Deadline: June 30, 2026
Complete the submission form and upload:
• Play script (PDF)
• Brief playwright bio
• Current CV or résumé
We are seeking submissions for the inaugural season of The Human Side of Health, a virtual play series that uses theatre to humanize the data behind today's public health challenges. Through storytelling, this series aims to raise awareness, educate the public, reduce stigma, and spark meaningful conversations about issues affecting individuals, families, and communities.
Three plays will be selected for Season One.
THEMES
We are seeking 10-minute plays that explore one or more of the following topics:
• Substance Use/Recovery
• Depression/Mental Health
• Diabetes
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
• Maximum 10 pages
• Play script (PDF)
• Brief playwright bio
• Current CV or résumé
We are seeking submissions for the inaugural season of The Human Side of Health, a virtual play series that uses theatre to humanize the data behind today's public health challenges. Through storytelling, this series aims to raise awareness, educate the public, reduce stigma, and spark meaningful conversations about issues affecting individuals, families, and communities.
Three plays will be selected for Season One.
THEMES
We are seeking 10-minute plays that explore one or more of the following topics:
• Substance Use/Recovery
• Depression/Mental Health
• Diabetes
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
• Maximum 10 pages
• Written in standard play format (include page numbers)
• 2–3 characters only
• No monologues
• IMPORTANT: For your play to be considered, it must be written specifically for a virtual platform as the setting in the script. Virtual format = Zoom, FaceTime video call or similar using a virtual modality as the setting.
Any work submitted that does not incorporate use of a virtual platform will not be considered.
• Artificial Intelligence Disclaimer: Plays must be original.
Plays written with artificial intelligence will be automatically disqualified.
• Plays must be written primarily in English. The use of words or brief passages in another language is welcome; however, the majority of the script must be in English.
Examples of virtual settings include:
• Telehealth appointments
• Virtual support groups
• Zoom meetings
• FaceTime conversations
• Video calls between a case manager and client
• Online recovery meetings
• Virtual family conversations
• Other stories that naturally unfold through technology and virtual communication
ELIGIBILITY
• New, unproduced, some development history and world-premiered plays are welcome.
• Diverse characters and perspectives are encouraged.
• Playwrights with educational, professional, and/or lived experience in a health-related field, such as public health, healthcare, behavioral health, mental health, recovery services, human services, social work, community health, disability services, caregiving, or related areas preferred.
• Playwrights must have access to Zoom and be able to participate virtually.
• Playwrights must be available to participate in a live post-show discussion following the presentation of their play.
• U.S. based playwrights
SELECTED PLAYWRIGHTS WILL RECEIVE
• $100 honorarium
• A virtual performance of their play
• Participation in a live discussion about the public health themes explored in their work
• Public presentation on YouTube as part of The Human Side of Health
*Please note that all recorded readings and discussions will remain publicly available on YouTube as part of the series archive.
SELECTION
If your play is selected, you will receive an email confirming the selection by mid-July 2026.
Selected plays will be presented in the Fall of 2026.
• 2–3 characters only
• No monologues
• IMPORTANT: For your play to be considered, it must be written specifically for a virtual platform as the setting in the script. Virtual format = Zoom, FaceTime video call or similar using a virtual modality as the setting.
Any work submitted that does not incorporate use of a virtual platform will not be considered.
• Artificial Intelligence Disclaimer: Plays must be original.
Plays written with artificial intelligence will be automatically disqualified.
• Plays must be written primarily in English. The use of words or brief passages in another language is welcome; however, the majority of the script must be in English.
Examples of virtual settings include:
• Telehealth appointments
• Virtual support groups
• Zoom meetings
• FaceTime conversations
• Video calls between a case manager and client
• Online recovery meetings
• Virtual family conversations
• Other stories that naturally unfold through technology and virtual communication
ELIGIBILITY
• New, unproduced, some development history and world-premiered plays are welcome.
• Diverse characters and perspectives are encouraged.
• Playwrights with educational, professional, and/or lived experience in a health-related field, such as public health, healthcare, behavioral health, mental health, recovery services, human services, social work, community health, disability services, caregiving, or related areas preferred.
• Playwrights must have access to Zoom and be able to participate virtually.
• Playwrights must be available to participate in a live post-show discussion following the presentation of their play.
• U.S. based playwrights
SELECTED PLAYWRIGHTS WILL RECEIVE
• $100 honorarium
• A virtual performance of their play
• Participation in a live discussion about the public health themes explored in their work
• Public presentation on YouTube as part of The Human Side of Health
*Please note that all recorded readings and discussions will remain publicly available on YouTube as part of the series archive.
SELECTION
If your play is selected, you will receive an email confirming the selection by mid-July 2026.
Selected plays will be presented in the Fall of 2026.