Deadline: May 15, 2026
or when 100 submissions are received
SUBMISSION FORM
The People’s Theatre is seeking playwrights whose work engages with stories, experiences, and perspectives that have been historically underrepresented in the American theatre. We are especially interested in uplifting work that reflects the voices and lived experiences of immigrants, People of Color, Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ communities, while welcoming applications from playwrights of all backgrounds.
ELIGIBILITY:
The People’s Theatre is seeking playwrights whose work engages with stories, experiences, and perspectives that have been historically underrepresented in the American theatre. We are especially interested in uplifting work that reflects the voices and lived experiences of immigrants, People of Color, Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQIA+ communities, while welcoming applications from playwrights of all backgrounds.
ELIGIBILITY:
- The applicant must have completed at least 1 full-length play or at least 2 one-act plays.
- Local NYC and its surrounding areas. If not living in the NYC metropolitan area, you must be willing to travel to NYC for in-person sessions.
- Must be available to attend in-person workshops and Reading Festival.
Three playwrights will be chosen to develop new plays each under the mentorship of award-winning playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez. The culminating plays will be showcased at New Horizons Play Reading Festival in December 2026, for inaugural season at our new brand new home The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante - at 419 West 206th Street, New York. We would like the program and the New Horizons Play Reading Festival to align with the themes of Purpose, Home and Belonging.
YOU WILL RECEIVE:
Ongoing Support to Develop Your Play:
YOU WILL RECEIVE:
Ongoing Support to Develop Your Play:
- Develop your work-in-progress into a 90 min play in workshops led by award-winning playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez.
- Actor Readings and Feedback:
- Have actors read your latest writing during workshops and receive supportive feedback.
- Insight on the business of show business and resources to access:
- Gain show business insights and resources from well-recognized industry members to advance your career.
- Director and Actors for Staging: Have your play directed and staged by professionals.
- Showcase your work: Present your play at New Horizons Play Reading Festival at our new brand new theater The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante.
- Industry Professionals: We invite agents and industry professionals to attend your play reading.
- Shared Dinner: Enjoy meals provided during each in-person workshop
- Compensation includes a $1,500 participation award and a $100 commuting stipend
The People's Theatre will receive:
Developmental Workshops
- The right of first refusal to produce the selected plays within three years.
Developmental Workshops
- 8/11/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
- 8/25/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
- 9/8/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
- 9/22/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
- 9/29/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
- 10/13/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (Zoom)
- 10/27/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
- 11/3/2026, 5:30-8:30pm (In-person)
Location: The People's Theatre, 419 W 206th St, New York, NY 10034
New Horizons Reading Festival
Nov 30- Dec 6, 2026
Each play will receive 10 hours of rehearsal over two days, culminating in two public staged readings.
Venue: The People's Theatre Studio Theatre
Reflection meeting
1/26/2027, 5:30-8:30pm, Reflection (In-person)
Reflection meeting
1/26/2027, 5:30-8:30pm, Reflection (In-person)
SUBMISSION SCHEDULE
May 15, 2026: Submissions Close, or when 100 submissions are received
The week of June 22, 2026: Finalists invited to online interviews
The week of July 13, 2026: Participants Selected
For any questions regarding The People’s Theatre Playwrights Unit 2026, please email sinny@peoplestheatreproject.org.