Deadline: May 31, 2025
or when 100 submissions are received
Call for Submissions - The People’s Theatre Playwrights Unit 2025
The People’s Theatre is seeking playwrights whose voices, experiences, and perspectives emerge from communities that have been historically excluded from the American theatre. We are especially focused on uplifting the work of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ artists.
This Playwrights Unit is grounded in our mission to build a more equitable, representative, and inclusive theatre landscape. Applications will be evaluated with a strong emphasis on alignment with that mission.
Three playwrights will be chosen to develop new plays each under the mentorship of award-winning playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez. The culminating plays will be showcased at The People’s Theatre New Horizons Play Reading Festival in December 2025.
YOU WILL RECEIVE:
Ongoing Support to Develop Your Play: Develop your work-in-progress into a 90 min play in workshops led by award-winning playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez.
Actor Readings and Feedback: Have actors read your latest writing during workshops and receive supportive feedback.
Insight on the business of show business and resources to access: Gain show business insights and resources from well-recognized industry members to advance your career.
Director and Actors for Staging: Have your play directed and staged by professionals.
Showcase your work: Present your play at The People’s Theatre New Horizons Reading Festival.
Shared Dinner: Enjoy meals provided during each in-person workshop.
$1500 award for your participation.
The People's Theatre will receive
The right of first refusal to produce the selected plays within three years.
ELIGIBILITY:
The applicant must have completed at least 1 full-length play or at least 2 one-act plays.
Local NYC and its surrounding areas. If not living in the NYC metropolitan area, you must be willing to travel to NYC for in-person sessions.
Must be available to attend in-person workshops and Reading Festival.
SCHEDULE:
Developmental Workshops
Wed, Aug 6, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Aug 20, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Sep 3, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Sep 17, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Sep 24, 5:30-8pm (Zoom)
Wed, Oct 22, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Nov 5, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Nov 12, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Location: The People's Theatre Office, 700 W 192nd St Suite 2, New York, NY 10040
New Horizons Reading Festival
Dec 1- Dec 7, 2025
Each play will have 1.5 day rehearsal that culminates in a public staged reading.
Venue: TBA
Reflection meeting
Wed, Jan 21, 2026, 5:30-7pm
SUBMISSION SCHEDULE
May 31, 2025: Submissions Close, or when 100 submissions are received
The week of June 16, 2025: Finalists invited to online interviews
The week of July 7, 2025: Participants Selected
For any questions regarding The People’s Theatre Playwrights Unit 2025, please email sinny@peoplestheatreproject.org.