SUMMER SHORTS seeks ten-minute plays

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Deadline: February 15, 2026

Submit scripts to: literarymanager@theatreworks.us

SUMMER SHORTS, a ten-minute play festival at Theatreworks New Milford, one of Connecticut's oldest community theatres, is now accepting 10-minute play submissions from playwrights in the Connecticut,

Massachusetts and New York area. Submissions will be closed after sixty scripts are received. Eight will be selected for full production for one week August 10-15, 2026.

Submission deadline: February 15, 2026. No fee to submit. Stipend for the eight chosen playwrights.

Include contact information on the title page.

Put "10-minute play submission" in the subject line, please.

BECHDEL PROJECT ROO Residency 2026/27

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Deadline: February 6, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

In "A Room of One's Own," written in 1929, Virginia Woolf says, “fictitious women are too simple — contrary to the living, breathing, complex women of real life, (they) are almost always depicted only “in their relation to men.” With the ROO Residency, Bechdel Project hopes to take one more step toward creating a culture of stories with complex women who are not simply depicted in relation to men.

Residency Description, Eligibility & Timeline

In "A Room of One's Own," written in 1929, Virginia Woolf says, “fictitious women are too simple — contrary to the living, breathing, complex women of real life, (they) are almost always depicted only “in their relation to men.” With the ROO Residency, Bechdel Project hopes to take one more step toward creating a culture of stories with complex women who are not simply depicted in relation to men.

The ROO Residency is a two-year residency that supports the creation of a new work for the stage or screen. Projects must center women, and highlight untold, or underrepresented, narratives and perspectives.

The 2026/27 residency offers:

Financial Support: $5,000 of funding to fuel the creative process.

An Artistic Home: Access to the Bechdel Project's vibrant spaces in Brooklyn and Germany for writing, workshops, and readings. Bechdel Project is a "whole being" inclusive space with built in practices and community culture to support artists who: are caregivers (from littles, to elders, and in between), work multiple jobs, prioritize their mental health and well being or have specific access needs.

Curated Mentorship: Tailored guidance from the Bechdel Project team, including monthly check-ins, dramaturgy, producing, logistical, and fiduciary support.

Community Connection: Opportunities to engage with a network of feminist artists and creators.

ELIGIBILITY

• The residency is open to writers over the age of 18.
• The residency is open to feminist writers (of any intersection) whose work centers women, non-binary or underrepresented genders through a feminist lens and whose proposed script passes the Bechdel Test. Global Majority and LGBTQ+ writers are especially encouraged to apply. 
• The residency is open to writers in any area of the world and in any stage of their careers; however, priority will be given to those whose needs most align with our provided resources. 
• We do not accept scripts that have already been produced or that are currently in pre-production. We do consider and are eager to read incomplete scripts!

APPLICATION TIMELINE

January 12 - Applications Open

February 6 - Applications Close

March 10 - Finalists Selected

March 17-24 from 7-9:30pm EST - Finalist Interviews (Finalists are required to attend 1 virtual interview)

March 30 - 2026 Residency Recipient Announced

BLACK WOMAN GENIUS ~ AUNT KATHY by Rex McGregor

Rex McGregor is a New Zealand playwright. His short comedies have been produced on four continents from New York and London to Sydney and Chennai.

• Website: https://www.rexmcgregor.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rex.mcgregor/

ABOUT THE MONOLOGUE

Aunt Kathy is a shortened version of a 10-minute monologue called Farsighted. The play is about a woman on a mission to get NASA to make a big change. The character, Lena, celebrates Katherine Johnson, a pioneer working behind the scenes of the space program in its heyday. The full script was produced at Go Solo, ANDTheatre Company, Chain Theatre, New York, NY, October 10-12, 2023, performed by Elle White, directed by Judy Tucker. A video of a separate reading is available on YouTube: The Pocketfull Project, Haywire Theatre, North Wales, UK, August 11, 2023, performed by Caroline G. Pleasant, directed by Lisa Jayne. 

If you enjoy a monologue published in the BLACK WOMAN GENIUS project, we encourage you to reach out to the playwright to tell them so. If the playwright has not included an email address or website, let us know at info@nycplaywrights.org and we'll pass along your message.

EXCERPT FROM AUNT KATHY

     ~ Excerpt published by permission, all rights held by the playwright.

                 

                LENA  

 

I remember the thrill the whole planet felt in July 1969. My Aunt Kathy worked for you folks. She told me, “This is just the start, Lena. One day, we’ll vacation on the moon. If it’s not too crowded.”  

 

I asked, “Will they beam us up, like Lieutenant Uhura?”  

 

She chuckled. “You know Star Trek isn’t real.”  

 

I said, “Spaceships are. I’m gonna be a fleet commander!” A ten-year-old has mighty big dreams. But no concept of practicality. I’ve ended up in aeronautical engineering. Still, you inspired me then, NASA. Now, it’s my turn to inspire you.  

Let’s get your mojo back. Revive what Aunt Kathy called “that old Apollo program spirit.” The time’s ripe. The world’s counting down the days till the satellite sends its first images. I love the fact that even the experts don’t have a clue what we’ll see. Only one thing’s for sure. The universe is gonna blow our minds.