a safe and honest community of playwrights who may support each other and be supported through the process of completing their work.

SPECIFICATIONS

Playwrights may submit a first or early draft of an unproduced play by September 25, 2020. The Generator is a commitment to a 9-month process of group workshops to be led by Danielle Carroll (Lead Dramaturg) and Matt Jacobs (Original Idiots Artistic Director). All workshops will take place over Zoom for as long as that is the safest way to do so. Workshops will be scheduled to meet the convenience of all parties, approximately every six weeks, leading to a series of staged readings in early summer 2021.

Playwrights will be notified by Friday, October 16, 2020 if their play has been selected for The Generator. The first workshop will be in November 2020.

Artists will be paid a stipend for the time we spend in workshops.

The culmination event, as well as any potential in-person meetings, will be held in Brooklyn, NY.

Please submit your script and resume to submissions@originalidiots.org by September 25, 2020

Ixion Theatre Ensemble

Facebook page

Deadline: September 30, 2020 5PM

We are seeking short plays around the theme of "Dreams". Whether it's about interpreting the meaning of eating a peanut butter and pickle sandwich in a tutu on the El with a clown or exploring aspirations, we want to see your stories.

Whatever dream(s) you want to explore we would like to hear that story.

We will select up to eight scripts for further development, including staged readings and possibly full production in May of 2021.

Guidelines for your Dreams submissions(s) are:
- No more than 4 actors
-Simple setting
-No more than 15 pages
-Submissions must include only first initial and last name of author in head or footer
-Multiple submissions are allowed
- No bios are to be included.
-Digital submissions only to ixionensemble@gmail.com
-Deadline is 5 p.m September 30, 2020

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Women's Theatre Festival Occupy the Stage 2020

web site

Deadline: September 15, 2020 11:59pm ET 

Women’s Theatre Festival will be accepting submissions for Occupy The Stage 2020, our annual staged reading marathon event. Occupy The Stage 2020 will commence from November 6-8 2020 on WTF’s YouTube channel and will consist of 48 hours worth of unproduced plays written by women+.

Submissions Criteria. In order to be considered for Occupy The Stage 2020 work must:
  • Be written by someone who identifies as a woman some or all of the time or who identifies as being of a marginalized gender*
  • Be considered new work (has not been professionally produced, has not received a world premiere, etc)
  • Be between 10-120 minutes in length
  • Be written such that 50% or more of the roles are for women+
WTF seeks submissions that represent a diverse range of women+ experiences. Further, we are committed to programming at least 50% of Occupy The Stage 2020 with the work of BIPOC women+ playwrights and to including multiple works by disabled playwrights, LGBTQ+ identifying playwrights, and to programming works by playwrights of all ages.

Selection Process. WTF’s Literary Manager, Laurel Ullman, and committee will read all submissions and make recommendations to Executive Artistic Director Johannah Maynard Edwards and the Occupy 2020 staff team for inclusion in the final line-up. Each playwright will be notified as to whether or not their submission was selected. Each selected playwright will receive a small royalty/honorarium. Selected plays will be paired with a director and cast by WTF. Directors will hold 3 rehearsals with their casts. Playwrights will be welcome to participate in the rehearsal process with the directors, but are not obligated to do so. Each play will receive 2 readings between 10:00am on Friday November 6 and 11:00pm on Sunday November 8, 2020.

Submissions will be accepted from 8:00am ET on September 1, 2020 until 11:59pm ET on September 15, 2020. No late submissions will be accepted. If you have questions, please check our Occupy 2020 FAQ and the form itself before submitting your question to info@womenstheatrefestival.com.

*WTF uses the term women+ to encompass a spectrum of gender experiences and identities. We welcome anyone who identifies as a woman some or all of the time, has identified as a woman at any time in the past, who identifies as non-binary, transgender, or any marginalized gender to submit.

Accessibility. WTF welcomes anyone with an access need to email us at info@womenstheatrefestival.com to arrange an accommodation or alternate format. If email is not an accessible form of communication for you, please reach out using the most accessible means of communication for you. We regret that we do not have a dedicated company phone line, but will schedule a phone call upon request. All Occupy 2020 staged readings will be captioned.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Stories Found seeks 10-minute plays

web site

Stories Found is currently accepting submissions of funny 10-minute plays for our new podcast. We've moved our staged comedy shows to the safe, germ-free world of digital storytelling!

Missing theatre? So are we.

So, we've launched a new bi-weekly podcast to help your plays and stories safely reach audiences during the pandemic.

Submission Info
  • We're looking for comedies! 
  • Deadline: Ongoing
  • Plays should be in the 10-minute range, but we are open to longer or shorter plays.
  • No fee. 
  • Open to all playwrights.
Your submission should be sent by email with the script/story attached as a PDF
Because of the podcast format, the fewer stage directions the better, but we are open to reading AT RISE and some directions as needed to enhance the listeners' understanding of the play.
You may submit a prior audio/video recording (as long as you own the rights).
We are currently accepting plays, sketches, and personal stories.
Send submissions to: submissions@storiesfound.com

Questions? Reach out to hello@storiesfound.com or read the FAQ on our submissions page here: https://storiesfound.com/submissions/

The Collaboration: 2020 Short Plays Festival

web site

Deadline: September 15, 2020 5PM EST
Baltimore MD

Arena Players Inc. of Baltimore, MD, the country’s oldest continually running African-American Community Theater, is pleased to announce our New Short Works Play Festival. 

We are launching a program to develop new short plays from emerging Black playwrights.

Six to eight short plays will be developed and staged for the festival. Each play will be assigned a director and cast and receive 6 workshop sessions with a professional theater mentor culminating in an weekend of staged performances on the Arena Players’ main stage.

Submission guidelines for PLAYWRIGHTS:
  • Submit your short play; no more than 15-minutes. 
  • Tech and set requirements should be minimal.
  • Cast size should not exceed 4.
  • Please email pdf of your play to Deletta at: delettagillespie@gmail.com
  • Deadline to receive submission is September 15, 2020 5PM
Website: https://www.arenaplayersinc.com
History: Please submit plays that hav not previously been produced
Notification: Submitters will be notified by email mid-September, 2020
There is no fee to submit

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Women’s Work Project Short Play Lab

web site

Deadline: October 4, 2020 Midnight

A unique process of developing scripts to production quality

Since its creation in 1994, NPTC Women’s Work Project has had the goal of not only helping to develop specific plays, but to support residents’ growth as accomplished and skilled playwrights—to give writers added tools in the practice of their craft and to strengthen their individual voices. Our focus has always been on bringing scripts to production quality.
NOTE: All LABs are currently be conducted virtually. If circumstances require that we continue in that format into 2021, we may amend our procedures.

Short Play Lab

The WOMEN’S WORK LAB for short plays provides a supportive and nurturing environment to emerging and mid-career women playwrights. Six members are selected each year, along with a similar number of directors. The LAB meets monthly (Sundays) from February through June, allowing for time in between sessions for writers to continue to develop and revise their work in response to feedback. Members are expected to bring work to each session beginning with the development of an original short play based upon an assigned theme.

Playwrights receive monthly feedback on their play from the LAB’s group of director/dramaturgs. 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. NPTC’s approach creates a collaborative group from which members can draw inspiration and energy. Scripts are then produced in our annual Women's Work Short Play Festival.

Note: Playwrights may not solicit outside feedback during the development process.

Application Guidelines For Short Play Lab


PLAYWRIGHTS

Playwrights should apply by midnight, October 4, 2020 by sending the following as email attachments, with the email Subject Line “Women’s Work Application” to contact@nptnyc.org:

Please include:
  • a full resume, including specific information on your training as a writer (i.e. degree program, workshops, etc.) and website URL if applicable
  • a 10-15 page writing sample from a playscript 
  • a personal statement explaining your understanding of the purpose of the LAB and why you wish to be a member, including goals for your own growth and development if selected. Please include in this statement how you choose to be identified re: ethnicity and gender (she/they).

(Please note that ALL 3 items are required to be considered.)

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Fundamentals, First Draft, and Rewriting Classes Online at Primary Stages ESPA!

 Fall 2020 online classes at Primary Stages ESPA are now open for enrollment! Whether you’re looking to gain the fundamentals of playwriting, start a first draft, or rewrite a play you’ve been working on, we have the class for you!

Build a toolbox of the fundamentals, so your first play (and each play you write after that!) can be built on a strong foundation.
Instructors: 
SECTIONS STILL AVAILABLE:
Section A with M̻lisa Annis (Writer, Director, and Dramaturg; Faculty, NYU Tisch Dramatic Writing Program) on Wednesdays from 6:30pm Р9:30pm ET
Section B with Nikkole Salter (Writer, Pulitzer Prize-Nominated In the Continuum; Actor, The Great Society on Broadway) on Thursdays from 6:00pm – 9:00pm ET

This class will guide you through the development of your first draft, providing concrete deadlines, constructive feedback, and a collaborative environment to get your ideas on the page.
SECTIONS STILL AVAILABLE: 
Section B with Caridad Svich (Writer, OBIE Winner for Lifetime Achievement) on Tuesdays from 2:00pm – 5:00pm ET
Section C with Abe Koogler (Obie-winning Writer, Fulfillment Center at MTC) on Tuesdays from 5:00pm – 8:00pm ET
Section D with Tasha Gordon-Solmon (Writer and Director; Faculty, NYU Graduate Playwriting Program) on Thursdays from 5:00pm – 8:00pm ET
Section E with Eddie Sanchez (Writer, Barefoot Boy... at Primary Stages) on Sundays from 11:00am – 2:00pm ET
Section F with Michael Walkup (Producing Artistic Director, Page 73) on Mondays from 5:00pm – 8:00pm ET
Section G with Adam Kraar (Writer, Wild Terrain at EST) on Tuesdays from 6:30pm – 9:30pm ET

As soon as you finish your last line of dialogue, the need for rewrites begins. This class will help you tackle the revision process and develop a stronger version of your play.
Instructors: 
SECTIONS STILL AVAILABLE:
Section A with Stefanie Zadravec (Writer, The Electric Baby at Two River) on Wednesdays from 7:00pm – 10:00pm ET
Section C with Suzanne Bradbeer (Writer, Confederates (Kilroys Honorable Mention)) on Sundays from 3:00pm – 6:00pm ET

Classes begin mid-September. Start and end dates vary. Click here for the full list of writing classes.

Our award-winning faculty, comprised of working professionals in the field, provides practical skills and expert guidance in a collaborative community atmosphere. 

Primary Stages ESPA provides students easy and convenient payment plans to break up tuition. For more information, call 212.840.9705 x215 or email espa@primarystages.org.

Blog Archive