Deadline: June 12, 2026
Fort Worth, Texas
Ten-minute plays and five-minute monologues (personal narratives) addressing the following prompt are being accepted for Stethoscope Stage 2026 now through June 12, 2026:
Some of the latest and hottest household names do not belong to television or movie stars but rather to GLP-1 medications. Notable names swirling around commercials, social media, and pop culture gossip include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. Though GLP-1s can be used for treating diabetes and the science community is actively exploring other medical applications, perhaps the most popular conversation around these trending meds is weight loss. Notable public figures like reality TV star Heather Gay, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, and Broadway star Harvey Fierstein, to name a few, have gone public about their open struggles with body image and using meds like these to drop the pounds. But with abundant ads for websites like Noom, Ro, Hers, and Hims seemingly putting these so-called life-changing medications at the public’s fingertips, what does the public need to know? This is the focus of Stethoscope Stage 2026.
We seek narratives exploring conversations around:
- Body image and weight
- How society views and treats people who are overweight and/or diabetic
- Questions, curiosities, and experiences around GLP-1 medication use
Write a narrative in the form of a ten-minute play or five-minute monologue that explores this timely theme.
Medical professionals and members of the general population are encouraged to submit.
You do not have to be a professional playwright to share your story.
We want the raw, true, authentic you.
Ten-Minute PlaysPage Length: 8 – 10
Tip: This is based on standard stage play format. Not familiar with stage play format? No worries!
Simply time yourself reading your work in a natural cadence to make sure it does not exceed 10 minutes.
File Format: Word Doc or PDF. Other file formats will not be accepted.
Font: 12pt. Times New Roman in black ink
Text Spacing: Single
Characters: Two minimum, four max
Your play submission should include:Title Page: Include play title, author full name, and author primary phone number and email address. Also, include a 150 word bio. Please list your medical title and place of employment if applicable.
Character Description Page: List the name of each character along with a brief character description. Be sure to include specifics such as age, gender, and race if pertinent to your story. With the exception of identifying yourself in your own monologue or play (if you choose to do so), use of actual names of real-life individuals is strictly prohibited.
Monologues
Page Length: 2 -3
Tip: This is based on standard stage play format. Not familiar with stage play format? No worries! Simply time yourself reading your work in a natural cadence to make sure it is at least three minutes but not exceeding five minutes.
File Format: Word Doc or PDF. Other file formats will not be accepted.
Font: 12pt. Times New Roman in black ink
Text Spacing: Single
Characters: One
File Format: Word Doc or PDF. Other file formats will not be accepted.
Font: 12pt. Times New Roman in black ink
Text Spacing: Single
Characters: One
Your monologue submission should include:Title Page: Include play title, author full name, and author primary phone number and email address. Also, include a 150 word bio. Please list your medical title and place of employment if applicable.
Character Description Page: List the name of your character along with a brief character description. Be sure to include specifics such as age, gender, and race if pertinent to your story. With the exception of identifying yourself in your own monologue or play (if you choose to do so), use of actual names of real-life individuals is strictly prohibited.
Stethoscope Stage 2026 is being presented by Texas Christian University’s Theatre Department and Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine on September 13, 2026 at 2PM CT at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art located in Fort Worth, Texas. Admission is FREE. Announcement of monologues and plays selected — semifinalists, finalists, and official selections — for the 2026 festival should be announced by September 2026. One or more works will have the chance to be published in the TCU Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine HuMed Journal.