Deadline: October 31, 2025
OR until they receive 150 submissions - they have met their limit - do not send
The 9th Annual New Play Lab seeks to connect national established and emerging playwrights to participate at the 43rd William Inge Theatre Festival, April 23-25, 2026.
The 9th Annual New Play Lab seeks to connect national established and emerging playwrights to participate at the 43rd William Inge Theatre Festival, April 23-25, 2026.
Each year, 12 to 14 Playwrights are connected with professional playwrights, directors, dramaturgs and actors. For a peek at our last Festival’s New Play Lab Recipients and Guest Artists please visit www.ingecenter.org.
Application Guidelines
- All scripts must be submitted in PDF format.
- This is a Blind Review. Your title page may not have any identifying information — no author name or address — or it will be disqualified.
- Give your script file the name 2026 + Title (for instance, 2026 Bus Stop).
- Limit script length to a 30 minute read-time – not page count. (Submissions longer than 30 minutes will be disqualified).
- Character list must include character description as well as any descriptions relevant for casting.
- Applicants must enter a short synopsis of their play as it might appear in the Play Lab program. (Maximum 75 words.)
If you have any questions, feel free to email program coordinators directly: submissions@ingecenter.org
Selected New Play Lab playwrights receive:A professional staged reading of their play before an audience on the main stage of the William Inge Theatre
Feedback on their play facilitated by national theatre professionals.
Additional playwriting classes and seminars exclusive to New Play Lab participants, including a masterclass with William Inge Theater Festival guest playwrights.
Networking opportunities to meet with theater professionals from across the country.
Entry to all festival events, including two meal events.
Entry to all festival events, including two meal events.
Meal vouchers to enjoy local restaurants in William Inge’s Hometown of Independence, Kansas.
Applications are now open to submission and will close October 31, 2025. We will only be accepting the first 150 submissions.
The submitted plays will be blind reviewed (the playwright’s name will not be revealed) by a panel of national theatre professionals.
Applications are now open to submission and will close October 31, 2025. We will only be accepting the first 150 submissions.
The submitted plays will be blind reviewed (the playwright’s name will not be revealed) by a panel of national theatre professionals.
Requirements
Submit a play
- Playwrights may submit either a 10-minute play or one-act play, no more than 30 minutes read-time. Plays that are longer than 30 minutes will be disqualified.
- Plays should require no more than 6 actors. The play may be designed to have actors play multiple roles. If that is the case, doubling must be indicated in the character list.
- Character list must include character breakdown (age, race and gender identity for the purpose of casting).
- Plays may not include the author’s name or contact information anywhere on the script.
- Playwrights may only submit one play per cycle.
Attend
- Playwrights are required to attend the Festival. If you cannot attend, you are ineligible to apply.
- Each playwright is required to attend the New Play Lab Masterclass and Workshops taught by professional playwrights during the Inge Festival.
- Each playwright is required to attend the reading of their play during the Play Lab. More details will be sent out to those accepted.
Each playwright is responsible for their own travel, transportation, and lodging needs.
Local lodging information will be shared with those accepted. (Complementary transportation to and from the Tulsa Airport is available upon prior arrangement.)
Conference Fees
There are no fees for the application process. Selected Playwrights will be responsible for their travel and lodging.
Professional Public Reading:
Playwrights will receive a professional public reading of their play, as well as feedback from national theatre artists.
Opportunities to Network:
Each year the New Play Lab creates a new cohort of playwrights, in addition to opportunities to network with our professional Guest Artists.
Exclusive Seminars and Masterclass:
The New Play Lab Playwrights receive at least two masterclasses exclusive to New Play Lab playwrights.
Festival Celebration:
New Play Lab Playwrights will have full access to three days of all public and private Festival events, including the other play lab readings, productions, social events, workshops, panels, meals and much more.