Deadline: February 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM
SUBMISSION FORM
The Strides Collective is currently accepting applications from queer playwrights in the Mid-Atlantic Region for our inaugural Strides Collective Commission (SCC). One selected playwright will receive a stipend of $500 and work closely with the Collective over the course of a year to develop their original idea for a full length, modern queer play, culminating in a produced staged reading of the new play in 2026.
The Strides Collective is currently accepting applications from queer playwrights in the Mid-Atlantic Region for our inaugural Strides Collective Commission (SCC). One selected playwright will receive a stipend of $500 and work closely with the Collective over the course of a year to develop their original idea for a full length, modern queer play, culminating in a produced staged reading of the new play in 2026.
In order to qualify for the SCC, the following criteria must be met:
Playwright self-identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
Playwright resides in the Mid-Atlantic Region (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia)
Playwright has never had a play professionally produced (i.e. with AEA contracts). Readings, workshops, community, collegiate, and semi-professional productions are OK.
Playwright is not currently a student in an undergraduate program. Note: current undergraduate students who are seniors and plan to graduate in Spring 2025 may still apply.
Playwright self-identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
Playwright resides in the Mid-Atlantic Region (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia)
Playwright has never had a play professionally produced (i.e. with AEA contracts). Readings, workshops, community, collegiate, and semi-professional productions are OK.
Playwright is not currently a student in an undergraduate program. Note: current undergraduate students who are seniors and plan to graduate in Spring 2025 may still apply.
For this opportunity, we are looking for wholly original ideas that have not yet been worked on or written, as the intent is to nurture the development of the script from the very beginning.
In preparing your submission, please keep in mind the following guidelines that Strides uses in determining which type of plays to develop and produce. We are currently looking for ideas for plays that:
- Speak on the current queer experience
- Contain dynamic, well-rounded queer characters
- Are set in the present, the near past, or the near future
- Are modern in language, perspective, and theme
- Are grounded in realism or magical realism
In addition, we are NOT looking for ideas for plays that:
- Are historical, period pieces, and/or biographical in nature
- Primarily feature high-school aged characters
- Solely focus on explicit queer trauma or stereotypes
- Are adaptations of Shakespeare, myths, classic stories, or any other pre-existing material of any kind
Finally, this opportunity is supporting the development of a full length play by one playwright. Therefore, we are not currently accepting ideas for musicals, one-act plays, solo shows, or pieces written by multiple collaborators.