Deadline: June 14. 2025
but may close the window for submissions once 500 ten-minute plays have been received
SUBMISSION FORM
The “OOF! On One Foot” Contest is part of the Jewish Plays Project, plays2gather and the Berkshire Theater Group’s 2nd Festival of New Jewish Plays, to be held August 28-31, 2025 at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, MA. Up to six selected 10-minute plays will receive cash prizes, and their plays will be produced by the JPP in the Festival.
The “OOF! On One Foot” Contest is part of the Jewish Plays Project, plays2gather and the Berkshire Theater Group’s 2nd Festival of New Jewish Plays, to be held August 28-31, 2025 at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, MA. Up to six selected 10-minute plays will receive cash prizes, and their plays will be produced by the JPP in the Festival.
2025 Prompt: Moving Forward at the edge of the Unknown : In one of the first freedom stories, Moses leads the Jewish people to the edge of a dangerous unknown. They respond: “Were there not enough graves in mitzrayim? You had to bring us here?” Moses appeals to G-d, but is told simply “Go forward.” Then one brave soul, Nachson, simply moves into the abyss, and the way becomes clear. Channeling the courage (chutzpah?) of Nachson, the JPP and p2g seek a range of 10-minute plays that ask: What does it take to move ahead in these times, when the way seems blocked or uncertain? We invite responses that reflect the broadest range of Jewish experiences and wisdom including (and especially) humor.
The Contest is inspired by Hillel the Sage’s teaching summarizing the whole Torah while standing on one foot: “That which is hateful to you, do not do unto your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Now, go and learn.”
FULL CONTEST ELIGIBILITY
Eligible plays:
The Contest is inspired by Hillel the Sage’s teaching summarizing the whole Torah while standing on one foot: “That which is hateful to you, do not do unto your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Now, go and learn.”
FULL CONTEST ELIGIBILITY
Eligible plays:
- must contain significant Jewish themes, characters, content, or points of view.
- must respond to the 2025 prompt above – Moving Forward at the Edge of the Unknown.
- will have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 actors
- You can apply with more than one ten minute play for this contest, as long as the writer feels all submissions connect with the prompt
- We do not accept musicals at this time.
- do not need to be created for this Contest, but should not have already been published.
- Plays submitted can be on any topic, with any characters, but readers will be evaluating the ten minute plays in relation to these teachings, and the ways they inspire us to move forward in the world.
CHECKLIST
- Plays must be in a single PDF document.
- Plays must include a title page without the author’s identifying information.
- Plays must include a character breakdown, which includes a doubling scheme for six actors if the play has more than six characters.
We acknowledge that with the variety of theatrical styles and artistic forms, a ten minute play may be more or less than 10 pages. However, the running time for each play should not exceed 10 minutes.
Please note that while we accept plays in many formats, we prefer the Dramatists Guild Standard Format.
TIMELINE
Ten minute plays will be received on a rolling basis beginning May 1.
Jewish Plays Project will accept plays through June 14, 2025, but may close the window for submissions once 500 ten-minute plays have been received.
No entry fees. Application and further details- https://jewishplaysproject.org/artists/oof/
No entry fees. Application and further details- https://jewishplaysproject.org/artists/oof/