Deadline: December 1, 2025 11:59 PM
SUBMISSION FORM
Please review all calls to determine the best place for your work.
Emerging Artists: For writers and writing teams 16 to 25 years old.
TO SUBMIT TO “EMERGING ARTISTS”
Please complete this form by 11:59pm on December 1, 2024.
Debut Artists: For writers and writing teams over 50 years old.
TO SUBMIT TO “DEBUT ARTISTS”
Please complete this form by 11:59pm on December 1, 2024. Selected Debut Artists
works will receive notification of status in February 2025.
Unstaged Works: No age restrictions for writers or writing teams.
TO SUBMIT TO “UNSTAGED WORKS”
Please complete this form by 11:59pm on December 1, 2024. Selected Unstaged Works
will receive notification of status in February 2025.
Administrative Criteria
● Use the form provided on the Live Arts website to submit all work.
○ Please submit as a single .doc, .docx, or .pdf format where the file name
contains the work’s title only.
○ Do not include the playwright’s personal details, including names, in the
submission title.
● Standard play script format is preferred, but not required.
○ Please use a standard, 12-point font and clearly marked character
names connected to their dialogue.
○ Please number all pages.
● Please include a cover page for your work and a brief synopsis of the work.
○ The script's cover page should contain the work’s title only; please remove
any identifying information including names, addresses, or other details from
submission.
○ The second page of the script should contain a brief synopsis of the play
(less than 250 words) and a complete cast list that includes relevant
character information.
The deadline to submit is midnight,
December 1, 2024.
Because of the high volume of submissions, we are unable to provide feedback on any
work submitted, general updates on programming timelines and notifications, or solicited
comments on submission status.
Note on disqualifications: As a local theater company with community-based volunteers,
we work hard to maintain confidentiality for submissions. Further, our guidelines support
this volunteer-powered organization to meet production deadlines. For these reasons,
please know that we cannot judge, and will remove from consideration, any work with
identifying information about the playwright/s or otherwise not observing administrative
requirements.
Need formatting assistance?
Contact submissions@livearts.org for support.
Agreements & Acknowledgements
Selected finalists will receive notification in February/March 2025. All accepted works will
receive details regarding rehearsal coordination, programming schedule information, and
production package offers following their acceptance. Work may be withdrawn by
submitting a written request. Please email with the subject line “WITHDRAW [Title]” to
submissions@livearts.org by March 1, 2025.
By submitting work, participants agree to allow Live Arts a potential production of their
play during WATERWORKS, with any/all performances occurring between May 16 and
June 1, 2025. This may include workshopping/editing the play as needed with a director
and cast, troubleshooting technical and production details with artistic staff, and/or
providing additional materials as needed to support dramaturgical considerations.
By submitting work, participants grant permission for Live Arts to create
photography/video of the production for marketing, grant submission, and education
purposes. While agreeing to those permissions, all writers retain ownership/copyright of
their work to re-stage, publish, or license to others in the future.
Live Arts is now accepting submissions for the third annual WATERWORKS, to be held
May 16 through June 1, 2025, in Charlottesville, Virginia. WATERWORKS is a celebration of
new theatrical works and voices at Live Arts and beyond! After two successful and
dynamic rounds, we are proud for WATERWORKS to return, continuing Live Arts' long
history of showcasing local and emerging playwrights.
Live Arts is a volunteer-powered organization. Selected works will be staffed and
staged by non-union volunteers engaged by Live Arts’ artistic production team.
Get involved! Contact waterworks@livearts.org.
Questions? Contact submissions@livearts.org.
We are committed to cultivating new theater pieces, supporting playwrights in the
development of their work, and diversifying the stories told on our stages. As a new
endeavor within a predominantly white theater, we seek to construct diverse programming
and volunteer teams representative of the abundant talent and craftsmanship across our
dynamic community.
● Submissions are free.
● The deadline to submit is December 1, 2024.
● Playwrights and playwriting teams may submit a single work for consideration in
multiple categories.
● There is a total submission limit of two (2) works per writer, or writing team.
● Please submit all requested materials at the time of submission.
● Selected works will receive production package details in February/March 2025.
Reading and Selection Process
We employ an anonymous submission process to eliminate any unintentional bias on the
part of our team of qualified readers. All scripts are considered by multiple readers
prioritizing artistic distinction to determine finalists.
Final programming is selected and curated by New Works Director Adrienne Oliver,
together with a core artistic team at Live Arts, organization staff, and other local artists
representing the cultural wealth and expertise of the community.
Interested in reading?
Contact waterworks@livearts.org.
Artistic Distinction
In addition to artistic distinction, detailed below, our readers value re/imagination,
discovery, humor, thrill, awareness, and complexity. With an inclusive spirit and ignited
thinking, we are reading with empathic celebration for the vulnerability of creation and
compassion for the plurality of human experience and stories.
We value:
● Works that explore culture, humanity, and justice-minded themes.
● Works that celebrate theatricality, expression, and connectivity.
● Works prominently centering marginalized voices, narratives, and ideas.
● Age-embracing works, with opportunities for senior and/or junior artists.
● Innovative and thought-provoking material.
● Works exploring language, dialogue, communication, ideas, and energy.
● Works by historically erased artists and writers.
The WATERWORKS programming team is unwaveringly committed to disrupting patterns
and practices that perpetuate harm and erasure in our processes. Recognizing intentions
and impact are not synonymous, we own failures to effectively protect and champion
underrepresented artists in the past. We seek accountability in our cultural competency
and remain transparent in our efforts as we earn the community’s trust in these new works.
Questions?
Contact waterworks@livearts.org.
CALL FOR NEW WORKS
By submitting work to a specific call, applicants affirm they are the sole or co-creator and
that the work meets the particular criteria.
May 16 through June 1, 2025, in Charlottesville, Virginia. WATERWORKS is a celebration of
new theatrical works and voices at Live Arts and beyond! After two successful and
dynamic rounds, we are proud for WATERWORKS to return, continuing Live Arts' long
history of showcasing local and emerging playwrights.
Live Arts is a volunteer-powered organization. Selected works will be staffed and
staged by non-union volunteers engaged by Live Arts’ artistic production team.
Get involved! Contact waterworks@livearts.org.
Questions? Contact submissions@livearts.org.
We are committed to cultivating new theater pieces, supporting playwrights in the
development of their work, and diversifying the stories told on our stages. As a new
endeavor within a predominantly white theater, we seek to construct diverse programming
and volunteer teams representative of the abundant talent and craftsmanship across our
dynamic community.
● Submissions are free.
● The deadline to submit is December 1, 2024.
● Playwrights and playwriting teams may submit a single work for consideration in
multiple categories.
● There is a total submission limit of two (2) works per writer, or writing team.
● Please submit all requested materials at the time of submission.
● Selected works will receive production package details in February/March 2025.
Reading and Selection Process
We employ an anonymous submission process to eliminate any unintentional bias on the
part of our team of qualified readers. All scripts are considered by multiple readers
prioritizing artistic distinction to determine finalists.
together with a core artistic team at Live Arts, organization staff, and other local artists
representing the cultural wealth and expertise of the community.
Interested in reading?
Contact waterworks@livearts.org.
Artistic Distinction
In addition to artistic distinction, detailed below, our readers value re/imagination,
discovery, humor, thrill, awareness, and complexity. With an inclusive spirit and ignited
thinking, we are reading with empathic celebration for the vulnerability of creation and
compassion for the plurality of human experience and stories.
We value:
● Works that explore culture, humanity, and justice-minded themes.
● Works that celebrate theatricality, expression, and connectivity.
● Works prominently centering marginalized voices, narratives, and ideas.
● Age-embracing works, with opportunities for senior and/or junior artists.
● Innovative and thought-provoking material.
● Works exploring language, dialogue, communication, ideas, and energy.
● Works by historically erased artists and writers.
The WATERWORKS programming team is unwaveringly committed to disrupting patterns
and practices that perpetuate harm and erasure in our processes. Recognizing intentions
and impact are not synonymous, we own failures to effectively protect and champion
underrepresented artists in the past. We seek accountability in our cultural competency
and remain transparent in our efforts as we earn the community’s trust in these new works.
Questions?
Contact waterworks@livearts.org.
CALL FOR NEW WORKS
By submitting work to a specific call, applicants affirm they are the sole or co-creator and
that the work meets the particular criteria.
In each category: We consider works of all genres. We do not accept submissions over
100 pages, excluding front matter, or any musicals.
100 pages, excluding front matter, or any musicals.
We encourage one-act submissions.
All works must be original and unpublished.
Works submitted may have been produced at a school-based presentation and/or unstaged, non-professional readings, only.
Please review all calls to determine the best place for your work.
Emerging Artists: For writers and writing teams 16 to 25 years old.
TO SUBMIT TO “EMERGING ARTISTS”
Please complete this form by 11:59pm on December 1, 2024.
Selected Emerging Artists
works will receive notification of status in February 2025.
works will receive notification of status in February 2025.
Debut Artists: For writers and writing teams over 50 years old.
TO SUBMIT TO “DEBUT ARTISTS”
Please complete this form by 11:59pm on December 1, 2024. Selected Debut Artists
works will receive notification of status in February 2025.
Unstaged Works: No age restrictions for writers or writing teams.
TO SUBMIT TO “UNSTAGED WORKS”
Please complete this form by 11:59pm on December 1, 2024. Selected Unstaged Works
will receive notification of status in February 2025.
Administrative Criteria
● Use the form provided on the Live Arts website to submit all work.
○ Please submit as a single .doc, .docx, or .pdf format where the file name
contains the work’s title only.
○ Do not include the playwright’s personal details, including names, in the
submission title.
● Standard play script format is preferred, but not required.
○ Please use a standard, 12-point font and clearly marked character
names connected to their dialogue.
○ Please number all pages.
● Please include a cover page for your work and a brief synopsis of the work.
○ The script's cover page should contain the work’s title only; please remove
any identifying information including names, addresses, or other details from
submission.
○ The second page of the script should contain a brief synopsis of the play
(less than 250 words) and a complete cast list that includes relevant
character information.
The deadline to submit is midnight,
December 1, 2024.
Because of the high volume of submissions, we are unable to provide feedback on any
work submitted, general updates on programming timelines and notifications, or solicited
comments on submission status.
Note on disqualifications: As a local theater company with community-based volunteers,
we work hard to maintain confidentiality for submissions. Further, our guidelines support
this volunteer-powered organization to meet production deadlines. For these reasons,
please know that we cannot judge, and will remove from consideration, any work with
identifying information about the playwright/s or otherwise not observing administrative
requirements.
Need formatting assistance?
Contact submissions@livearts.org for support.
Agreements & Acknowledgements
Selected finalists will receive notification in February/March 2025. All accepted works will
receive details regarding rehearsal coordination, programming schedule information, and
production package offers following their acceptance. Work may be withdrawn by
submitting a written request. Please email with the subject line “WITHDRAW [Title]” to
submissions@livearts.org by March 1, 2025.
By submitting work, participants agree to allow Live Arts a potential production of their
play during WATERWORKS, with any/all performances occurring between May 16 and
June 1, 2025. This may include workshopping/editing the play as needed with a director
and cast, troubleshooting technical and production details with artistic staff, and/or
providing additional materials as needed to support dramaturgical considerations.
By submitting work, participants grant permission for Live Arts to create
photography/video of the production for marketing, grant submission, and education
purposes. While agreeing to those permissions, all writers retain ownership/copyright of
their work to re-stage, publish, or license to others in the future.