Deadline: August 1, 2025
They will be capping submissions in each category at 300 applicants
MUSICAL SUBMISSION FORM
Fees are waived for members of WGA, Dramatists Guild, or New Play Exchange (please provide photo/copy of your membership card when submitting your script).
The Phoenix Theatre Company’s 28th Annual Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre will run January 9, 2026 – January 25, 2026. The 2026 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre will feature both curated and submitted works including: one play reading, two musical readings, a composer lyricist cabaret (featuring two different artists or writing teams), and the Choreography Lab which will set movement to musical material featured in the Festival selections. Please note that we will be capping submissions in each category at 300 applicants, so please submit early to ensure you will be considered.
All eligible submissions are welcome, and we are actively seeking submissions from artists with an Arizona connection. Limit one submission per artist per category please.
The Phoenix Theatre Company’s 28th Annual Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre will run January 9, 2026 – January 25, 2026. The 2026 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre will feature both curated and submitted works including: one play reading, two musical readings, a composer lyricist cabaret (featuring two different artists or writing teams), and the Choreography Lab which will set movement to musical material featured in the Festival selections. Please note that we will be capping submissions in each category at 300 applicants, so please submit early to ensure you will be considered.
All eligible submissions are welcome, and we are actively seeking submissions from artists with an Arizona connection. Limit one submission per artist per category please.
Please note that finalists from the 2025 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre will remain in consideration and current submissions will be considered for both the 2026 and 2027 Festivals.
The submission window is July 15, 2025 – August 1, 2025 and selections will be made some time in late October or early November 2025. Please see below for instructions and additional details.
The Phoenix Theatre Company is accepting submissions for the following:
1. Full Length Plays: Both dramatic and comedic. Selecting one for the 2026 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre.
• Plays should be original, un-produced, full-length scripts.
• To be eligible to submit, playwrights must have:
i. At least one previous work that has been performed (fully or as a reading) in another festival or at a professional theatre. Must provide documentation proof (playbill, press release, etc.)
• To champion local artists, special consideration will also be given to works where at least one member of the creative team has a connection to Arizona (current resident, studied in Arizona, etc)
• A blind copy of your script should be submitted (no names).
• Plays that have received more than two development processes (i.e. festival participation) or a professional production are not eligible.
• No screenplays please.
• No Theatre for Young Audience pieces please.
• Cast size must be limited to 6 actors or less (actors may play more than one role).
• Submission fee: $10.00
The Phoenix Theatre Company is accepting submissions for the following:
1. Full Length Plays: Both dramatic and comedic. Selecting one for the 2026 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre.
• Plays should be original, un-produced, full-length scripts.
• To be eligible to submit, playwrights must have:
i. At least one previous work that has been performed (fully or as a reading) in another festival or at a professional theatre. Must provide documentation proof (playbill, press release, etc.)
• To champion local artists, special consideration will also be given to works where at least one member of the creative team has a connection to Arizona (current resident, studied in Arizona, etc)
• A blind copy of your script should be submitted (no names).
• Plays that have received more than two development processes (i.e. festival participation) or a professional production are not eligible.
• No screenplays please.
• No Theatre for Young Audience pieces please.
• Cast size must be limited to 6 actors or less (actors may play more than one role).
• Submission fee: $10.00
Fees are waived for members of WGA, Dramatists Guild, or New Play Exchange (please provide photo/copy of your membership card when submitting your script).
We recognize that this fee may pose a barrier to interested artists and offer a fee waiver on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like to request a fee waiver, please complete the Fee Waiver Request Form before submitting your application.
• PDF attachments ONLY. Must be submitted via the submission link.
• A notice of receipt will be sent by email once your script has been received.
• Plays selected will receive a development process with a director, dramaturge, and actors. This includes a 48-hour process with about 40 hours of rehearsal time and three performed readings, with script in hand, in front of an audience.
A guided feedback session with the audience will follow the performance of the play. Questions for the talkbacks are developed with the playwrights and are facilitated by the festival director or assistant festival director.
• If selected, you must be available to be in residence for the duration of your rehearsal process during the festival. The play selected will rehearse and perform January 5 - 11, 2026. Dates subject to change.
• Airfare and lodging are provided for the festival, as well as a small honorarium. Travel to and from your home airport not included.
Full Length Musicals: Both dramatic and comedic.
We recognize that this fee may pose a barrier to interested artists and offer a fee waiver on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like to request a fee waiver, please complete the Fee Waiver Request Form before submitting your application.
• PDF attachments ONLY. Must be submitted via the submission link.
• A notice of receipt will be sent by email once your script has been received.
• Plays selected will receive a development process with a director, dramaturge, and actors. This includes a 48-hour process with about 40 hours of rehearsal time and three performed readings, with script in hand, in front of an audience.
A guided feedback session with the audience will follow the performance of the play. Questions for the talkbacks are developed with the playwrights and are facilitated by the festival director or assistant festival director.
• If selected, you must be available to be in residence for the duration of your rehearsal process during the festival. The play selected will rehearse and perform January 5 - 11, 2026. Dates subject to change.
• Airfare and lodging are provided for the festival, as well as a small honorarium. Travel to and from your home airport not included.
Full Length Musicals: Both dramatic and comedic.
Selecting two for readings for the 2026 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre.
• Musicals should be original and un-produced.
• To be eligible to submit, composers/book writers must have:
i. At least one previous work that has been performed (fully or as a reading) in another festival or at a professional theatre*
*Must provide documentation proof (playbill, press release, etc.)
• To champion local artists, special consideration will also be given to works where at least one member of the creative team has a connection to Arizona (current resident, studied in AZ, etc)
• A blind copy of your script and score should be submitted (no names).
• Please submit a full libretto and demos of at least three songs (more are recommended and do not need to be fully produced). Sheet music/score will be asked for after the first round of readings.
• No Musical Revues please.
• Jukebox Musicals are accepted but proof of rights to the songs must be provided.
• No Theatre for Young Audience musicals please.
• No more than 3 collaborators (book writer, lyricist, and composer) for each work.
• Cast size must be limited to 8 actors or less (actors may play multiple roles).
We recognize that this fee may pose a barrier to interested artists and offer a fee waiver on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like to request a fee waiver,3. please complete the Fee Waiver Request Form before submitting your application.
• PDF attachments ONLY or provide link to Dropbox, Google Drive, or other sharable platforms. Must be submitted via the submission link.
• A notice of receipt will be sent by email once your script has been received.
• Musicals selected will receive a development process with a director, music director, dramaturge, and actors. This includes a 48-hour process with about 38 hours of rehearsal time and three performed readings, with script in hand, in front of an audience. A guided feedback session with the audience will follow the performance. Questions for the talkbacks are developed with the playwrights and are facilitated by the festival director or assistant festival director.
• If your musical is selected, all collaborators must be available to be in residence for the duration of the rehearsal period during the festival. Exact timing will be determined after selection. The musical readings for the 2026 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre will rehearse and perform either January 12 – 18, 2026 or January 19 – 25, 2026. Dates subject to change.
• Airfare and lodging are provided for the festival as well as a small honorarium. Travel to and from your home airport not included.
Original Songs for our Composer/Lyricist cabaret. Selecting two composers/lyricists for our 2026 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre.
• Please submit piano sheet music and demos of 5 complete, original songs.
• Songs can be from an existing musical (of your own in development) or be standalone pieces. We are looking for a sampling of your work.
• If selected, the composer and lyricist must be available to be in residence for the week the cabaret is scheduled: January 12 – 18, 2026.
• Composers/Lyricists will receive airfare, housing, and a small honorarium. Travel to and from your home airport not included.
• No more than 2 artists per team can be eligible for housing.
• Musicals should be original and un-produced.
• To be eligible to submit, composers/book writers must have:
i. At least one previous work that has been performed (fully or as a reading) in another festival or at a professional theatre*
*Must provide documentation proof (playbill, press release, etc.)
• To champion local artists, special consideration will also be given to works where at least one member of the creative team has a connection to Arizona (current resident, studied in AZ, etc)
• A blind copy of your script and score should be submitted (no names).
• Please submit a full libretto and demos of at least three songs (more are recommended and do not need to be fully produced). Sheet music/score will be asked for after the first round of readings.
• No Musical Revues please.
• Jukebox Musicals are accepted but proof of rights to the songs must be provided.
• No Theatre for Young Audience musicals please.
• No more than 3 collaborators (book writer, lyricist, and composer) for each work.
• Cast size must be limited to 8 actors or less (actors may play multiple roles).
We recognize that this fee may pose a barrier to interested artists and offer a fee waiver on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like to request a fee waiver,3. please complete the Fee Waiver Request Form before submitting your application.
• PDF attachments ONLY or provide link to Dropbox, Google Drive, or other sharable platforms. Must be submitted via the submission link.
• A notice of receipt will be sent by email once your script has been received.
• Musicals selected will receive a development process with a director, music director, dramaturge, and actors. This includes a 48-hour process with about 38 hours of rehearsal time and three performed readings, with script in hand, in front of an audience. A guided feedback session with the audience will follow the performance. Questions for the talkbacks are developed with the playwrights and are facilitated by the festival director or assistant festival director.
• If your musical is selected, all collaborators must be available to be in residence for the duration of the rehearsal period during the festival. Exact timing will be determined after selection. The musical readings for the 2026 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre will rehearse and perform either January 12 – 18, 2026 or January 19 – 25, 2026. Dates subject to change.
• Airfare and lodging are provided for the festival as well as a small honorarium. Travel to and from your home airport not included.
Original Songs for our Composer/Lyricist cabaret. Selecting two composers/lyricists for our 2026 Richard P. Stahl Festival of New American Theatre.
• Please submit piano sheet music and demos of 5 complete, original songs.
• Songs can be from an existing musical (of your own in development) or be standalone pieces. We are looking for a sampling of your work.
• If selected, the composer and lyricist must be available to be in residence for the week the cabaret is scheduled: January 12 – 18, 2026.
• Composers/Lyricists will receive airfare, housing, and a small honorarium. Travel to and from your home airport not included.
• No more than 2 artists per team can be eligible for housing.