Deadline: April 15, 2026
Send your script as a PDF or Word document to Linda@hardscrabbletheater.com
Hardscrabble Theater is seeking original one act plays for our Fall 2026 One-Act Play Festival!
The festival will take place Friday, October 16th through Sunday, October 18th.
We invite playwrights from all backgrounds to submit their work for consideration. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or making your first submission to a festival, we want to hear your voice!
Plays must meet the following criteria for consideration:
What We’re Looking For
Hardscrabble Theater celebrates stories that are raw, honest, and human. We welcome plays across all genres — drama, comedy, dark comedy, slice-of-life, and everything in between. We are especially drawn to work that is character-driven, emotionally resonant, and stageable within our production constraints.
How to Submit
Hardscrabble Theater is seeking original one act plays for our Fall 2026 One-Act Play Festival!
The festival will take place Friday, October 16th through Sunday, October 18th.
We invite playwrights from all backgrounds to submit their work for consideration. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or making your first submission to a festival, we want to hear your voice!
Plays must meet the following criteria for consideration:
- Running time of no less than 5 minutes and no more than 15 minutes
- Single set with no special effects
- Simple lighting and sound/music cues only – all sound must be rights free.
- Maximum of five characters
- All scripts must be royalty-free
- Previously unpublished and unproduced in the NY tristate area
What We’re Looking For
Hardscrabble Theater celebrates stories that are raw, honest, and human. We welcome plays across all genres — drama, comedy, dark comedy, slice-of-life, and everything in between. We are especially drawn to work that is character-driven, emotionally resonant, and stageable within our production constraints.
How to Submit
Send your script as a PDF or Word document to Linda@hardscrabbletheater.com by April 15, 2026. Please include your name, contact information, and a brief synopsis of your play in the body of your email. Scripts should have a title page with name, address, phone, and email.
Questions? Reach out to us at the submission email above.
Hardscrabble Theater is committed to inclusive storytelling and encourages submissions from writers of all backgrounds.
Questions? Reach out to us at the submission email above.
Hardscrabble Theater is committed to inclusive storytelling and encourages submissions from writers of all backgrounds.