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Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Fifh Annual Eric H. Weinberger Award for Emerging Librettists

Website

Deadline: December 2, 2022

The Eric H. Weinberger Award for Emerging Librettists is a juried cash and production grant given annually to support the early work and career of a deserving musical theatre librettist. It commemorates the life and work of playwright/librettist Eric H. Weinberger (1950-2017), who was a Drama Desk Award nominee for Best Book of a Musical (Wanda’s World), and the playwright/librettist of Class Mothers ’68, which earned Pricilla Lopez a Drama Desk Award nomination.

The winner will receive $2,000 to help with cost-of-living expenses. The winning musical will receive development assistance in the 2023 New Works Development Program of Amas Musical Theatre, culminating in an Amas Lab production with New York theatre professionals. Amas, which is administering the award, was the development home for several of Mr. Weinberger’s musicals, and which produced the World Premiere of Wanda’s World and the New York Premiere of Tea for Three.

With the many setbacks in the theatre industry over the past three years, we are grateful to be afforded this opportunity to continue making theatre and creating an impact in our community. Both our 2020 and 2021 winners, Cheeyang Ng and Eric Sorrels, and Gabe Caruso and Sangwoo Lee received development workshops of their musicals Māyā and Settle Down this year. We are excited to begin work with our 2022 winners Charlie Roman and Will Wegner on their piece Onward & Upward, and welcome a new wave of inspiring voices to our musical theatre family.
Submissions open Monday September 19, 2022 and will close on Friday, December 2, 2022. All submissions must be sent through an online application that can be found HERE.

Only one submission per playwright/librettist will be accepted. The winner of the award will be announced spring 2023.

Amas Musical Theatre will not ask for any fees for entry or for any fiduciary involvement from the playwright/librettists at any point of the process.

APPLY HERE

Submission Requirements:

The musical must:
  • Be a full-length show (at least 80 minutes)
  • Have no more than seven actors (actors may play multiple roles, if so please include a suggested breakdown of role distribution)
  • Be complete and ready for readings, workshops and/or productions
  • Have a demo that is an accurate representation of the music and style of the show (at least five songs)
  • Have full underlying rights clearance of any pre-existing material used in the script (music, source material, etc.)
  • Not have had a full production or be published in any way, even if with a different name.
What to submit
  • All documents must be submitted as PDF files and they should be named with the part of the submission it refers to and the title of the show in the format of PART_TITLE, i.e.: for Tea for Three; BIO_TEA-FOR-THREE, SYNOPSIS_TEA-FOR-THREE, etc.
  • Biography and resumes of all contractually attached people such as composer, director, producer to the project
  • History of the submission’s development, and any previous titles it has gone through (if applicable, maximum one page)
  • Brief synopsis (maximum 150 words)
  • Brief artistic statement on the piece itself, including all source material, inspiration, goal, message, etc. (maximum one page)
  • Proof of rights (if applicable)
  • Demo and track listings (Demo selections to be posted as a Dropbox or Google Drive link)
  • PDF document of the full-script and sheet music, if available (no writers named)

Guidelines for Materials

All submissions must adhere to the following or your application will be disqualified before reaching our selection committee.

PROOF OF RIGHTS

If the musical contains any copyrighted material, please submit a signed letter from the authors and/or underlying rights representative stating that underlying rights have been secured.

FULL SCRIPT

The full script must include:

Title page (which should only have the title on it and absolutely no other information)

Character breakdown (maximum one page)
The complete script with page numbers

For the anonymity of your submission, the full script and sheet music cannot include any information on playwright/ librettist or contractually attached people, previous casts, or any agents. All submissions will go through a blind evaluation process, any personal information you provide will only be available to Amas Musical Theatre staff.

Demo Tracks

The recording should be a significant representation of the songs in the show that accurately highlights the style and character of the score and lyrics.

Demo tracks should:
  • Include at least one song from the first 25 pages
  • Have at least five recordings available – they do not need to be professional or studio quality but they must be clear enough to hear lyrics, melody, and accompaniment
  • Have singers of appropriate vocal types for their respective roles
  • Be full songs only, no medleys of spliced songs
  • For the anonymity of your submission, tracks cannot include any personal identifiers for playwright/librettist(s), the performers recorded, or contractually attached people.
The Selection Process

Scripts will be read and evaluated through a blind submission process by Amas Musical Theatre’s literary team. A group of finalist plays will be read and evaluated by a selection committee, comprised of distinguished artists and playwrights, using a blind evaluation process. Committee members will not be given any additional information beyond the title of the show, the script and the demo tracks.

Any personal information you provide in the application is seen by the Amas Musical Theatre staff only, not the selection committee. Our process is based on the quality of the work submitted.

Round 1 (September-December)

Our literary team reads the first 25 pages of the book and listens to the demo for any track related to these pages.

The team fills out evaluations for each show, which determine the submissions that continue to Round 2.

If selected as a finalist, the show’s application primary contact is notified via email.​​

Round 2 (January-March)

The selection committee reads the scripts in full and listens to all demo tracks submitted.

Committee members discuss the finalists to determine which one is best suited for the award.

The winner will be announced in the spring of 2021

The application’s primary contact is notified and a development schedule is created with the winner.

We will not be able to provide feedback regarding why a particular piece was or was not selected.

The Winner

Will receive $2,000 to help pay for cost-of-living expenses.

Will receive development assistance in the 2023 New Works Development Program of Amas Musical Theatre.

Will have the selected show rehearsed and performed by New York theatre professionals in an Amas Lab production.

Must be present in New York City for the development process.

Must give the right of first refusal for a world premiere of the selected show that will expire 90 days after

Amas Musical Theatre presents the Lab production.

Monday, November 28, 2022

The Hunter College MFA Playwriting Program 2023

The Hunter College MFA Playwriting Program is accepting applications through January 15th! Please visit https://www.huntertheatre.net/mfa for more information.




Saturday, November 26, 2022

Think Fast Festival 2023

Website

Deadline: November 28, 2022

HOW TO SUBMIT: Electronic submissions only. E-mail your short play in MS Word or PDF to OneActFest@TheTheaterProject.org. Include in the Subject line: “Submission + The Title of Your Play.”

The Theater Project of Union, NJ, an award-winning, professional theater, is now soliciting short plays for a Zoom production of Think Fast, its ninth-annual short play competition March 3, 4 and 5, 2023. The contest is open to playwrights in the New Jersey-New York area. The Judges’ Choice winner will receive a $500 prize.

WHAT TO SUBMIT: Plays can be either dramas or comedies but must be no more than 15 minutes running time and applicable to a Zoom production (small casts, simple settings, etc.). The running-time restriction is absolute and plays that exceed 15 minutes will not be considered. Plays invited to participate must be rehearsed, ready-to-perform and must supply their own actors and directors. Playwrights may submit only one play – make it your best There is no restriction on previously produced plays.

There is no fee to submit. However, those selected for participation will be charged a $100 production fee.

STATEMENT: Email submissions must contain this sentence in the body of the email: “If my play is accepted and I choose to take part in the festival, I understand that I will be responsible for the casting and rehearsal of my play and that I will be charged a $100 production fee.

THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL: 2023 Think Fast festival will be a Zoom production, recorded and broadcast on Friday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 5 at 2 p.m. The Theater Project will supply a technical/stage manager who will oversee a Zoom rehearsal with each play and a final recording on an appointed night. The playwright of each play chosen for production must take part in one of two scheduled audience talk-back on Friday, March 3, 2023 or Saturday, March 4, 2023 and the awards ceremony following the final performance on Sunday, March 5, 2023.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS SUPPLY: Think Fast is a playwright-produced festival. The Theater Project cannot help with casting, rehearsals, etc. Playwrights must be able to secure actors and a director and rehearse plays on their own. If not, please do not submit to the festival. Each production must make agreements with actors/directors regarding rehearsals and compensation.

JUDGES: All plays are guaranteed three (3) Zoom performances on Friday, March 3, Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5. After Sunday’s performance, a panel of judges will bestow the Judges’ Choice Award ($500 prize) as well as Best Male Actor, Best Female Actor and Best Director. There will also be an Audience Choice award based on audience voting. Playwrights and directors are invited to an after-performance discussion with the audience.

QUESTIONS? Email OneActFest@TheTheaterProject.org

More info: https://www.thetheaterproject.org/think-fast-short-play-competition

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

The Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival 2023

Website

Deadline: December 1, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST

Blackboard Plays and Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL) partner to uplift the experiences of Black Parenthood. The Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival was established to tell stories from and about Black artists with families.

MISSION STATEMENT

Since 2008, Blackboard Plays has been devoted to Black Playwrights throughout the African Diaspora. Blackboard Reading Series was incubated at Nancy Manocherian's the cell in Chelsea's Manhattan as a resident series for 10 years before Blackboard made its home in The Mary Rodgers Room at The Dramatists Guild in 2018. Feature Readings and Community Nights are two ways that Blackboard supports the development of new work by Black Playwrights. Blackboard was founded by Garlia Cornelia Jones.

Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL) is a national advocacy organization serving as a resource hub, community, and solutions generator for caregivers in the performing arts and media and the institutions who support them. PAAL created the first all-gender, all-discipline national PAAL Childcare Grants for individuals and institutions. PAAL has participated internationally in think tanks, on panels, and facilitated workshops on parenting in the arts at multiple gatherings, including the national TCG conferences, BroadwayCon, Actors Equity Association, Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, and the first national conversation on caregiving in the Latinx community at the Latinx Theatre Commons Annual Convening, Miami in Motion, in 2019. PAAL commits to anti-racist roots in structure, practice, policy, principle, and production, through Vertical 50/50, centering support on BIPOC artists, and gathering resources for active anti-racism in caregiver support.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

PAAL and Blackboard established #BMPFest to showcase the creative output of Black parent playwrights. They issued an open call in October 2020 for writers who identify as Black parents or caregivers to submit up to 10 pages of work that they would develop into a one-act.

SEEKING

The Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival (#BMPFest) is seeking new plays by Black Parent and caregiver playwrights for its upcoming theatre festival in the Fall of 2023.

#BMPFest is open to those that identify as Black parents and caregivers.

#BMPFest is seeking stories centering the Black parenting and caregiving experience.

This includes, but is not limited to stories from artists with family responsibilities.

PAAL and Blackboard are transgender and non-binary affirming spaces. All language referencing "mother," "parent," "dad," "caregiver," and their derivatives include and refer to any individual who identifies with them.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

December 1, 2022 at 11:59pm EST

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Please submit up to 10 pages MAX of a play that you would develop into a One-Act (30 - 45 minutes.)

Six (6) Semi-Finalists will have a feature digital (zoom) reading as part of Blackboard Plays’ 2023 Season.

Four (4) Finalists will develop their One-Act centering on the Black parenting and caregiving experience to premiere digitally during the Fall of 2023.Once selected, we will ask our 10-semifinalists to submit a full script for review.

We will then select our 4 finalists.

Between the start of rehearsal and your selection as a finalist, you will have the opportunity to expand upon your work.

Diverse Gender representation will be prioritized in the review and selection process.

Each produced play will have digital production elements and an assigned director.

Although we ask for a sample of 10-pages, this is not a 10-minute play festival. 

Video Submissions will not be accepted.

LOCATION

The Final four (4) plays will be produced virtually.

Pending partner theatre preferences, we will consider a hybrid presentation.

Vaccination will be required for all participants of in-person productions

COMPENSATION

Each of the four (4) Finalists will be paid a stipend of $1,000. USD, as well as a $500. USD Caregiver Reimbursement Stipend per artist.

FAQ

Question: What if my play has already had a reading or what if it has been produced somewhere else. Can I still submit it?

While we encourage new work we also support the developmental process. If your piece is in development, has had a reading, or been produced at smaller theatres then send it along.

Question: I was one of the top four finalists for the 2022 season, can I submit for the 2023 season?

We ask that you wait a year before re-submitting if you were one of our finalists.

Summer Shorts 2 now accepting submissions

Website

Deadline: December 1st, 2022 at 11:59 EST

SUBMISSION FORM

Once again, we are looking for playwrights to share their talents with us for our next short works festival!

This year, we are going to have our festival focus on the theme plays inspired by songs.

Requirements for consideration:

Plays should connect in some way to this year's theme.

Plays must be ten minutes or less -- even one-minute plays are welcomed! Please read your script aloud before submitting, pausing when appropriate for stage action, beats, etc to be certain of its running time.

Plays should have minimal sets/props and easy-to-acquire costuming.

Plays should have no more than 4 characters.

Musicals and monologues will not be accepted...sorry!

Plays can be of any genre or content, but are encouraged to contain diverse character representation.

While play formatting may vary, please adhere to a clean and orderly presentation. This includes spell check, grammar, and other conventions of writing.

Only one submission per playwright, please.

Timeline:

Submissions are open until December 1st, 2022 at 11:59 EST; however, they are read on a rolling basis. Therefore, if enough plays are submitted and accepted before the date of closing, submissions will stop being accepted. (In other words...the early bird catches the worm!)

Finalists will be contacted by no later than April 1st, 2023.

Performances will be held live on stage in Central Massachusetts in summer 2023.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to financially compensate playwrights for their work.

Monday, November 21, 2022

Short Play & Music Festival - LUV 2023

Website

Deadline: December 15, 2022

SUBMISSION FORM

Festival is produced by Be Bold! Productions at

The Steve & Marie Sgouros Theatre at The Players Theatre
115 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012 - 3rd floor

3 weeks, 4 performances weekly (Thursday through Sunday),

5 plays featured each week.

ELIGIBILITY:

Short Plays and Musicals with a performance time of 15 minutes or less, no more than 15 pages in length.

Writers are eligible to submit up to 2 plays.

THEMES: "LUV" (Feb) "NYC" (June) “Boo!” (OC

All plays submitted must be centered on, or revolve around this theme.

** Note **

1) Playwrights are responsible for producing their own play - Host provides Theatre, technicians, marketing and box office

2) If selected, there is a $50 NON-refundable tech fee required

Plays MUST be NO MORE 15 minutes in length and no more than 15 pages

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Athena Project’s Read & Rant: A Plays In Progress Series

Website

Deadline: November 30, 2022 at 11:59 PM

Submissions Accepted: November 15-30 for February Read & Rant

Athena Project’s new Read & Rant program seeks to combine the original form’s sharing of theatrical work with the wider public with the new play development aspects of Plays In Progress while also fostering collaboration between playwrights and dramaturgs. We are initiating these changes to Read & Rant with the goal to create digital opportunities for early and mid-career playwrights, uplift women* writers and dramaturgs overall, and highlight underrepresentation for women* in these positions.

A total of five plays will be selected via lottery. Two of these plays will be featured in our next Read & Rant and will receive a moderated Zoom discussion led by a dramaturg as well as initial feedback from the public. The remaining three will still have an opportunity to receive short feedback from a dramaturg via a medium of their preference (written, audio recording, short video, or live phone call).

Submission Guidelines:
  • Playwright must be a woman* and may submit only one full-length script each month. Full-length is defined by at least 60 pages in standard playscript format.
  • Only previously unproduced plays are eligible. Scripts with prior workshops, readings or academic productions are accepted, but the script should be revised prior to submission to Read & Rant so the playwright receives the most benefit from this opportunity. (Presently, we cannot accept musicals.)

The submission deadline is November 30, 2022, 11:59 pm MDT for February Read & Rant participation.


*At Athena Project, we believe that “women” means many things and can be a complicated term. We recognize that the term “women” does not automatically include all aspects of the gender spectrum. We want to create a safer space for the expression and growth for all women, non-binary, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Saturday, November 19, 2022

FRESH WORDS 5 MINUTE PLAYS ANTHOLOGY 'CONTEMPORARY NEW YORK PLAYS-2022'

Website

Deadline: November 20, 2022

We are open for submissions for our Special 5 Minute Play Anthology 'CONTEMPORARY NEW YORK PLAYS-2022' . 

Please send all submissions to dramaanthologyfreshwords@gmail.comas per the following guidelines:

1. The 5 Minute Play can be about:
a) Social,/cultural/ economic life in New York.

b) Literary trends in New york.

c) New York theatre life.

d) Migrants in New York.

e) New York and American Dream

f) Individual and New York city.

g) New York & human values

h) New York and broken dreams

i) New York and writers/artists

j) Any other topic of interest that is not covered above but deals with New York.

2. We shall not accept works promoting or glorifying- violence, sexual abuse, racism , hatred or any political ideology.

3. Maximum 2 submissions.

4. You can send 5-minute plays (Maximum 5 pages for each work).

5. Also please send a summary of the work.

6. All submissions to be sent to dramaanthologyfreshwords@gmail.com

7. Submission deadline: November 20, 2022. (The selected playwrights will be informed on or before November30th, 2022 through email.).

8. Mention YOUR NAME followed by 'SUBMISSION FOR 5 MINUTE NEW YORK PLAYS ANTHOLOGY ' in the subject line of your email

General Guidelines:

1. All submissions must contain a cover letter and a short literary profile (Maximum 70 words) of playwright in the third person narrative.

2. All submissions must be sent typed in MS Word or PDF doc as attachment with the email.

3. The author should mention:

Legal Name:

Pen name (if any):

Snail mail address:

4. Playwright must send a high resolution photo(JPEG format) of self as a separate attachment with the submission.

5. Simultaneous submissions are welcome but please immediately inform us in case they are accepted elsewhere.


NOTE: THERE IS NO SUBMISSION OR PARTICIPATION FEE.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/freshwordsmagazine/submit
Twitter:  @magazine_words
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Middlebury Acting Company’s American Dreaming: 2023 New Play Festival

Website

Deadline: December 15, 2022
Or until 100 submissions have been received

Through an open submission process, Middlebury Acting Company is looking for three new plays for our second American Dreaming New Play Festival. This festival aims to amplify three unproduced, unpublished plays that address the question: What does the American Dream mean today? The selected plays will each receive two rehearsals, dramaturgical feedback, and a culminating public staged reading followed by a carefully moderated talkback with the audience.

The goal of this festival is to assist the chosen playwrights in the development of their new plays, and to invite the Middlebury community into the new play development process. Plays of all genres and styles are welcome!

Selected playwrights will receive housing for three nights and a travel stipend of $150 to help defray the costs of getting to Middlebury.

The festival will take place over one weekend in August, 2023 in Middlebury, Vermont.

Submission Process & Requirements: 
  • Only the first 100 submissions will be considered, so early submissions are encouraged.
  • We are looking for plays that address the question: What does the American Dream mean today? We are excited to see how you interpret that question, but please do note the theme when considering what to submit.
  • Playwrights living anywhere in the U.S. are welcome to apply. If selected, we are able to offer a $150 travel stipend. Any additional travel costs are the responsibility of the playwright.
  • Playwrights may submit only one play. No re-submissions of previously submitted plays.
  • Only plays requiring 5 or fewer actors are eligible. 
  • Submissions must not have received a professional production or publication before August of 2023. Plays that have received previous workshops or readings are eligible.
  • We are looking for full-length play submissions. No one-acts or musicals.
  • Playwrights may submit up to 20 pages of one full-length play. You are welcome to submit any 20 pages from your play. If context is required for the sample you submit, you’re welcome to include a brief bit of context (no more than one page) at the beginning of the sample.
  • We will select a small group of finalists by early March, 2023. If selected as a finalist, you will have one week within which to send us the full script of your play.
  • There is no fee to submit. 
Submission Materials:Playwright’s contact information
  • A sample of up to 20 pages of your chosen play. Please include a character breakdown.
  • A brief statement (200 words or less) on how your play fits into the theme of the festival 
Ready to submit? Fill out our Google Form here

Questions? Email the new play festival coordinator Gina Stevensen at gina@middleburyactors.org

Friday, November 18, 2022

Balance Arts Center Performance Showcase 2023

Website

Deadline: December 16, 2022 at 5PM EST

Apply Here

Join us this February for the BAC Performance Showcase in support of performing artists in NYC! There will be two shows taking place at the Balance Arts Center in Midtown: Saturday February 25th at 7pm and Sunday February 26th at 2pm.

Each artist will have up to 15 minutes of performance time

There is a no application fee.

The BAC will curate the performances

Musicians, singers, actors, dancers, and performers of all art forms are all encouraged to apply!
Apply Here

Showcase Details

Accepted applicants will receive:
One 2 hour rehearsal in the performance space

A lighting/tech rehearsal on the day of the performance (3 internal cues max)

Reduced space rental fee at the Balance Arts Center as space is available (15% discount)
Showcase Specifications:
Performance Running Time: 15 minute max

Minimal props requested

Piano, music stands, small speakers, black traveler, and projector are all available on site

No excessively loud music

No street shoes, percussion sets, animals, open flames, paint, liquids, glitter, beads, confetti, or food to be used in the performance

Click Here to learn more about the Balance Arts Center’s Karl Kemp Performance Space

Application deadline is Friday, December 16th at 5pm EST
Apply Here

Applicants will be notified about their work being presented by January 4th

If you have any questions regarding the application process you can email us at info@balanceartscenter.co


Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Fresh Fruit Festival MAINSTAGE 23

Website

Deadline: November 28, 2022

> THE ONLINE 2023 APPLICATION <

All Out Arts is accepting submissions for the 20th Annual Mainstage portion of the Fresh Fruit Festival, New York City’s 21-year-old grassroots, multidisciplinary festival of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer arts and culture. The festival will occur over two weeks from April 24 through Early May at The Wild Project in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Entries are accepted through December 5, 2022. Thanks to the generosity of New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs, there are no submission fees for early applicants (by Nov. 28), and no performance fees are required.

The Fresh Fruit Festival’s goal is to present a broad spectrum of LGBTQ lives as expressed through new Theatre, Video, Graphic Arts, Music & various other forms of artistic expression. Submissions in all artistic disciplines are considered for presentation as long as they highlight or showcase the LGBTQ experience, and are finished, self-produced shows.

The Festival provides insured, AEA-approved performance venues, marketing & publicity assistance, ticketing services, professional theater staff (logistics manager; lighting or sound technician; front of house); repertory lighting plot & sound system; networking events; box-office shares; & more!

Submission Deadline: Monday, NOV. 28, 2022 (No Submission Fee) Announcements in January.
Late Deadline: Monday Dec. 12, 2022 (Note: EARLY submissions get far more attention from our readers!)

If you are applying from out-of-town: (14+ miles from New York City), you must include a note about how you intend to Produce your show locally (all casting, crew, producer, a local publicity firm, etc.). You may use the “Performance History” section of the form. All shows must be locally produced in New York City.

Questions? – If you are applying in Graphics, Film, or Screenplay categories, – or if you have any other questions about the submission process, please email a note of interest with any short questions on our Contact Form. A full listing and download site for ALL festival hints, rules, tech notes, FAQs, etc. will be published here soon.

Process: The application form must be completed entirely on-line, so we recommend that you download and print a practiceblank copy of the form HERE to prepare your answers in advance. On the real application below most spaces will expand as you type, and you will be able to upload files as .PDF .RTF .TXT or .DOC files, or simply provide tested links. When you are ready, go to the online application below (You can always update your information or files later via email)

International Human Rights Art Festival Short Play Festival 2023

Website

Deadline: December 1, 2022
DEADLINE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO NOVEMBER 22, 2022

New York City's International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF.ORG) and The Tank Theater issue a call for proposals for a ten-minute play festival on Wednesday evening, January 11, 2023 as part of the International Human Rights Art Festival’s Winterfest, January 11-13 at the Tank, 312 W. 36th Street, NYC.

The Festival will take place in the 98-seat main stage.

We are looking for self-produced pieces which are built around a social concern. We are especially interested in work exhibiting the values of beauty, sincerity, vulnerability, engagement and celebrating diversity; work inspired by the open-heart of the artist, and not their anger, disgust or disapproval.

Selected plays will receive a tech rehearsal during the day on January 11, full tech support, PR and marketing as part of the festival and a prime spot in this year's event There is no fee to apply, and a production stipend of $50 per selected play will be paid.

Please send a description of the work, links, resume and any other information which might be of help in our decision to hello@ihraf.org. Deadline is December 1, 2022. Final decisions will be made by December 15, 2022.

The International Human Rights Art Festival has produced more than 100 events featuring more than 750 artists since its inception in March 2017, at Dixon Place (NY). It has been covered in more than 30 media outlets (including the New York Times, NBC, Fox5, AM-NY, Metro-NY, Huffington Post and many others); has worked with politicians and performers such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Charles Schumer, Congressman John Lewis (deceased), Kathleen Turner, Barbra Streisand and many more. Founded in 2003, The Tank champions emerging artists engaged in the pursuit of new ideas and forms of expression working across all disciplines, including theater, comedy, dance, film, music, puppetry, and storytelling.

Emerging Artists Theatre (EAT) NEW WORK SERIES (NWS)

Website

Deadline: December 1, 2022

The Emerging Artists Theatre (EAT) NEW WORK SERIES (NWS) is a three-week developmental program that provides theater artists of different disciplines the opportunity to present one performance of a polished “work-in-progress” with audience feedback. Most pieces selected for NWS will have never before been performed in front of an audience. Some selections will have been performed once or twice but feature new material. We are not interested in seeing established pieces of theatre. We want to see something brand spanking new hit the stage for the first or nearly the first time. We think of this series as an opportunity for artists to share an early draft of a new piece. There is no submission charge, and no obligation to participate if chosen. Plus participants receive 50% of the box office. Successful Fringe, NYMF, and Off-Broadway shows have been born out of this series, and Emerging Artists is excited to present a new round of opportunities to local artists for yet another year.

We accept submissions for the following new works:
  • Solo Shows
  • Dance
  • Cabaret
  • Musicals (Short and Long)
  • Plays (Short and Long)
  • Subway Musicians
  • Storytelling Show
  • Sketch Comedy
  • Interactive
  • Other … Out of the Box
HOW TO APPLYPART ONE: Read this page, our FAQ, and our TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PART TWO: Fill out the application form. You will be asked to provide information on the following:How you heard about Emerging Artists Theatre’s New Work Series
Why your show would be a good fit
Show title, running time, and production history (if applicable)
Show marketing blurb (one sentence) and summary (less than 500 words)
Contact information, website, social media handles, and professional bio(s)
Hit SUBMIT to submit your application

GETTING ACCEPTED

If you are accepted into the New Work Series, there will be an information session/meet-and-greet on a date to be determined. There will be snacks. Good ones.
APPLY

Applications for the Spring 2023 New Work Series are now OPEN through December 1, 2022.

SEE APPLICATION

NY THEATER FESTIVAL SPRING/SUMMERFEST 2023 - THEATER/FESTIVAL COMPETITION

 NYTheater Festival Spring/Summerfest 2023 - Theater/Festival/Competition - Plays/Musicals - Total Prizes $7,500 - First Prize $3,500 - Full Lengths - One Acts - Shorts – Solos

NYTheater Festival Spring/Summerfest 2023 - Theater/Festival/Competition

WELCOME TO THE LARGEST AND ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS THEATER FESTIVAL/COMPETITION IN THE UNITED STATES. WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR OUR 25TH CONSECUTIVE SEASON. WE HAVE HOSTED MORE THAN 1,200 PLAYS AND 300 MUSICALS  

THEATER PLAY/MUSICAL COMPETITION

 

Submit now so your production can come to life in the heart of New York - our plays and musicals have been WOWING New Yorkers for over a decade!  

to submit, go to:

http://newyorktheaterfestival.com/summerfest-festivals/

  

Introducing NYC’s fastest growing competition - Now accepting submissions only from writers and producers  who live within a 30 mile radius from Manhattan.

 

PRIZES:

We offer up to $7,500 in Prizes. $3,500 alone goes to the season’s best production (either a play or a musical) 

There is no other festival that gives away this much money in prizes. Our winners are selected by the festival’s team of judges, unlike many festivals that are nothing but popularity contests where winners are determined by who brings in the largest audience. We believe that sometimes the simple productions with smaller budgets and smaller audiences turn out to be the best shows, and therefore go on to win 1st Place Prize.  At this festival, we love honest writing and sincere, heart-felt performances.

Prize categories include: 

BEST PRODUCTION: $3,500

BEST PLAY OR MUSICAL SHORT:  $500

MOST CREATIVE PLAY OR MUSICAL: $500

BEST DIRECTOR: $500

2 BEST ACTORS: $500 each 

2 BEST ACTRESSES: $500 each 

BEST SINGER $500

BEST MUSICAL SCORE $300

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY $300

 

A LIVE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR WORK IS ESSENTIAL FOR IMPROVEMENT. IF YOU SO CHOOSE, THE FESTIVAL WILL REACH OUT TO AUDIENCE MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED YOUR PRODUCTION WITH A QUESTIONNAIRE. FEEDBACK FROM AN AUDIENCE WILL INFORM YOUR WORK AND GIVE YOU THE KNOWLEDGE TO IMPROVE YOUR WORK FOR ANY FUTURE RUN OF YOUR PRODUCTION 


Here’s a chance to have your Play or Musical performed live on a stage in Manhattan, New York City!  

Accepting plays and musicals of all genres and all lengths (between 5-90 minutes long). The New York Theater Festival has been a haven for playwrights for 11 consecutive years of theater. Read below to find out why!

 

Why is the New York Theater Festival a mecca for new and

 original plays?  

Simple.  

We offer:

§  A quality venue.

75  seats . A stage with plenty of room for large scenes with many actors (30’x22’). Plenty of space backstage, lots of room in the wings, a huge dressing room complete with mirrors and lights, and plenty of storage space for your props/costumes.

 

§  Need furniture/set pieces? No problem.

There is no other festival that offers you 85 set pieces/furniture for free! Our set pieces are stored backstage for easy accessibility for any performance. Not only do we invite you to use our set pieces, we also offer free storage for all of your hand props and/or costume pieces for the duration of your run.  Transporting set pieces in Manhattan is a nightmare - you’d have to double park your truck outside of the theater for every performance, only to return to find your windshield sporting a new parking ticket. It’s equally a hassle to lug all of your props, set items, and costumes back and forth on the subway during your run.  Don’t sweat it.  We have space - and that’s not easy to come by in NYC! Check out our props:

https://newyorktheaterfestival.com/props/


§  Easy to use technology.

Where else will you get a lighting plot of 65 lights, complete with LED lights? Our lights can create a flush in a full range of deep colors, allowing you many different creative options to light your show.  You are also free to use our projector that projects 21×12′ on our backdrop.  Our lighting and sound boards are extremely easy to use, even for those with little to no previous experience. You do not need to have training in tech to use them.

 

§  If MUSIC is the food of love, play on!

Need music?  We have a solid upright piano you can use

 

§   We offer long techs.


We all know it’s very important to have ample rehearsal time for your tech.

For a Full-Length (60-90 minutes) we provide 4 hours for your tech. 

For a One-Act (30-45 minutes) we provide 2 hours, and for a Short (5-20 minutes) we provide you 1 hour.

Other places might offer little to no time for tech rehearsals, but we understand that you can’t get anything done in that time. We don’t want to risk your show looking worse than it could be just because you never got to run the show with lights. Our goal is to make sure you feel confident with your show before you open. That’s why we offer a generous amount of tech time (After all, time is money!)

§  What’s more important than advertising your show?


Many theater festival’s websites do not advertise your show. Those that do only do so with vague descriptions and a thumbnail of a poster. Check out our web pages where we list previous productions and you will immediately see the difference - Large posters and detailed information!

We create a page for your show, with a link that you can share with confidence to family, friends, colleagues, and community. 

Furthermore, cast and crew from all other productions in a season are granted free tickets to see all of the other shows in the festival!

Check out our posts: 

https://newyorktheaterfestival.com/winterfest-festivals/shows-date-2019-winterfest/ 


§  Prime performance hours

We give you ideal prime time slots with a variety of times, allowing all audience members to find a performance they can attend; we also include 30 minutes of time to set up before each show.

§  No seasonal volunteers

One of our principle team members is always at the theater to support you during your tech, box office times, and performances.  You will always see a familiar face!  Feel free to ask for help or special guidance to make your performance a success.  Your questions will be answered in a matter of hours from the festival’s team.  You will never have to wait days for a response.  Our staff is knowledgeable and experienced, providing you with real answers and a personal touch.

§  Award ceremony

At the end of the festival, we host an unforgettable awards ceremony to honor your talent in front of your artistic colleagues - similar to the Oscars!

Magic in Rough Spaces 2023

Website

Deadline: December 15, 2022 5PM CST

The West Side Show Room is seeking new 10-minute works which will be presented in a staged reading on January 19-21, 2023 in Rockford, Illinois.

We accept spoken word poetry, plays, monologues, stories— or anything written for live performance.

Theme: Healing + Homage
Length: 10 minutes or less
Award: $200
Due Date: DEC 15, 2022


THEME
HEALING + HOMAGE

As we navigate life, we carry with us great generational traditions— but we must also break free from their curses. This year we are asking writers to explore the ways in which we pay homage to— and heal from— the actions of those who came before us.

RULES

New Words: written after Oct 24, 2022

Theme: Healing + Homage

One Written Work per writer

Language: English

Writer Location: anywhere in the world!

Originality: no translations, adaptations, or excerpts of other works

Copyright: you must own it

Eligibility: no published or produced works

Length: 5 pages or less double-spaced. plays 10 pages or less.

Reading Time: 10 minutes or less

Format: Any

Works will be accepted until December 15, 2022 at 5:00pm CST. Writers will be notified about the status of their submission no later than January 1, 2023.

SUBMIT YOUR WORDS

Fill out the online application and upload a copy of your words:

Monday, November 14, 2022

Madison New Works Lab 2023

Website

Deadline: January 30, 2023
First 200 plays will be accepted

Full-length plays to be workshopped with a community of artists at James Madison
University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA 8/17/23 – 8/26/23. Looking for plays that respond to contemporary questions/issues in our world. Diverse perspectives and/or theatrical approaches welcome.

What is Madison New Works Laboratory?

Madison New Works Laboratory (MNWL) is an incubator for the development of new plays. Each selected playwright is provided an opportunity to develop their work with a community of artists through conversations, rehearsals, and a festival of public readings. MNWL aspires to the following goals:

Develop new works by and for various ages, cultures, and populations

Foster theatrical innovation in the development process in an artist-friendly environment

Identify new work for eventual production in the JMU Mainstage and Studio Season

Support professional playwrights in the development of their work

Provide opportunities for JMU faculty, students and local artists to work with professional artists on new work

Play Selection:

Preference will be given to unpublished plays/works that are seeking development and accomplish the following:

Address contemporary issues, stories and questions

Include characters that are suitable for college-age actors for both the development process and potential production in our mainstage season

Include no more than 6 characters (If your work has more than 6 characters and can be accomplished with character doubling, the character doubling must be articulated in the script.)

Description of Residency:

$500 honorarium for each playwright selected

Round-trip transportation and housing for the playwright

Access to student performers selected through an audition process. (Maximum of 6 actors, may include double casting.)

First 200 plays will be accepted or until 1/30/23. Selected plays will be announced by 4/15/23.

Available resources include director, stage manager and supportive artistic staff.

Development and rehearsals will be held 8/17 – 8/26 (Arrival 8/16 and departure 8/27)

Public readings and Meet the Playwrights event will be held for the JMU and

Harrisonburg community 8/25-8/26

Madison New Works Laboratory (MNWL) is housed in JMU’s Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Forbes Center has multiple venues for presentation of works including a Concert Hall, Recital Hall, Studio Theatre, and Mainstage Theatre. Harrisonburg is situated in the Shenandoah Valley region of VA between Charlottesville, Richmond, and Washington DC.

Process to upload your play:

Please upload your materials here: https://form.jotform.com/222694817588170

First 200 plays will be accepted and/or plays will be accepted until January 30, 2023. The two finalists will be announced by April 15, 2023. Please note the following when uploading your materials:

Please do not upload more than one play/work.

The following documents are required:

Cover letter introducing yourself and stating three specific objectives you have for a development process (250 word max)

Artist Bio (250 word max)

Play synopsis (250 word max)

A blind copy of a 10-page sample

A blind copy of a working draft of your play

Proof of rights (required for any material that is not your own)

BIAI’S MONOLOGUE COMPETITION

Website

Deadline: December 1, 2022

It is our hope that by connecting Black playwrights (wherever they are located) with stories from Black Appalachian communities, we can:Create monologues that can be developed into full-length plays
Create work that explores the Black Appalachian experience, both past and present
Establish and cultivate relationships with Black playwrights and other Black theatre artists
Give audiences accessibility to new perspectives on life in Appalachia

Monologue Submission Guidelines
  • Playwright must be Black.
  • Monologues must be set in Appalachia. (See link below for list of qualifying states/counties as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission)
  • https://www.arc.gov/appalachian_region/CountiesinAppalachia.asp
  • Monologues must be 5-7 minutes in length (190 words = 1 minute).
  • Monologues must be unpublished and not have had a professional production.
  • Monologues must be written using prompts below.
  • Monologues must be submitted electronically.
Please submit monologues to: tjackson@bartertheatre.com
2023 Monologue Submission Deadline: December 1, 2022

5-7 monologues will be selected to be performed during Barter’s Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights (Jan./Feb. 2023 – date TBD)

Saturday, November 12, 2022

SheNYC Festival

Website

Deadline: November 15, 2022 at 11:59 PM

Script submissions for the 2023 SheNYC Theater Festival will be open through November 15, 2022 at 11:59pm PST. If you’re interested in submitting, read on below to learn more about the process!

SheNYC Provides:

THEATER RENTAL

The rental of the historic Connelly Theater in the East Village, a beautiful 99-seat proscenium theatre and all of the equipment that goes inside of it:All light and curtain rentals
Laptop and speaker system for sound cues
Miscellaneous tech items like gaff tape, common tools, etc
A 5-hour long tech slot to tech your show
General Liability Insurance for your time inside the theater (note that this is separate from the insurance required by AEA if you hire AEA actors)

THEATER STAFF

We provide the staff IN the theater to make your tech and performances run smoothly, including:A Production Manager and Associate Production Manager to run your tech and call your show
A lighting designer to design your lights and program the light board during your tech
A sound technician to make sure your sound cues run smoothly
1-2 additional backstage crew members to use in a way that best fits your show
Full front of house staff – Ushers, Box Office, Concessions, and House Manager

SOME SET PIECES & PROPS 

We provide some limited miscellaneous set pieces that will be shared by all of the shows, exact pieces TBD. In the past, we’ve had tables, chairs, and couches to offer to all of our productions. Our Production Manager will poll the shows in advance of tech to get an idea of what the furniture needs may be.

We also have a Materials for the Arts (MFTA) membership, which provides free materials for arts nonprofits. We’ll set up a group visit to their warehouse in Queens so you can get free set, props, and costume items.
An upright piano in the space.

MARKETING & ADVERTISING

We have a marketing campaign advertising the festival as a whole with social media ads, Google Ads, and various ads on other digital outlets that theatergoers frequent.

A SHOW MENTOR

Unique to SheNYC, we provide a Mentor to each show. This is a member of our Festival staff who is there to guide you through the festival process, offer advice, and be an extra set of hands to help out as needed.

MISCELLANEOUS

Some other tools and items we provide are: We pay for your first $200 in rehearsal studio space
Playbill for all shows
A closing night party with awards determined by a panel of industry judges
Full ticketing system managed by SheNYC Box Office staff
Production photography & videography
$5 for every in-person full-price ticket sold to your show; and our Tip The Writers program allows patrons to leave you a tip for digital performances, which we pay out to you at the end of the Festival
A life-long community of artists who will support all of your work in the future!

You Provide:

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

You can choose to work with Union or non-Union artists.If you do hire AEA actors, you will need to manage your contract or code with them, pay them the amounts dictated by your contract with AEA, and provide the insurance required by AEA (your show mentor can help explain!)

Any other creative team members (except a lighting designer, which SheNYC provides) that you think you need to build the world of your show. Just note that with limited tech and load-in time, we recommend you keep it simple!

DESIGN PIECES

Any additional set, costumes, and props that aren’t covered by our shared pieces or MFTA warehouse.
If your show requires a band, you/your musicians should bring their own instruments beyond a piano.​

REHEARSAL STUDIO SPACE

You handle the entire rehearsal process before you get into the SheNYC Theater. Booking rehearsal studios tends to be the biggest expense in your budget, so we have some partnerships with local studios to get you discounts on those costs.

*New to 2022: Due to a generous grant, we’re able to cover the first $200 toward rehearsal studios!*

“ELBOW GREASE” MARKETING

While we manage paid ads for the festival, we need your help to spread the word about your show to your networks! You likely won’t need or want to put money into this — just some old-fashioned effort of starting an Instagram for your show, emailing your network to let them know about your performances, and otherwise spreading the word to family & friends.

Friday, November 11, 2022

Equity Library Theater of New York Winter 2023 Virtual Play Festival

Website

Deadline:  March 30. 2023

Submissions are now being accepted for the Equity Library Theater of New York Winter 2023 Virtual Play Festival. Seeking short plays (no more than 15 pp/minutes), from playwrights from around the world. 

Also seeking monologues (no more than 4pp/minutes). 

Musicals welcome! 

We post your YouTube link of the performance to the festival site for voting. We will also present selected plays in person in the spring of 2023 in Midtown, at no cost to anyone. One submission per playwright. No submission fees. 

Please include name, address, telephone number and email address on your submission. 

We do not produce your work; we provide a venue for you to present actors performing your play. There are no costs involved for anyone. Seeking actors and directors, too! 

Email: equitylibrarytheater@gmail.com.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Last Frontier Theater Conference

Website

Deadline: November 15, 2022

Up to 200 submissions will be accepted from new applicants; at that point, full-length submissions will only be open for Alaskans, past participants. New folks will still be able to submit plays 30 minutes and under. The final deadline for everyone is November 15, 2022.

Selected plays will be presented in the Play Lab in Valdez, Alaska, June 11-17. 

Participating authors selected for the Play Lab must be in Valdez for the reading. 

They are responsible for their own travel expenses and will be required to register for the Conference ($100).
  • Submission guidelines. 20-120 minutes in length.
  • Any genre except musicals.
  • Not published (i.e. still interested in feedback on the script).
  • Ten actors maximum (not roles).
  • One submission per author. 

If you have any questions, contact Coordinator Dawson Moore. To submit, click here.

Monday, November 7, 2022

The Playwrights Group Weekly Workshop

 


The Weekly Workshop

Join our nationwide community of playwrights on Zoom. It’s a great way to stay connected and motivated.

 

Participating in a weekly workshop can give you the kick you need to see your script through from beginning to end.  And when your play is ready — we’ll present it in a reading open to the public. 

 

 

Sit in on a session and see for yourself!

Tuesdays or Thursdays 7 - 9:30pm EST

 

Check out our website for more details and rates. 

 

Script Consultations

 

If you don’t have time for the workshop but have a script you’d like some feedback on — just send a PDF of your script and you’ll get a critique via email and/or video conference. See website for rates.

 

Richard Caliban has worked with  individuals on their scripts from all over the world — Indonesia, China, Greece, Australia, Serbia, as well as right here in New York. A script consultation will provide you with feedback on the structural soundness of your story, the dramatic arc of your protagonist, thematic unity and much more.

 

Online One-on-One Courses

 

If you’re looking for more, check out our One on One Online Playwriting Courses:

 

       The Art of Playwriting

       Write a Play in 10 Weeks

 

Both are with instructor Richard Caliban, and since it’s One on One, the courses can be adjusted to fit your level of experience. 

 

Please visit our website for further Info and Rates: 

www.theplaywrightsgroup.com

 

Contact us at 

scripts@theplaywrightsgroup.com

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