Deadline: October 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST
We will accept the first 500 plays
The New Works Festival is designed to bring living playwrights and their words to the center of conversation. All plays are presented as Staged Readings, as to keep the words first.
Held in sunny San Diego, our annual New Works Festival solicits global submissions for new works, but uses the talents of local actors and directors, which allows for local and international discourse.
In preparation for the weekend of readings, participating playwrights, directors, dramaturgs, actors, and TTC artistic staff gather to read and discuss the plays, supporting the playwrights development of their work. The New Works Festival culminates in a 3-day event of readings, discussions, and social events.
The 2026 New Works Festival will be presented for a public audience April 2026.
Learn more about TTC’s mission and history online at www.trinityttc.org.
2026 Open Submission Guidelines
To Submit Your Play:
Please submit completing this Google form.
We will accept the first 500 plays we receive that meet our guidelines. We are now accepting submissions. The application process will remain open until 11:59pm PST, October 6, 2025.
Each applicant will be notified by the end of January 2026 whether or not their play has been accepted into the evaluation process. By February 15, each playwright whose play has been accepted for consideration will be informed of our final decision.
Award: $100 for full length plays; $50 for shorts.
FAQ
1) What is the theme for this year? Share Your Story
2) Do you provide travel accommodations. No. We can offer a virtual option for out-of-town playwrights to be part of the rehearsal process. Recordings of the performances may be made only with permissions from the playwright.
Are 10-minute plays being accepted? Yes, those will be considered a “short play” for this festival.
Evaluation
Scripts are evaluated based on the following criteria: Theme alignment, Originality, Audience Appeal, Character Development & Casting Options, Playwright Location, Dialogue, Feasibility of Production, Social Impact, Artistic Merit.
We very much appreciate your interest. Please address any questions to vivian@trinityttc.org and we will get back to you as soon as we’re able.
The New Works Festival is designed to bring living playwrights and their words to the center of conversation. All plays are presented as Staged Readings, as to keep the words first.
Held in sunny San Diego, our annual New Works Festival solicits global submissions for new works, but uses the talents of local actors and directors, which allows for local and international discourse.
In preparation for the weekend of readings, participating playwrights, directors, dramaturgs, actors, and TTC artistic staff gather to read and discuss the plays, supporting the playwrights development of their work. The New Works Festival culminates in a 3-day event of readings, discussions, and social events.
The 2026 New Works Festival will be presented for a public audience April 2026.
Learn more about TTC’s mission and history online at www.trinityttc.org.
2026 Open Submission Guidelines
- TTC’s submission process is open to all playwrights, though priority may be given to those residing in San Diego, CA. Please review carefully:Plays must not have yet had a full professional production, nor be currently contracted for a full professional production.
- TTC will only accept one play by each playwright for consideration
- TTC will only accept plays submitted directly by playwrights. Agents, theatres, and fellow artists are encouraged to share the word with playwrights, but no third party submissions will be accepted.
- TTC will not accept musicals for the 2025 New Works Festival
To Submit Your Play:
Please submit completing this Google form.
We will accept the first 500 plays we receive that meet our guidelines. We are now accepting submissions. The application process will remain open until 11:59pm PST, October 6, 2025.
Each applicant will be notified by the end of January 2026 whether or not their play has been accepted into the evaluation process. By February 15, each playwright whose play has been accepted for consideration will be informed of our final decision.
Award: $100 for full length plays; $50 for shorts.
FAQ
1) What is the theme for this year? Share Your Story
2) Do you provide travel accommodations. No. We can offer a virtual option for out-of-town playwrights to be part of the rehearsal process. Recordings of the performances may be made only with permissions from the playwright.
Are 10-minute plays being accepted? Yes, those will be considered a “short play” for this festival.
Evaluation
Scripts are evaluated based on the following criteria: Theme alignment, Originality, Audience Appeal, Character Development & Casting Options, Playwright Location, Dialogue, Feasibility of Production, Social Impact, Artistic Merit.
We very much appreciate your interest. Please address any questions to vivian@trinityttc.org and we will get back to you as soon as we’re able.