Deadline: October 14, 2025
Early submissions are encouraged.
Festival Dates: December 8-22, 2025
The Gene Frankel Theatre Festival is accepting submissions for its winter edition running from December 8th through December 22nd.
The applicants will need to produce the work - director, casting, and all production elements. The Gene Frankel Theatre will help with setting up your technical needs such as lighting, sound, and projections.
Eligible Work
Short plays (maximum 15 minutes)
One-act plays (up to 60 minutes)
All genres are considered, including drama, comedy, movement-based work, and experimental forms. Submitted work should be New York premieres. (Note: We are committed to showcasing works that have never been produced in New York before December 8, 2025. Participation in festivals counts as a production. Staged readings, private workshops, and brief excerpt presentations do notcount as productions.) All work MUST be unpublished.
Each play should have 1 - 5 actors. No more than 5 actors will be permitted. Cast and crew should be non-union and 18 and older.
Selection Criteria
Pieces will be selected based on artistic merit, originality, clarity of vision, and suitability for festival programming. The goal is to present a high-quality, varied lineup. Submission does not guarantee selection.
Playwrights, whose play has been selected, will be contacted by Oct 17.
Submission Materials
- Full script in PDF format
- Brief synopsis
- Character breakdown (Each play should have a maximum of 5 actors)
- Indication of category: short play (up to 15 minutes) or one-act (up to 60 minutes)
- Production history, if applicable
Please confirm this is a New York Premiere (Note: We are committed to showcasing works that have never been produced in New York before December 8, 2025. Participation in festivals counts as a production. Staged readings, private workshops, and brief excerpt presentations do not count as productions.)
Limit two submissions per applicant.
Optional: Playwright bio, director, cast, brief tech/staging notes, prior production photos or media (if available), and social media or website links may also be included to support your submission.
Participation Details
No submission fee. All participants must be available from December 8th through December 22nd.
A $100 participation fee for short plays and a $150 participation fee for one act plays for selected works will apply.
Awards
Selected productions will be eligible for awards, including Best Play, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director. Awards will be given in both short play and one-act categories.
Festival Format
Each selected play will be presented in one of several curated blocks. Each block will run approximately 90 minutes (including intermission) and receive three performances during the two-week performance schedule. The Festival will conclude with a Gala event, on December 22nd, featuring guest performances and an awards ceremony.
How to Submit
Send all required materials to: GeneFrankelTheatrePlayFestival@gmail.com
Subject line: Gene Frankel Theatre Festival – Title of Play
Awards
Selected productions will be eligible for awards, including Best Play, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director. Awards will be given in both short play and one-act categories.
Festival Format
Each selected play will be presented in one of several curated blocks. Each block will run approximately 90 minutes (including intermission) and receive three performances during the two-week performance schedule. The Festival will conclude with a Gala event, on December 22nd, featuring guest performances and an awards ceremony.
How to Submit
Send all required materials to: GeneFrankelTheatrePlayFestival@gmail.com
Subject line: Gene Frankel Theatre Festival – Title of Play