Jersey Central Theatre Company seeks plays involving New Jersey history

Website

Deadline: May 29, 2026

Please email scripts along with a short cover note by May 29th to jerseycentraltc@gmail.com

Jersey Central Theatre Company seeks new scripts of plays or screenplays (finished or in progress) involving New Jersey history for consideration for a staged reading, to be presented in celebration of the country’s Semiquincentennial, on Sunday afternoon, August 2nd at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center in Fanwood, NJ. 

The reading will be produced with professional actors under the AEA 29-Hour Reading Agreement. Ideally, scripts should be full-length or long one-acts (approximately 30 – 60 minutes) with a cast of 5 or less. 

We are especially seeking new works by regional area writers, as we prefer to have authors in attendance to participate in a talk-back/Q&A with the audience following the performance. 

There will be a $50 stipend paid to the selected author. 

Applications for the 2026-27 PlayGround-NY Writers Pool are being accepted

Website

Deadline: April 30, 2026

– 25 early-career playwrights as well as 3 alternates will be competitively selected from applications to form the Writers Pool.

– Members of the Writers Pool may submit scripts to be considered as part of the Monday Night PlayGround-NY staged reading series. Four times each season, September through March (see tentative schedule below), PlayGround-NY will announce a prompt and Writers Pool members have just four-and-a-half days to generate an original short script (max. 10 pages) inspired by the prompt. The top six scripts each round will be staged publicly with leading local directors and actors. Those not selected may submit their scripts to Recess for cold readings via zoom (see below).

– From the plays staged throughout the season, up to six will be selected for Best of PlayGround-NY (produced in April 2027).

– Writers Pool members can gain peer feedback on their work by participating in Recess cold readings (one week after each Monday Night PlayGround-NY and generally via Zoom) as well as through a staff one-on-one session (available upon request). New this year, Writers Pool Alternates will have full access to Recess.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
– Writers must reside within the five boroughs of New York City
– Writers Pool members must commit to submitting for ALL FOUR Monday Night PlayGround-NY events in a given season (see below for schedule, subject to change). Writers failing to meet the eligibility requirements must sit out the remainder of the season and one additional full season. Alternates are asked to submit each round and may be admitted to the Pool should there be an opening during the season.
– The submission of a script to Monday Night PlayGround-NY grants PlayGround-NY the exclusive option to stage the play as part of the Monday Night PlayGround-NY and, should it be so selected, to present the world premiere as part of Best of PlayGround-NY and non-exclusive option to publish the script in a “Best of PlayGround” anthology.
– Current members of the Writers Pool must reapply in order to be considered for the following season.


WHAT TO SUBMIT
– Playwrights must submit a 10-page max, properly formatted script as PDF attachment. Both previously produced and unproduced scripts are eligible. See below for formatting examples.
– The script must have the playwright’s name, address, email and phone number at the top of the first page and include a detailed cast breakdown, and all pages must be numbered.
– The script title must be labeled by Lastname, Firstname_Title (e.g., Shakespeare, William_The Tempest).
– Excerpts from longer works are not accepted but short plays that meet the above requirements and are derived from a longer work are accepted.
– BIPOC, trans/gender-non-conforming & playwrights with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
– Applications must be received by 11:59pm PT on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

To view sample script formats, click the link(s) below.
Submission Format #1
Submission Format #2

WRITERS POOL ANNOUNCEMENT
– Applicants will be notified of selections on or before August 1, 2026.
– Selected writers must attend a mandatory company meeting on Sunday, August 16 (time tbd).

2026-27 SCHEDULE (subject to change)
MNP1 Topic Announced: September 18, 2026
MNP1 Scripts Due: September 22, 2026
MNP2 Topic Announced: October 30, 2026
MNP2 Scripts Due: November 3, 2026
MNP3 Topic Announced: December 18, 2026
MNP3 Scripts Due: December 22, 2026
MNP4 Topic Announced: January 29, 2027
MNP 4 Scripts Due: February 2, 2027

SHANGRI-LA-LA ~ new comedy musical inspired by the true story of Siegfried & Roy

Shangri-La-La is a funny and unconventional new comedy musical inspired by the true story of Siegfried & Roy and the transformation of Las Vegas into a spectacle-driven family destination. 

Blending original music, magic, comedy, and a boldly theatrical visual world, the piece examines the delusion, ambition, and excess behind that cultural reinvention. Beneath its sequins and absurdity, the musical tells a real American story about illusion, image-making, and the business of fantasy.

The show will appear in New York City in April as part of the Back Door to Broadway Festival:

Shangri-La-La
Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM
American Theatre of Actors, Sargent Theatre
314 W. 54th Street, New York, NY 10019

https://hangingcowproductions.com/index.php/2025-one-act-festival/

The 2026 CWP Evolution Festival

Website

Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM

SUBMISSION FORM

The 2026 CWP EVOLUTION FESTIVAL will present original works of theater, dance, music, comedy, and interdisciplinary performance by NYC-based artists at venues across Manhattan.

In response to overwhelming demand, CWP's fifth annual Evolution Festival will host 16-20 performances in September 2026, and new this year, an additional 6-10 performances in June 2026!

Participants receive free performance & rehearsal space, marketing & technical support, a guaranteed artist fee, performance photography and archival videography, and more.

A Classic Theater seeks full-length plays

Website

Deadline: June 30, 2026

You may submit either by email to act@aclassictheatre.org
or by US Mail to Cindy Alexander, 600 Nautical Way, St. Augustine, Fl 32080

Format should be in MS Word or PDF.

A Classic Theatre in St. Augustine, Florida is seeking submissions for full length new plays for our Staged Reading Series. Plays chosen will be presented in Season 2026-2027 which begins in September, 2026.

We are looking for plays within the following parameters.

Full length, with or without intermission

No longer than 90-105 minutes

No more that 6 characters

No children or teens

Plays will be selected to be performed over the course of the 2026-2027 Season. They will be presented as a Staged Reading, with one performance, and minimal rehearsal. There will be the opportunity for audience feedback.

You may submit any number of plays but it must be a new work that has not been fully produced elsewhere.

You will be notified via email by September 30, 2026. Selected playwrights will receive a stipend of $100 for the performance.

A Classic Theatre is a 501c-3 non profit community theatre. www.aclassictheatre.org For any questions, please email Cindy at calexander@aclassictheatre.org

Sapphest NYC V Play seeks short plays

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Deadline: April 4, 2026 at 11:59 ET

Or once they reach 200 submissions 

SUBMISSION FORM

Sapphest is NYC's premier sapphic playwriting competition and play festival. The fifth installment of Sapphest will take place on 7/31/2026 + 8/1/2026 at Brooklyn Art Haus.

Eligibility:
Submissions are open to playwrights who:

• Are 18 years of age or older
• Live anywhere in the world
• Identify as Sapphic**In our context, we use “Sapphic” as an inclusive term for those who identify as women, nonbinary, trans, two-spirit, genderqueer, or agender and who experience love or attraction for others within these communities. Sapphics may identify as queer, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, aromantic, lesbian, or use another term that resonates.

Please write an 8–10 minute piece inspired by a sapphic song (think Good Luck, Babe, Honey, Lunch, Slumber Party, Where Does the Good Go, Her Body is Bible, Lipstick Lover, Fast Car, etc.). The play should have no more than four actors (you may include more than four characters, but they must be played by a maximum of four actors).

The audience will guess which song inspired each play. Please note: the play should not be a direct retelling of the song, but rather inspired by the title or lyrics. Each playwright/writing team may submit one play per submission cycle. Plays that have been submitted in previous cycles may not be resubmitted unless they have undergone substantial revision.

Plays will be selected by a committee of queer judges. All plays will be read blind. The other questions in the form will help us get to know you as an artist and understand who we are reaching, but will not be shared with the readers. Selected playwrights will be notified by the end of May and will receive a $100 stipend after the festival has completed.

Submissions close April 4th at 11:59 PM ET, or once we reach 200 submissions — whichever comes first. Please submit early!

Helpful reminders/tips:

• Make sure the title of your play is not the same as the title of the song that inspired it.
• Remove your name and any identifying information from the play and title of the document before submitting - (submissions that include identifying details may not be considered)
• Your play must not exceed 11 pages, 12pt font, standard margins.
• You cannot submit a play you've submitted in the past unless it has been significantly revised
• Only one submission per playwright or writing team.

If you have any questions, email us at sapphestnyc@gmail.com.

FIRST DRAFTS STUDENT EDITION @ 54 BELOW

Website

Deadline: April 7, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

In an industry that usually takes years to bring work in front of an audience, musical theatre songwriters and teams are called to submit their newest material.

Last October, Showpeople brought its premiere iteration of First Drafts to the Green Room 42, where it proved to be the company’s greatest success in the cabaret space, bringing in a packed audience to witness 19 singers and 4 musicians perform the never-before-heard work of 23 extremely-talented songwriters.

Now, we want to do it all again, but with a focus on bringing to life the work of student musical theatre writers with eligibility open to high school (though we won’t turn away a very talented middle schooler!) and undergraduate students.

So, if you’re in high school or pursuing an undergraduate degree, are writing a musical either alone or with a team, and would like to see a song of yours performed at 54 Below, we’re looking for you!

If interested, please use the form to submit one or two of your best songs that fit the criteria (only one per writer/team would be chosen). This can be through YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, or any easily accessible link (and don't forget to triple check the privacy settings). Include a demo(s) (obviously, it doesn't have to be highly produced) and/or ideally a PDF(s) of the sheet music.

As student writers, we understand creating both a demo and sheet music may be beyond your capabilities at this stage of your writing development, so if only one is possible, we understand, and, if you song is chosen and you are interested, part of the experience will involve working with members of the Showpeople team on how to make demos and scores of your original music that sound and look professional.

Chosen songs will be orchestrated (if they are not already) for a band of four musicians (piano, guitar, bass, and drums), rehearsed, and ultimately performed at 54 Below by professional NYC theatre performers. The writers will be encouraged (but not required) to take part in as much of this as they’d like. With our last First Drafts concert, the writers played an important part in the rehearsal process, giving great insight to the singers and music director about how to best bring their stories to life, and some even performed themselves! Additionally, writers will be asked to introduce their songs (briefly) at the concert.

Selected writers who choose to have some part in the actual performance (either presenting before or performing their song) will be considered part of the show and will therefore get in for free. However, due to the large number of writers and limited number of comps provided by the venue, if you choose to not be part of the performance in any way but only wish to attend as an audience member, you will have to purchase a ticket(s).

The deadline to submit is April 7st, 2026, and all writers will hear by May 5th, 2026 whether their work is selected or not. Writers whose work isn’t selected will be given the feedback of the selection committee.

Best of luck!

Contact showpeoplecollective@gmail.com with any questions or visit showpeopletheatrecollective.com
DURATION

Vineyard Arts Project 2026 Open Call Artist Residency | Request for Proposals

Website

Deadline: April 1, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Location: Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Vineyard Arts Project (VAP) invites applications from small budget organizations (under $1 million), collectives, or individual artists for its 2026/27 Artist Residency Program. VAP is a performing-arts residency and creative incubator dedicated to supporting the development of innovative new work in dance and theatre by emerging and established artists from around the world. The program provides dedicated time, housing, and studio resources in a collaborative environment designed to foster experimentation, artistic dialogue, and meaningful engagement with audiences.

Residents are hosted on VAP’s Edgartown campus, which includes multiple rehearsal studios and shared living facilities, enabling artists to focus intensively on the creative process while in residence.

Selected artists/teams will receive:

• Exclusive use of VAP residential and studio facilities for one residency week
• On-site housing accommodations for project participants
• Access to shared kitchen, living, and gathering spaces
• Administrative and logistical support from VAP staff
• Opportunity for an informal public sharing or presentation (format determined by project needs and conditions)

VAP is committed to accessibility and will work with selected residents to accommodate reasonable housing or caregiving needs where possible.

Please note that selected organizations and artists will be responsible for their own travel to and from Martha's Vineyard for their residency period.

Residency Structure

Residencies are typically one week in duration, though this can be flexible depending on the needs of accepted applicants.

Proposed 2026 Residency Periods:Summer Sessions: Limited availability June–August 2026
Fall Sessions: September–November 2026
Spring Sessions: April–May 2027

Applicants will indicate availability and preferred session windows.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be developing a new or in-progress work in dance, theatre, musical theatre, or multidisciplinary performance
• Demonstrate a clear artistic process and contextual grounding of their work
• Show interest in collaboration and artistic exchange
• Be able to commit fully to selected residency dates
• Show a high level of artistic excellence in their proposed work

Priority considerations:

Collaborative teams (solo artists welcome but may receive secondary priority)
Projects engaging diverse audiences or perspectives
Organizations that do not have their own space

Equity Statement

Vineyard Arts Project does not discriminate in program access or participation on the basis of identity, background, or protected status. Applications are welcomed from artists of all perspectives and experiences.

Timeline (Proposed 2026 Cycle)

Application Opens: March 1st 2026
Application Deadline: April 1st 2026
Notification of Decisions: Late May 2026

For any questions about this application, please contact:

Sam Hood Adrain

Associate Producer & General Manager

sam@vineyardarts.org

Vineyard Arts Project

Vocal Bodies: Monologues of Disabled Experience seeks monologues for publication

Website

Deadline: April 1, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Smith & Kraus seeks monologues that speak to the experience of disability in some way.

 

Please note that scripts with disabled characters do not necessarily need to focus on disability as the main topic. Additionally, the featured character does not need to be disabled, so long as disability is meaningfully explored in some way. 

We are particularly interested in informed works that highlight the complexities (good, bad, or otherwise) of the disabled experience. 

Disability is diverse, and we are looking for monologues that reflect that diversity in content, tone, and form. Special consideration will be given to monologues that are audition-ready. Pieces that “other” disabled people or rely on stereotypes will not be considered. 

Multiple submissions are fine. 

Work cannot have received previous publication. 

Payment for contributing playwrights will be a split of the net income from sales of that book with the publishers and editors. 

Questions may be directed to: mpoblete@tamu.edu and krothman@tamu.edu

Tiny Beautiful Letter Project

Website

Deadline: May 11, 2026 by 7:00 PM (PDT)

SUBMISSION FORM

We invite you to take part in a meaningful, community-wide initiative inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire and our production of it, as part of our Immersive Experience program, which seeks to highlight and explore the key themes of each production.

Through the Tiny Beautiful Letter Project, we are collecting anonymous letters that are raw, vulnerable, and honest, exploring the feelings most people don’t know how to express: grief, death, heartbreak, loss, identity, loneliness, love, and everything in between. Selected letters will be part of a culminating special event, where some may be read aloud to an audience or shared in creative ways.

Submission Guidelines

Stay Anonymous: Do not include personal identifying information; you may sign with a pseudonym or phrase.

Word Count: While there is no strict limit, we encourage letters of at least 500 words.

Be Honest & Thoughtful: Share your truths while being mindful of your words.

Themes We Seek: Grief, loss, resilience, identity, vulnerability, or questions seeking guidance.

Why Participate?
The Tiny Beautiful Letter Project celebrates the beauty and depth of human experience. Your unique contribution will help highlight the small yet powerful connections that sustain us all.

Regardless if you submit or not, we invite you to join us on Saturday, June 6 for the live reading of selected letters and encourage you to also attend a performance of Rabbit Hole and engage with our immersive events.

Together, let’s celebrate the power of storytelling, honesty, and connection.

Together, let’s celebrate the power of storytelling and connection.

Bread & Wine 2nd Annual Christmas Short Play Competition

Website

Deadline: April 10, 2026

Or when 120 scripts have been submitted

Email scripts to breadandwinetheatreco@gmail.com

• Seeking scripts between 1 & 13 pages (3-25min runtime) 
• Can be Performed in the Round with no minimal set & 1 to 5 actors 
• Some relationship to Christmas or Christmas Themes 
• Aligns with Bread & Wine's Mission of promoting the Beauty of a Virtuous Life. We hope our audiences come away from every show having fallen in love with something good 
• Original Plays Only (no previous productions) 

Submissions open Feb 1st close Apr 10th or on the 120th submission
Finalists will be selected for a Zoom table read the weekend of May 16th/17th. They will then have until June 7th to resubmit a revised version to the panelists. 

1-3 winners will be chosen, compensated, and performed as part of Bread & Wine's Christmas Short Play Festival 

1 script limit per playwright. Note finalists may be asked to make certain revisions to make plays suitable for Bread & Wine's audience, 

Happy World Theatre Day

 

How to Celebrate World Theatre Day

Who can celebrate?

Celebrations open to everyoneThe main pillars of ITI – the ITI Centres and Cooperating Members – are the driving force behind the celebration of World Theatre Day in their country or region.
A celebration on the day itself or around it can be organized and promoted by anyone and everyone. Theatres, theatre and dance institutions, theatre and performing arts universities, government institutions, ministries of cultures, theatre and dance makers and theatre and dance lovers all over the world are invited to celebrate World Theatre Day.
ITI recommends that individuals or institutions who want to celebrate a day coordinate it with the ITI Centre or Cooperating Member in their country or region. The list of member addresses can be found in the directory online at www.iti-worldwide.org.

More at the World Theatre Day website.

The Voices of Democracy: A Festival for Ten-Minute Monologues

Website

Deadline: April 20, 2026 11:59 PDT

SUBMISSION FORM

In Samuel Beckett's groundbreaking play, Waiting for Godot (1953), Lucky, enslaved by Pozzo, remains silent throughout. But with one exception: when allowed by his master, Lucky utters a long, incoherent monologue that sheds light on his experience with unfreedom. Lucky is no exception in the history of playwriting and theater: Monologues have been used across history to give voice to the unheard and remain one of the most common genres for expressing challenges to free expression.

In the United States, there has been a long tradition of organizing festivals for ten-minute plays that gather actors, directors, and playwrights from across the country each year. This project, funded by the Valuing Open and Inclusive Conversation and Engagement (or VOICE) Initiative of the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, will organize the first festival of this kind in the University of California system.

Three monologues will be selected for staging at UC Irvine in May 2026. Each author will receive a $500 stipend to participate in the in-person event (date to be determined).

The call is open to all, not only members of the University of California community.

Ten-minute monologues can be submitted by April 20th, 2026 (11:59 PST) using the form above.

Guidelines:

1. Length: Length is flexible, but monologues are expected to be suitable for a ten-minute performance.

2. Theme: Monologues should broadly explore the festival's theme, The Voices of Democracy.

3. Formatting: Please follow these formatting guidelines.

4. File: Please submit a .docx or .pdf version of your monologue.

5. Multiple submissions: Each author may only submit one (1) monologue for the contest.

6. Language: Pieces in both English and Spanish will be accepted.

7. Cap: Submissions are capped at 100 monologues. We advise authors to submit their work earlier rather than later.

For any questions, please contact Eraldo Souza dos Santos (eraldo.souzadossantos@uci.edu)

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest

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Deadline: December 31, 2026

The Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest invites playwrights to submit original works inspired by, connected to, or thematically centered on the history, architecture, culture, or personal stories associated with the Northern Michigan Asylum (also known as the Traverse City State Hospital). Works may be dramatic, comedic, historical, speculative, or musical in style, but all submissions must honor or explore the site in a meaningful way.

Contest is hosted by Old Town Playhouse (OTP), a community theater serving Traverse City, Michigan, and The Minervini Group LLC (TMG), redevelopers of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, the original site of the Northern Michigan Asylum.

The contest opens January 19, 2026, and all submissions must be received by December 31, 2026.

Eligibility

• Open to writers of all experience levels.
• Writers must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission.
• Co-authored works are permitted.
• Submissions must be written in English.

Content Requirements

Subject Matter: The play must contain significant themes, settings, characters, or plot elements directly related to the Northern Michigan Asylum/Traverse City State Hospital.

Allowed Formats:

o One-act plays
o Two-act plays
o Musicals

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest — Submission Guidelines 

Length Guidelines:

o One-act: 20–60 minutes
o Two-act: 60–150 minutes
o Musicals: 45–180 minutes

• Originality: Only original, unpublished, and unproduced works are eligible.

Prohibition on AI-Generated Content

To preserve artistic integrity and honor the spirit of the competition:

• No portion of the script may be generated by artificial intelligence tools (including ChatGPT, other LLMs, AI story generators, or automated scriptwriting tools).

• Writers may not use AI to draft, plot, or produce dialogue or lyrics.

• AI-assisted proofreading (e.g., spelling/grammar checks) is permitted, but no AI content generation may be used at any stage.

• Entrants will be required to attest that all creative content is human-authored.

Submission Requirements

• Format:

o PDF file only
o Standard script formatting preferred (12-point font, standard margins)
o Include a title page with:

▪ Play title
▪ Author’s name
▪ Contact email
▪ Contact phone number
▪ Whether the play is one-act, two-act, or a musical
• Page Header: Include the play title and page numbers on each page.

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest — Submission Guidelines Page 2• Synopsis: Include a 150–300 word synopsis at the beginning (separate page).

• Character Breakdown: Provide a list of characters, including vocal ranges for musicals.

• Optional: A brief (100-word) playwright biography.

Submission Process

• Submissions open January 19, 2026 at 12:00 AM EST.

• All entries must be submitted by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

• Submissions must be sent by email to contest@oldtownplayhouse.com either as a PDF attachment or unrestricted link to cloud storage.

• Each entrant may submit up to two plays.

Evaluation Criteria & Winning

Entries will be judged on:

• Quality of storytelling and dramatic structure

• Creative integration of Northern Michigan Asylum themes

• Originality and artistic vision

• Character development

• Stage feasibility

• Musical quality (for musicals)

One work will be chosen to be fully workshopped and produced in late 2027 or early 2028 by Old Town Playhouse. The performance will take place at Kirkbride Hall located in one of the original Northern Michigan Asylum buildings. [Note: A staged reading may be presented in lieu of a full production if material warrants such].

Judges panel will be comprised of two representatives from Old Town Playhouse, two representatives from The Minervini Group LLC and one outside representative designated by Old Town Playhouse to serve on the panel.

Winning playwright will be notified no later than February 28, 2027.

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest — Submission Guidelines 

Rights and Permissions

• Playwrights retain all rights to their work.

• By entering the contest, playwrights grant the organizers permission to excerpt, read publicly, or stage readings for purposes of event promotion from the time the winning script is selected and announced until the closing performance of the OTP production produced in late 2027 or early 2028.

Lyrics & Lyricists Jr., a special opportunity for ten emerging composers and songwriters

Website

Deadline:  April 6, 2026

To submit, composers and songwriters should email Megan Doyle with:a short bio
a demo of the song they are submitting in a Google Drive or sharable link (please do not email large files)

The 92nd Street Y is thrilled to invite submissions for this year’s Lyrics & Lyricists Jr., a special opportunity for ten emerging composers and songwriters to have their work presented on the 92NY stage.

For more than 50 years, 92NY’s celebrated Lyrics & Lyricists series has honored the art of songwriting and brought audiences together with extraordinary artists to explore the Great American Songbook.

Presented through 92NY’s Theater for Young Audiences Department, this production of Lyrics & Lyricists Jr. is created with family audiences in mind and is partnered with our Discover Musical Theater Residencies, which bring musical theater education into the NYC public school system. This exciting initiative connects emerging songwriters not only to performance, but also to 92NY’s broader mission of arts education, access, and inspiring young audiences through new musical storytelling.

Selected winners will have their song featured in this year’s concert on May 16 and 17, will be highlighted with a bio on the 92NY website, and will receive professional footage of their number performed on our stage. It is a meaningful opportunity for emerging writers to share their work as part of a long-standing 92NY tradition while also contributing to programming that serves young people and families.

Please note:All songs must be family-friendly
Songs may be either from a new, unpublished musical or a stand-alone song

We look forward to hearing new voices and celebrating the next generation of musical storytellers.

OUT/PLAY Presents: Summer Shorts - Short Play Festival 2026

Instagram account

Deadline: April 1, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Announcing the 2nd annual Summer Shorts, a short play festival endeavoring to produce new LGBTQ+ voices!

Theme: Queer This Year! OUT/PLAY's current season has moved forward in time, telling stories of queer experiences from the 1940s to 2010. By concluding our season with Summer Shorts, we aim to center stories that explore and depict themes and experiences that the LGBTQ+ community is having today, right now, in 2026. Submissions will be considered based on creative interpretations of this theme. While we appreciate interpretations of classic and pre-existing material, OUT/PLAY will select only new and original short plays for the Summer Shorts Festival 2026.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

For your short play to be considered, please complete this form with the following materials:

• Photo/Resume and/or Artistic Bio (1 page PDF file)
• 1 PDF file including the following:
• Artist’s Statement: explanation of your play and its meaning, in your own words (100 words).

Character Breakdown: list of characters and useful descriptors to help Directors with casting. Please note: OUT/PLAY is an equal-opportunity organization, and while we understand some scripts require demographic specificity, we appreciate work that can be performed outside restrictions of age, sex, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, body-type, and ability.

Script: should not exceed 12 pages (excluding the title page and character breakdown). Format the document with 1-inch margins, font Times New Roman (or equivalent), font size 12pt. When read out loud (including stage directions) the play should not exceed 15 minutes in length. Plays that do not meet this guideline will not be considered.

Plays should be original, unpublished, and never before produced. This can be new work specifically for this festival or pulled from your archives.

Scripts should be frozen by its 1st rehearsal, with minimal changes made during the rehearsal process.

Playwrights must be residents of New York City area and available for the kick off meeting and the duration of the festival (see dates below).

If a Playwright has specific people in mind for Directors and/or Actors, please inform us below.

Playwrights, Directors, and Actors will be expected to promote the festival via social media and personal networks. Each play will be given a discount code for online ticket purchases.

Submissions are being accepted on a rolling basis between March 13 - April 1, 2026.

Playwrights will be contacted in mid-April 2026, with formal selections announced on May 1, 2026.

OUT/PLAY SUMMER SHORTS FESTIVAL OFFERINGS

Assignment of a Director to each short play (or a pairing of your choice, as indicated in field below).

1 Dress/Tech Rehearsal and 3 live performances between June 8-14, 2026 at The Chain Theatre (located at 312 West 36th Street, Floor 4, New York, NY 10018).

Video footage of 1 performance provided to the Playwright and Director.

Programs will be live streamed, 1 night each.

Each production will get 1 tech rehearsal (Date TBD) in the theatre during the week of the festival.

OUT/PLAY producers are available to support in casting and promotion via photos and video assets, social media, invitations to our mailing list, and a formal press release to theater and media contacts.

OUT/PLAY will offer 2 complimentary tickets per play to Industry Professionals—names and emails must be provided to OUT/PLAY by the Director of the play.

Any questions should be directed to outplaynyc@gmail.com.

Village Playwrights Annual June Pride Festival 2026

Website

Deadline: April 10, 2026

Send to villageplaywrights@gmail.com

Village Playwrights is accepting one-act plays for the annual June Pride Festival.

Playwrights from NYC and surrounding areas are welcome to submit a one-act play up to 30 minutes in length. 

The plays chosen will be fully produced in NYC.

Go Try Play Write - March 2026

Website

Deadline March 31, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

We're proud to announce a new monthly playwriting contest in collaboration with Bamboo Ridge Press. Every month, Kumu Kahua's artistic director Harry Wong III will select a writing prompt on the first day of that month. We're looking for 5-page monologues or 10-page scenes based on that prompt; the due date for submissions are always the last day of the month. All entries must be written in traditional play format; instructions on this format can be found here (https://www.dramatistsguild.com/script-formats), courtesy of the Dramatists Guild.

There will be one winner each month. Scripts will be submitted to the judges anonymously. Winners will receive $100 and a subscription to Bamboo Ridge Press. Woo!

The prompt for March 2026 is a chicken rebellion prompt:

Write a 10-page maximum scene of a chicken fight where the roosters fight back against their masters. It could take place in ‘Ewa, Waipahu, wherever really. The police could even arrive to help the people being attacked. Anything goes.

The Andrew Conti Workshop seeks one-act and full-length plays

Website

Deadline: April 1, 2026

Submit to: wayne@sfbh.org

For questions or additional information, please contact: wayne@sfbh.org 

Sonoma Foundation for Behavioral Health (SFBH) is seeking writers to submit original scripts for consideration in this year’s Andrew Conti Workshop (ACW) — a performance art
program dedicated to helping people process challenging emotional experiences through deeply human, character-centered storytelling.

The ACW Workshop supports new and emerging voices and embraces work that explores the full spectrum of human experience — from the challenging to the absurd, from the disturbing to the beautiful. We are particularly interested in scripts that engage with themes such as mental health, addiction, recovery, identity, connection, and resilience.

The selected script will be developed and presented as part of the three-month ACW Workshop, culminating in multiple theatrical performances. This process offers writers the
opportunity to see their work brought to life in a collaborative and supportive creative environment.

ACW and its Director, Dr. Senadhi Parakrama, intend to maintain the original work of the chosen script to the best of their ability. The workshop’s ultimate goal is to allow the ensemble actors to help heal the personal narratives they have been unable to voice. During the 12-week workshop
and rehearsal period, participants will write their own monologues drawn from their personal experiences, marrying them with the characters they are playing in the script. These monologues will be woven into the script, while maintaining the original storyline.

Who Should Submit:
Playwrights, screenwriters, and writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to apply.

What Selected Writers Receive

• Script development within a supportive ensemble environment
• Collaboration with directors, actors, and creative staff
• The opportunity to see your work staged as part of the ACW Workshop

What to Submit (2 Attachments):

• Blind Script Submission
• Script Length
• Scripts must 40 – 60 pages in standard theatrical format (12-point font)Intended for an approximately one-hour production, with an average of 5-10 actors, some primary some secondary.
• Your name and identifying information must be removed from the script

2. Writer Information (Separate Attachment)

• Brief writer bio
• Contact information

This will be a blind submission process. Individuals reviewing scripts will not have access to identifying or contact information for writers during the selection process.

We look forward to reading your scripts!

The Players Theatre – Short Play Festival - NYC

Website

Deadline: March 25, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

New York City is like no other place in the world! We are seeking plays that get to the heart of the Big Apple and explore what makes this town tick. Unique New York – it’s more than a tongue twister – it is a way of life!

All plays submitted must be centered on and revolve around this theme.

ELIGIBILITY: Short Plays and Musicals with a performance time of 15 minutes or less, no more than 15 pages in length (not including title page). Writers are eligible to submit up to 2 plays.

Plays run one weekend out of three in June 2026
June 4 – 7
June 11 – 14
June 18 – 21
Thurs – Sat 7pm; Sun 3pm

DATES & LOCATIONS: June 4 – 21, 2026 The Steve & Marie Sgouros Theatre at The Players Theatre: 115 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012 – 3rd floor walk up: 3 weeks, 4 performances weekly (Thursday through Sunday), 5 new plays featured each week. Each play performs four times in its selected week (Week 1, Week 2, or Week 3). 

PRIZE: Each week a audience favorite is selected by audience vote. The winner of each week will receive $100 prize. If you are the winner, you must submit a PayPal account to receive your prize. THEME: “NYC” Make it all about life in NYC! All plays submitted must be centered on and revolve around this theme. ** Note ** 1) Playwrights are responsible for producing their own play – Host (us) provides theatre, technicians, marketing and box office. 2) 

If selected, there is a $50 NON-refundable tech fee required Plays MUST be NO MORE 15 minutes in length, which equals approximately 15 pages of script (not including title page). Submissions open: Feb 11, 2026 Submissions close: March 25, 2026 Play selection announced soon thereafter (it may take a few weeks after the close of the submission window). F

For more festival information visit: www.shortplaynyc.com 

Click Here to download a sample contract for the festival – This is a sample of what you would receive IF your play is accepted – please DO NOT sign & send this sample.

Thank you – we can’t wait to read your work!

RiffRaff NYC and Rogue Theater Festival seek short plays

Website

Deadline: April 1, 2026

Email your 15–20 minute script (PDF) and a brief playwright bio to:

RiffRaff NYC

riffraff.nyc@gmail.com

Subject Line: I’m In Love With An Immigrant – [Play Title] – [Playwright Name]

RiffRaff NYC and Rogue Theater Festival invite playwrights to submit original short plays for our fourth festival showcase, I’m In Love With An Immigrant.

We welcome stories that explore love in all its forms: romantic, familial, platonic, cultural, or community love. Plays should center immigrant experiences in America and highlight the emotional bonds that shape belonging, identity, and home.

Length: Plays must run 15–20 minutes

Cast Size: No more than four actors on stage

Theme: Stories must center on immigrant experiences in America connected to the theme I’m In Love With An Immigrant

Production Responsibility: If accepted, playwrights are responsible for casting, securing a director, and coordinating rehearsals (RiffRaff NYC producers are happy to assist if needed)

Participation Fee: $250, payable only if the play is accepted

Performance Dates: August 10–16

Venue: American Theatre of Actors

At the conclusion of the showcase, a panel of judges will present:

Best Play
Best Original Script
Best Director
Outstanding Performance Awards (3 recipients) – Recognizing exceptional acting, regardless of gender

Rogue Theater Festival Production Award – One selected piece will be invited to fully produce their play with the Rogue Theatre Festival at The Flea Theatre in 2027, participation fee waived

This marks RiffRaff NYC’s second collaboration with Rogue Theater Festival, continuing our shared mission of uplifting bold, diverse theatrical voices.

RiffRaff NYC is a New York–based theatre and film company dedicated to championing immigrant artists and global perspectives. Through festivals, showcases, and original productions, RiffRaff creates platforms for underrepresented voices while building an international artistic community in the heart of NYC.

Rogue Theater Festival is an independent New York theatre festival committed to supporting bold, original work from emerging and established artists. Known for fostering creative risk and providing production opportunities beyond the festival itself, Rogue helps new plays and artists grow their work on New York stages.

Gene Frankel Theatre Festival seeks short plays & one-acts

Website

Deadline: April 3, 2026

Send all required materials to: GeneFrankelTheatrePlayFestival@gmail.com

Early submissions are encouraged.

Subject line: Gene Frankel Theatre Festival – Title of Play

The Gene Frankel Theatre Festival is accepting submissions for its summer edition running from July 27th through August 16th, 2026.

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 Aug. 16, 2026. Participation in festivals counts as a production. Staged readings, private workshops, and brief excerpt presentations do not count 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 April 10th.

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 Aug. 16th, 2026. 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 for all festival dates from July 27th through August 16th.

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 three-week performance schedule. The Festival will conclude with a Gala event, on Aug. 16th, featuring guest performances and an awards ceremony.

@genefrankeltehatrefestival

Black Men Talk Festival 2026 seeks 10-minute plays

Website

Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT

SUBMISSION FORM

The 10-minute play festival will be a celebration of the voices, stories, and perspectives of Black male playwrights and showcase the works of new and emerging Black male playwrights telling authentic stories of the Black experience.

The Black Men Talk Play Festival, the first of its kind, aims to honor the contributions of Black male playwrights - initiated by a Chicago-based Black playwright. The event will host three performances in Chicago in July 2026.

• Script submitted must be the final version in proper play format.
• Playwrights must submit plays that run from 8-10 minutes or 8-10 pages. Your cover page should have: title of play, your name, email address, and phone number.
• Plays should feature two to four actors.
• Scripts should be written with minimal set and costume requirements.
• One entry per person (if more than one play is submitted, we will review the first play submitted).
• Plays must be unpublished and must not have had a professional. production.
• Plays must be submitted electronically in PDF format.
• No musicals, screenplays, or monologues will be selected for this festival.
• Your submission should be your own work. 

There’s something for everyone at TPG!

Web Site: www.theplaywrightsgroup.com

Script Consultations

If have a script you want feedback on — just send a PDF of your script and you’ll get a critique via email and/or video conference. See website for rates.

Richard Caliban has worked with individuals on their scripts from all over the world — Indonesia, China, Greece, Australia, Serbia, as well as right here in New York. A script consultation will provide you with feedback on the structural soundness of your story, the dramatic arc of your protagonist, thematic unity and much more.

Online One-on-One Courses

If you’re looking for more, check out our One on One Online Playwriting Courses:

• The Art of Playwriting
• Write a Play in 10 Weeks
• 3 Hour Short Course

All are with instructor Richard Caliban, and since it’s One on One, the courses can be adjusted to fit your level of experience. 

The Weekly Workshop

Join our nationwide community of playwrights on Zoom. It’s a great way to stay connected and motivated.

Participating in a weekly workshop can give you the kick you need to see your script through from beginning to end. You can bring in anything you’re working on — a full length script, a musical, a TV pilot, whatever. And when your script is ready — we’ll present it in a Public Reading. We also bring in Guest Speakers, like Pulitzer Prize winner Margaret Edson (Wit).

Sit in on a session and see for yourself!

Thursdays 7 - 9:30pm EST

Please visit our website for further Info and Rates: 

www.theplaywrightsgroup.com

Contact us at 

scripts@theplaywrightsgroup.com

The Chameleon Theatre Circle's 27th Annual New Play Contest

Website

Deadline: March 17, 2026

NOTE: THEY HAVE FILLED THEIR QUOTA FOR FULL-LENGTH PLAYS AND 10-MINUTE PLAYS

They are still seeking one-act plays, musicals and theater for young audiences work.

The extended deadline for submissions is March 17, 2026 (for email submissions) and March 20, 2026 (for paper submissions).

The Chameleon Theatre Circle (located in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota) is seeking original works that have never been produced. All styles and genres are welcomed (i.e. one-acts, musicals, full-length dramas, etc.). The winning plays are tentatively scheduled to be read in a concert-format festival in the fall of 2026. All shows submitted will automatically be placed on the slate of shows in consideration for future seasons.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
We are proud to announce that for the 27th consecutive year we are not charging a submission fee! Entries may be made either via email or on paper but not both. Submission limits per playwright are one full-length play or one one-act play or two 10-minute plays. A maximum of 65 full-length plays, 65 one-act plays, 125 10-minute plays, 15 musicals, and 15 theatre-for-youth plays will be accepted.

To submit via email, send a copy of the script in pdf or word format to jim@chameleontheatre.org. If submitting a musical, also send a copy of the music in mp3 format or a link to a public website where we can download the music in mp3 format. Also send a completed and signed entry form. Do not include any author identification information on the submitted scripts.

To submit via paper, complete and sign an entry form, and send it along with a copy of the script to the address below. We request that script copies be printed double-sided to save on paper, mailing costs, and storage. If you are submitting a musical, also include a copy of the music in mp3 format on a CD or flash drive. Do not include any author identification information on the submitted scripts.

Mailing Address
The Chameleon Theatre Circle
27th Annual New Play Contest
7287 153rd St W # 240069
Apple Valley MN 55124

The deadline for submissions is March 17, 2026 (for email submissions) and March 20, 2026 (for paper submissions).

We will distribute the scripts "blind" to our readers for complete objectivity. Include the show's title on at least the first page. Once the winning scripts have been chosen, we will disclose the playwrights' identity to our readers (and the world).

We do not accept plays that have been previously produced. We do accept plays that have only had workshops and other readings. Receipt of play(s) will be acknowledged by e-mail only upon request. Scripts are non-returnable.

As in past years, this year's contest will have multiple categories.

ONE-ACT (MEDIUM LENGTH) PLAYS

Winners will receive $50 each plus a reading at the New Play Festival. Any play that can be joined with one or two other plays of similar length to make up a complete evening of theatre will be entered in this contest. Generally, scripts with more than 20 and up to 60 pages of dialog will fall into this category.

MUSICALS

If five or more musicals are submitted, Chameleon reserves the right to create a "musical" category. Musicals are defined as any original play using original or rights permitted musical dialogue to further the story and/or the characters. Winners, if any, will be awarded a prize amount based on the length of the musical i.e., full-length, one-act, or 10-minute. In the absence of enough qualifying scripts, or if Chameleon decides not to create an additional category, musical submissions will be entered into the appropriate category as defined above.

THEATRE-FOR-YOUTH

If five or more plays intended for and/or by youth are submitted, Chameleon reserves the right to create a "theatre-for-youth" category. Theatre-for-youth plays are defined as any original play intended for young audiences, young participants, or both. Winners, if any, will be awarded a prize amount based on the length of the play i.e., full-length, one-act, or 10-minute. In the absence of enough qualifying scripts, or if Chameleon decides not to create an additional category, theatre-for-youth submissions will be entered into the appropriate category as defined above.

DO NOT SEND THEY HAVE ENOUGH 10-MINUTE PLAYS

TEN-MINUTE (SHORT) PLAYS

Winners will receive $25 each plus a reading at the New Play Festival. All short plays will be entered in this contest. Generally, scripts with 20 pages or less of dialog fall into this category.'

DO NOT SEND THEY HAVE ENOUGH FULL-LENGTH PLAYS

FULL-LENGTH PLAYS

Winners will receive $100 plus a reading at the New Play Festival. Any play that can constitute a complete evening of theatre will be entered in this contest. Generally, scripts of over 60 pages of dialog will fall into this category. It is important to note that these plays can be only one act if it makes up a complete evening of theatre.

Dallas College Mountain View Campus Theatre Department seeks 10-minute plays

 Instagram

Deadline: April 5, 2026

THEY HAVE CLOSED THE SUBMISSION WINDOW EARLY - DO NOT SEND

The Dallas College Mountain View Campus Theatre Department is looking for ten-minute plays to produce for the tenth annual ROD WILSON 24-HOUR TEN MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL, May 29-30, 2026

Student and/or local actors along with MVC alumni will join professional DFW directors for twenty-four hours to present a Saturday evening, May 30 @ 7 pm performance. Six or seven staged ten-minute plays will be followed by an audience/actor/director/playwright talk back. There is no limit on how many plays you can submit, no theme for the festival-just keep in mind that many of the actors are teens and twenty-somethings!

Mazumdar Award 2026

Website

Deadline: March 15, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

We are thrilled to open this opportunity for the next Mazumdar Award. Entries will be accepted March 1-15, 2026. The winning play will receive a cash award and a full production in an upcoming subscription season at the Alleyway (plus royalties).

One entry, per playwright, per season will be accepted.

Your play should be original, full length (75+ minutes), unpublished & unproduced.

This is for finished plays and musicals that are ready for production. We are not accepting drafts, proposals, or outlines at this time.

We suggest submitting a play with fewer than 10 actors.

The Sauk Plays in Development 2026 seeks full-length and one-act plays

Website

Deadline: March 20, 2026 5PM EDT

The Sauk, Hillsdale County's Community Theatre, located in Jonesville, Michigan is seeking entries to consider for our twelfth annual Plays-In-Development in September 2026. 

We are seeking unproduced plays. These can be any style (comedy, drama, young audience and/or musical) and any length (one-act or full-length). 

It is understood (and expected) that changes will be made to the script between initial submission and performance.

The selected plays will first go through notes with the artistic director. A show-specific director will then be assigned. The director will work with the playwright prior to an audition draft being submitted. Auditions will take place in early-August with two weeks of rehearsals prior to public readings. It is expected that the selected playwrights will be involved in the process and be in attendance for final rehearsals and the public reading in Jonesville, MI.

Playwrights are encouraged to make changes to their scripts throughout the process (often handing in new drafts on a weekly or even daily basis). The public staged readings will take place on September 4 and 5, 2026. Playwrights are expected to be on site the week leading up to the readings starting on Monday, August 31, 2026. A royalty is provided to the selected playwrights and The Sauk will provide travel and lodging.

The goal of Plays-in-Development is to help playwrights improve plays that have yet to be produced. By working with a director and actors, the playwright can learn vital information about their work. After the public readings, playwrights are able to participate in a talkback with the audience. We want playwrights to leave the experience with positive and constructive feedback to improve their plays.

Please e-mail a draft copy of the script, a one paragraph plot description and playwright's contact information to Executive Director Trinity Bird at saukpid@gmail.com. Playwrights may submit no more than two scripts. We are NOT looking for scripts intended to be performed online. Plays may not have had a public reading and/or performance in the past. Classroom and non-public readings are fine.

The play selection committee will review all submissions and select the scripts to be part of the process. The selected plays will be announced on or before May 1, 2026.

Seoul Players seek 10-minute plays

Website

Deadline: March 15, 2026

Please send an email to seoulplayers2010@gmail.com, and the subject line should be “10MPF Script Submission”. Please include your full name and any other pertinent information in the email.

For (our) convenience, please format the filenames like this: “[Insert Play Title]” and “[Insert Play Title] – blind”. Doing it this way makes things so much smoother!

We will need two versions of the script you wish to submit: one with full attribution and one with no contact information, and both of them in standard PDF format. This is so that our readers can blindly assess the scripts for performance in our festival with as few personal biases as possible.

We’re looking for scripts for the upcoming 2026 Ten-Minute Play Festival. Submissions will open March 1st, 2026. From the first to the fifteenth (Beware the Ides of March!!), playwrights can submit one script for free. After the 15th, all submissions will require a $5/5,000 won submission fee, as explained below. Submissions will close at the end of April.

The Theater Center’s Making It Happen Festival - Call for 10-Minute Plays

Website

Deadline: March 24, 2023 at 11:59 PM

SUBMISSION FORM

THE THEATER CENTER, located in the heart of Times Square, is seeking submissions for a 10-minute play festival happening Spring 2026. Plays of all genres, performance types, and subject matter. There is no submission fee and no participation fee.

How the Festival Works:
15 new plays will be presented over three Wednesday evenings at 7pm, with 5 plays performed each night. 

• April 8th
• April 15th
• April 22nd

At the end of each evening, the audience will vote for their favorite plays. The top two plays from each night (6 total) will advance to the Final Showcase on Wednesday, April 29 at 7pm where they will be performed again and the audience will vote to select our Festival Winner. The evening will conclude with an Emerging Artist Collective Celebration, where all participating playwrights and creative teams are invited to return and celebrate together.

All plays will take place at the Jerry Orbach Theater, a 199-seat Black Box theater fully equipped with lights, and built-in mic sound system. See space details here.

Submission Deadline:
All plays MUST be submitted by Tuesday, March 24th @ 11:59 PM

All Participants Receive:

• An Off-Broadway credit for their play
• An invitation to The Theater Center’s Emerging Artist Collective

Finalists Receive:

• A free 30-minute consultation with The Theater Center’s General Manager, Catherine Russell, covering marketing, budgeting, and general management for your show.

Festival Winner Receives:

• The winning playwright will receive an opportunity to discuss further development of their work with The Theater Center, including potential pathways for future production and artistic collaboration.

Requirements:

• The play must be 10 minutes in length (approx. 10 pages). If you would like to submit a monologue/one person play, it should come in under 10 pages.
• Playwrights MUST provide their own actors, director, and stage manager. 
• At least one member of the production team must be a resident of one of New York City’s five boroughs.
• Please ensure you and your team are available for all relevant festival dates.

Production Guidelines:
Each production will have 15 minutes total to set up, perform, and strike their piece.

Productions should be minimalist in design. All specific props or set dressing for your production must be supplied by you.

Each piece will receive a 1 hour tech slot on the day of their performance, beginning at 12:00 PM.

Basic lighting cues will be available. A tech supervisor will operate lighting, and productions may choose from pre-set lighting cues.

Sound cues may be played via amp and AUX connection if needed.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to: makingithappenfestival@gmail.com

If you require any additional help or assistance with this, please feel free to reach out.
THE THEATER CENTER (located at 50th & Broadway) is an Off-Broadway theater complex in the heart of New York's Theater District offering two intimate theaters, productions, acting classes, and event spaces. 

Playwrights on Park Reading Series 2026/2027 seeks full-length plays

Website

Deadline: March 14, 2026

Submit plays through this Google Form

Playwrights on Park Reading Series at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford, CT is currently accepting submissions for the 2026/2027 season.

No late submissions will be accepted.

IMPORTANT INFO:

Playwrights must be able to attend the staged reading and the audience discussion that follows in West Hartford (Connecticut.)  There will be a rehearsal on the day of the reading, in which attendance by the playwright is optional but strongly encouraged. Transportation may be provided from NYC or New England locations by the Playhouse. Readings will be on select Sunday nights throughout the season at 7:00 pm.

Playreading dates TBD

We will select five plays for readings in the 2026/27 season. Final selections will be made by July 1st, 2026

Submission Guidelines:

BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, womxn, Latinx, and differently-abled artists are strongly encouraged to submit

We are seeking FULL-LENGTH plays. No musicals or One-Acts at this time

We are only seeking plays with small casts (4 or fewer actors), particularly 2 or 3-character casts. Plays that cannot be accomplished with 4 actors or fewer will not be considered.

Include any production or workshop history, as well as biographies of the playwright and any collaborators. Please let us know if this play has had an equity reading within the past 6 months.

Playwrights may self-submit or go through a literary agent.

Connecticut-based and NYC playwrights are strongly encouraged to submit

Please do not submit any plays that have already been submitted to Playwrights on Park in the past.

Any submission that goes against the above guidelines will be automatically disqualified.

Playwrights on Park webpage: https://www.playhouseonpark.org/web2/newworksseries.html

HystericalFest: Women+ Act Out seeks short scripts and monologues

Facebook Page

Deadline: April 5, 2026 at 11:59 CDT

OR when they receive 250 submissions 

SUBMISSION FORM

We are seeking short scripts and monologues centering around women (and those of traditionally marginalized genders) and invisible disability to be a part of our first-ever "HystericalFest: Women+ Act Out" on August 28-30, 2026 at the Piven Theatre in Evanston, IL (just north of Chicago).

Producers of this short comedy festival are Violet Surprise Theatre (queer-feminist theatre company); actress/advocate/3Arts awardee Terri Lynn Hudson; and playwright Paula Kamen/aka Hysterical Productions.

Whether your play has been produced before or you've just finished writing it, we'd love to read it!

Length guidelines:

• Scripts of up to 10 pages
• Monologues of up to 3 pages

Eligibility: 

• Submissions may be made by anyone but must be about the experience of women, non-binary people, and those of traditionally marginalized genders.
• Plays & monologues will address the absurdities of living with invisible disabilities, which we very broadly define.
• Plays can be straightforward, absurd, or even experimental.
• Plays do NOT have to be new or unproduced.  
• Each person can make up to two different submissions.
• Those from anywhere in the world are eligible to submit.
• We especially encourage submissions from those experiencing both visible and invisible disabilities at the same time, queer people, people of color, and older playwrights.

We offer a small stipend to all artists involved to make participation more accessible. (Funded by a generous grant by the Evanston Arts Council.)

Our philosophy: For centuries, a way to diagnose a woman (or woman-adjacent person) for hysteria was if they were dramatic and seeking attention about their otherwise invisible illness. In this short comedy festival, we are turning the tables, embracing the forbidden, literally "acting out." Comedy reflects the absurdity of our experiences, and theatre provides a way to relieve isolation, build community, and confront stigma.

***Violet Surprise Theatre values artists and takes the ethics and integrity of the work we produce very seriously. We will NOT accept any scripts where generative AI was used in any capacity, nor will we accept any work that promotes or encourages usage of generative AI. No exceptions.***


For any questions, email Pearlie at violetsurprisetheatre@gmail.com.
For more about Violet Surprise, visit https://linktr.ee/violetsurprisetheatrechicago.