Classics in Color (CiC) is a new play development for BIPoC writers

Website

Deadline: August 31, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Classics in Color (CiC) is a new play development and public engagement program for BIPoC writers developing plays that blend the BIPoC lived-experience with global classics.

CiC is conducted via Zoom and uses an instructor-led curated classroom format with the goal of working constructively toward advancing each matriculant’s vision for their play.

Since public engagement is an equally important component of both the CiC experience and the DQT mission, up to three excerpts of pieces developed in CiC are chosen by the artistic and executive directors for presentation in an online showcase.

To be eligible for CiC, you must identify as BIPoC, have an early draft of a play that fits the description above, and submit the required materials by deadline. Additionally, participants must be able to attend all 8 sessions in their entirety.

Up to 12 matriculants will be selected based on early drafts of their plays, interviews, and other submission materials (i.e., artistic statement, resumes, etc.)

Classics in Color will be conducted via Zoom for 8-consecutive weeks from 6:00-9:00pm (EST) each Monday between October 12 – November 30. DQT is proud to announce this season's CiC instructor will once again be OBIE Award winner and recent Guggenheim Fellow recipient Caridad Svich. 

DRURY UNIVERSITY ONE-ACT PLAY COMPETITION

Website

Deadline: December 1, 2026

Send scripts to:

Drury University One-Act Play Competition
c/o Dr. Mick Sokol, Professor of Theatre
900 North Benton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802

FIRST PRIZE: $300 TWO HONORABLE MENTIONS: $150 each

Winning plays will be considered for production by Drury University.

COMPETITION RULES:

1. Competition is open to all playwrights. Scripts are to be original, unpublished, and unproduced. Staged readings or workshop productions will not disqualify a script. Musicals, monologues, adaptations, film and TV scripts are ineligible.

2. Preference will be given to small cast, one-set shows with running times of no less than twenty and no more than forty-five minutes.

3. No more than one script from any playwright. Scripts entered in this contest in previous years are ineligible for re-submission.

4. All scripts are to be typewritten and firmly bound (staple, clips, etc). Because of the nature of distributing scripts to readers, we do NOT accept electronic submissions.

5. Scripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage. For confirmation of receipt, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. For results of your script, please include self-addressed stamped envelope. If possible, please include an e-mail address; we can send you contest results via email.

6. No written or verbal critiques will be tendered.

7. The decisions of the judges are final. Drury University reserves the right to produce any of the three winning plays royalty-free during our 2027-2028, 2028-2029 or 2029-2030 seasons, to withhold production, and to modify cashawards as deemed necessary by the judges.

8. Drury University does not assume any responsibility for the loss, damage, or return of scripts. All reasonable care will be taken.

9. Deadline for entries is a postmark of December 1, 2026.

10. Address scripts to Drury University One-Act Play Competition
c/o Dr. Mick Sokol, Professor of Theatre
900 North Benton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802

11. Winners will be notified by mail (or e-mail) no later than April 1, 2027.

The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers Fellowship 2027

Website

Deadline: September 25, 2026, 5 p.m. EDT. 

Applications cannot be accepted after this deadline.
Notification: March 2027
Award Period: September 7, 2027–May 26, 2028
Stipend: $90,000

Online registration required to submit

The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers supports projects that draw on the research collections of The New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building (formerly the Humanities and Social Sciences Library). The Center seeks top-quality writing from academics as well as from creative writers and independent scholars. Visual artists whose projects require extensive use of Library collections are also encouraged to apply. Visit www.nypl.org/research-collections for detailed information about the collections of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.

The Library expects Fellows to work at the Cullman Center five days a week, Monday through Friday, for the duration of the Fellowship term, which runs from September through May. Successful candidates will need to work primarily at the Schwarzman Building rather than at other divisions of the Library. Applications from those working in languages other than English are welcome; however, the applicant must be conversant in English, and application materials must be in English. Fellowships will not be granted for academic projects to post-doctoral fellows or to applicants doing graduate-school dissertation research.

The Center seeks diversity in race, ethnicity, age, gender, field, and type of project. The Center aims to promote dynamic conversation about the humanities, social sciences, and scholarship at the highest level—within the Center, in public forums throughout the Library, and in the Fellows' published work.

In order to avoid real or apparent conflicts of interest, the Cullman Center does not accept applications from New York Public Library staff members or their partners, or from people active on the Library’s Board of Trustees, Board Advisory Committees, or Library Council.

Fellows may not accept other major professional obligations during the term. Fellows may have a few prior commitments but must limit research trips, attendance at scholarly meetings, and speaking engagements to short periods of time. Anyone who needs to be away for more than two days must notify the Center's Director or Deputy Director. The Library will pro-rate stipends for Fellows who spend excessive time away from the Center.

The Cullman Center will not accept dossier letters in place of new letters of recommendation.Completed applications and supporting materials—research proposal, curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, and creative writing sample or art work sample—must be submitted by September 25, 2026, 5 p.m. EDT.

The Cullman Center is made possible by a generous endowment from Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman in honor of Brooke Russell Astor, with major support provided by Mrs. John L. Weinberg, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Estate of Charles J. Liebman, The von der Heyden Family Foundation, John and Constance Birkelund, and The Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation, and with additional gifts from Helen and Roger Alcaly, The Rona Jaffe Foundation, The Arts and Letters Foundation Inc., William W. Karatz, Merilee and Roy Bostock, and Cullman Center Fellows.

ASF TRANSLATION AWARDS 2026

Website

Deadline: September 15 by 11:59 pm EDT

SUBMISSION FORM

The prizes are for outstanding English translations of poetry, fiction, drama, or literary prose originally written in a Nordic language.

Translations must be from the writing of one author, although not necessarily from a single work.

The online application will require the following materials:

• Your CV
• A brief description of the author whose work you are translating and the significance of the original work
• One copy of the translation, including a title page and a table of contents for the proposed book of which the submitted manuscript is a part. If prose, manuscripts must be 25-50 pages, double-spaced; if poetry, 15-25 pages. *Note: Manuscripts must have numbered pages, and the translator’s name should not appear on any page of the translation manuscript. Submissions containing the translator’s name will be disqualified
• A letter or other document signed by the author, the author’s agent, or the author’s estate granting permission for the translation to be entered in this competition and published in Scandinavian Review

Restrictions:

The translation submitted in the competition may not have been previously published in the English language by the submission deadline. (If the submitted translation is also under consideration by a publisher, you must inform us of the expected publication date.)
Translators may submit one entry only and may not submit the same entry in more than two competitions.
The Translation Prize cannot be won more than three times by the same translator.

The Dramatic Question - DQT American Woman 2026-27

Website

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Submission Form

American Woman (AW) is a solo show development and public engagement program for Female-identifying writers living in the United States.

AW is conducted online and uses an instructor-led curated classroom format to advance each matriculant’s vision of their solo show.

Since public engagement is an equally important component of both the AW experience and the DQT mission, up to three excerpts of pieces developed in AW are chosen by the artistic and executive directors for presentation in an online showcase.

To be eligible for AW, you must be Female-identifying, have an early draft of a solo piece, and submit the required materials by the deadline. Additionally, participants must be able to attend all 8 sessions in their entirety.

Up to 12 matriculants will be selected based on early drafts of their solo pieces, interviews, and other submission materials (i.e., artistic statements, resumes, etc.).

American Woman will be conducted via Zoom for 8-consecutive weeks from 12:00-2:30pm (EST), each Sunday between October 4 - November 22.

DQT is proud to announce this season's PT instructor will once again be Raquel Almazan.

Eighth Annual International Human Rights Art Festival

Website

Deadline: August 15, 2026

Please email our Festival Assistant Producer Costanza Bugiani at costanza@humanrightsartmovement.org with the following, and any questions:

• A brief description of your piece, including approximate running time - we’re accepting 10-20 mins works
• A cover letter, including details regarding the piece’s discipline, issue of concern treated and a brief summary of your artistic goals
• Your bios or resumes and the names of any collaborators already on board
• A sample of work (scripts, pics, videos, songs, any other links or file that could help us to know more about your project)
• As email subject, please type IHRAF Festival 2026, then add Association-Company-your name (i.e. IHRAF Festival 2026, Joan Doe)

December 7th - 13th, 2026
The Wild Project
195 E. 3rd Street, New York, NY 10009

Results announced by September 15, 2026

Work may not have been produced within the last year in NYC, or be scheduled in the next six months of December 13th, 2026.

Please note:

• the performances must be fully produced by you; IHRAF is a presenting platform.
• Considering performances 10-20 minutes long.
• We accept just one proposal for each application.
• Submit all work to costanza@humanrightsartmovement.org

New York and Tri-state area based artists Call - The submission window is now open for live performance work in any form - every discipline.

International Human Rights Art Festival

December 7th - 13th, 2026

We are jurying work with the following interests, for performance blocks:

• Climate Change Action
• Immigration
• LGBTQIA+
• Celebration of Women/Women in Power
• Celebration of Black Men/Undiscovered Women
• Shalom/Salaam
• With Love from Africa

Plus:  Ten Minute Play Festival and a Ten Minute Performance Festival

… Any other social justice concerns you might have

All accepted performers will receive:

• Performance stipends of $250 total (per project)
• PR and marketing support
• 30-minute tech rehearsal
• Festival TD and SM
• Free photographic documentation of the performance
• Free video documentation of the performance

We are encouraging New York and Tri-state area based artists. Unfortunately we cannot cover any travel/lodging expenses.

Playwright Commission Opportunity: A New Play About Shays' Rebellion

Website

Deadline: August 20, 2026

Please submit all application materials as a single PDF (when possible).
Email submissions to:
Sue Dziura
Producing Artistic Director
Majestic Theater
Email: sue@majestictheater.com

Subject Line: Shays' Rebellion Playwright Submission – Your Name

Questions regarding the commission may also be directed to Sue Dziura at the email address above.

Please submit the following:

• Cover letter describing your interest in the commission
• A 1–2 page proposal outlining your artistic vision for the project
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• One sample of a previously produced full-length play
• Production history (or equivalent evidence of at least one fully mounted production)
• Two professional references

The Majestic Theater invites submissions from playwrights interested in developing an original full-length play about Shays' Rebellion (1786–1787)—a defining yet often underrepresented event in American history that began in Western Massachusetts. Supported by a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant, this commission will bring to life the true story of Daniel Shays, the thousands of farmers, veterans, and residents who joined the uprising, and the profound impact their actions had on the young nation.

Rooted in historical research and community engagement, the commissioned play will explore the rebellion through the voices and lived experiences of those who shaped it, creating a work that is both historically grounded and theatrically compelling. Developed in conjunction with the national America 250 initiative, the project seeks to reflect on our nation's past, honor the contributions of those whose stories have too often gone untold, and invite audiences to consider the enduring themes of economic hardship, civic responsibility, power, resilience, and the future we hope to build together.

About the Commission

The selected playwright will spend approximately one year researching, writing, and developing a new full-length play in collaboration with the Majestic Theater's Artistic Team. Throughout the process, the playwright will work closely with Producing Artistic Director Sue Dziura and Dramaturg Dan Bullens, participating in regular conversations, script development sessions, and dramaturgical support as the work evolves.

The project is designed to be highly collaborative. Research will be enriched through conversations with local historians, educators, artists, and community members, allowing the playwright to engage deeply with the people and places that shaped this pivotal moment in American history.

A small curatorial committee representing a diverse cross-section of theater artists, historians, educators, and community members will review submissions and select the commissioned playwright.

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking a playwright who is excited by the challenge of transforming historical events into compelling theater. Rather than simply recounting history, we hope to commission a writer who can uncover the human stories within Shays' Rebellion, creating vivid characters and emotionally resonant drama grounded in historical truth.

Applicants should demonstrate:Excellence in dramatic writing.
An interest in history, biography, or stories inspired by real events.
A collaborative spirit and openness to feedback.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
Curiosity, imagination, and a desire to engage meaningfully with community history.

Playwrights from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Have had at least one full-length play fully produced.
• Demonstrate the ability to complete projects on schedule.
• Be available to collaborate regularly with the Majestic Theater's Artistic Team throughout the commission period.
• Be willing to participate in weekly meetings (in person and/or via Zoom) over approximately twelve months.
• Be interested in conducting research and engaging with community members as part of the writing process.

Commission Process

Following selection, the playwright will embark on an approximately year-long development process that includes research, outlining, drafting, revision, and script development.

Working alongside Producing Artistic Director Sue Dziura and Dramaturg Dan Bullens, the playwright will receive ongoing artistic support while maintaining their own creative voice. Throughout the process, the Majestic Theater will facilitate opportunities to connect with historians, educators, and community members whose perspectives will help inform and enrich the work.

As the script develops, the Majestic Theater will host staged readings with professional actors, giving the playwright the opportunity to hear the work, receive feedback from the artistic team, historians, community members, and audiences, and continue refining the play throughout the commission.

The goal is to create a powerful new American play that honors the history of Western Massachusetts while speaking to audiences through timeless themes of community, democracy, resilience, and the complexities of the American experience.

Submission Materials

Please submit the following:Cover letter describing your interest in the commission
A 1–2 page proposal outlining your artistic vision for the project
Résumé or curriculum vitae
One sample of a previously produced full-length play
Production history (or equivalent evidence of at least one fully mounted production)
Two professional references

Compensation

This is a paid commission made possible through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts. Commission fee and project details will be discussed with finalists.

The Majestic Theater is a professional producing theater in West Springfield, Massachusetts, whose mission is to create and maintain performance opportunities for Pioneer-Valley-based theater artists and professional productions for local audiences at accessible prices. Through this commission, the Majestic seeks to foster the creation of a significant new American play that celebrates the rich and complex history of Western Massachusetts.

The Majestic Theater is committed to creating an inclusive artistic environment and welcomes submissions from playwrights of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

Uncharted Series seeks full-length plays

Website

Deadline: August 10, 2026 at 12:59 PM

UNCHARTED SERIES SUBMISSION FORM

The East Carolina University School of Theatre & Dance is seeking submissions for its Uncharted Series of new plays with dynamic roles for college-aged actors.

Seeking full-length plays that have at least five characters, with no more than one of those characters outside the age range of 15-25.

We are seeking plays that center the experience of late adolescence/early adulthood – where it is important that the characters are in that specific age range, rather than plays with characters that could be played by actors of any age.

Plays must be unpublished and unproduced (i.e., not performed in front of a paying audience). Readings and workshop productions are fine.

Selected plays will receive a staged reading as part of the ECU/Loessin Playhouse’s 2026-2027 season, with possible full production in future seasons. Playwrights will receive a $100 royalty for the reading along with travel support if they wish to participate in the rehearsals and/or reading in person.

If you have any questions, please contact ECU/Loessin Playhouse Artistic Director Kitt Lavoie at lavoiec25@ecu.edu.

Vidalia Theatre Company seeks 10-minute plays

Facebook page

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Vidalia Theatre Company of Atlanta, Georgia is accepting submissions for its Winter Yield collection of 10-minute plays to be produced in January 2027.

The setting for this show is planes, trains & automobiles. We’re looking for plays that take place in the vessel itself. It can be while in motion or during boarding/unboarding. We are only seeking plays that take place in this setting at this time.

Submissions should contain a maximum of 6 characters, minimal prop requirements, and provide opportunity for diverse casting. 

Adult language and content are permitted, but it should be relevant to the story and not gratuitous.
Submissions cannot have been previously produced in the Atlanta Metro Area.

Limit TWO (2) submissions per playwright.
(Any playwright caught violating this will be disqualified)

PAY: A $30 stipend is paid to the playwrights whose plays are selected.

***PLEASE READ THE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY***

If submitting two plays, send each submission in a separate email
Email submissions to: vidaliatheatre@gmail.com
In the subject line type: Playwright Name - Title of Play - WY27
Be sure to include the following information in the body of the email:

1. your email and telephone

2. city, state (or country if outside USA) in which you reside

3. Number of characters

4. Comedy or Drama

5. A brief synopsis

All scripts must be attached as a PDF. No other file types will be accepted.

Note: *We do not utilize blind submissions in our review process*

**ANY SUBMISSION THAT DOES NOT FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED**

OPEN TO ALL NORTH AMERICAN PLAYWRIGHTS
(with special consideration for those who reside in Georgia)

Fall 2026 EAT SPARK Musical Theatre Festival NYC

Website

Deadline: July 31, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

The Emerging Artists Theatre (EAT) Spark Musical Theatre Festival NYC and Spark Theatre Festival NYC are three-week festivals of self-produced work for the stage.

Many pieces selected for the festival will have never been performed before an audience, while some selections have been performed previously but feature new material. We are not interested in presenting established pieces of theatre. We want to see something brand-spanking-new hit the stage for the first or nearly the first time. This festival is an opportunity to present work for a paying audience for the first, or newly the first, time.

There is no submission charge and no obligation to participate if chosen. Plus, participants receive 50% of the box office. Artists are held to an audience guarantee equal to one ticket buyer per minute of your show. Successful Fringe, NYMF, and Off-Broadway shows have been born out of this series, and Emerging Artists is excited to present a new round of opportunities to local artists for yet another year.

The Spark Musical Theatre Festival NYC is now accepting submissions for the following new works:

Short and Full-Length Musicals

HOW TO APPLY

PART ONE: Read the FAQs. Please pay special attention to the audience guarantee section to ensure you are ready to gather an audience for your work.

PART TWO: Fill out the application form. You will be asked to provide information on the following:

• How you heard about Emerging Artists Theatre’s Spark Festival
• Why your show would be a good fit
• Show title, running time, and production history (if applicable)
• Description of your production
• Support materials, including a script, video, or other means of sharing
• Contact information, website, social media handles, and professional bio(s)

Hit SUBMIT to submit your application

GETTING ACCEPTED

If you are accepted into one of EAT’s Spark Festivals, there will be a required information session/meet-and-greet on a date to be determined.

The 2026 Short Play Showcase looking for plays

Instagram Account

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Email submissions to shortplayshowcase@gmail.com

Seeking NYCPlaywrights for the 2026 Short Play Showcase - looking for plays of 12 minute run time or less, with 2 characters max dealing with the themes of unrequited love, roommates, or addiction. 

The chosen plays will be performed early December at The Attic and a winning production will be chosen by audience votes.

ASTORIA NEW PLAY FESTIVAL READING SERIES seeks full-length plays

Instagram

Deadline: August 1, 2026 by 1:59pm

or until we hit 60 submissions

THEY HAVE HIT THEIR SUBMISSION CAP - DO NOT SEND

If you’re ready to submit, please email astorianewplayfest@gmail.com with Full-Length Submission in the subject line. Please attach blind copies in PDF form (no contact info anywhere on the document) to the email, and include in the body of the email your contact info and a short playwright bio (and if you are not available for either performance night, if applicable).

The Astoria New Play Festival will present readings of up to 2 full-length plays and up to 6 short plays for the 2026 staged reading series by local playwrights.

PLEASE READ OVERALL GUIDELINES in addition to the guidelines for whichever length of play you’re interested in submitting for!

All playwrights should be current or former residents of Astoria! We will not require proof of residency at this time, but trust all submitting playwrights to respect the festival mission to give a platform to local playwrights.

There is no restriction language or adult content for submissions. We do want you to be aware that if there is potentially triggering material, ANPF may list a content warning on performance nights as well as director and performer submission notices. ANPF will not produce material that promotes hate speech or violence.

Scripts written with any usage of AI are not permitted!

Playwrights may submit to both opportunities

Playwrights from the 2025 reading series are welcome to submit for the ten-minute play reading series; we ask that you refrain from submitting for the full-length play reading series at this time

All submitted plays should be blind copies with no contact information anywhere on the document.

We are not accepting musicals at this time. Hopefully one day soon!

We aim to update everyone on their submission status by the second weekend of August.

If you have any questions before submitting, please email astorianewplayfest@gmail.com or DM us on instagram @astorianewplayfest

FULL-LENGTH PLAY READING SERIES - Friday, November 6th, and Saturday, November 7th, 7:30pm, at Q.E.D., 27-16 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105

Full-length play submissions should be new, meaning no prior publications or full productions. Prior readings or developmental workshops are permitted. You will not be requested to credit Astoria New Play Festival as a premiere in future materials, publicity, announcements, etc.

Full-length playwrights will receive a stipend of $75 on performance night

Playwrights must be available in person for at least one night of the reading series, which will run November 6-7 at Q.E.D. in Astoria. Please indicate in your submission email if either performance night does not work for you.

Playwrights must be available for a talkback with the audience after the show with the audience, moderated by ANPF.

We are seeking plays that read for an estimated run time between 1-2 hours. We understand that since these are new works, a best guess is fine! 

ASTORIA NEW PLAY FESTIVAL READING SERIES seeks 10-minute plays and monologues

Website

Deadline: August 1, 2026  by 11:59pm

or until they hit 75 submission

If you’re ready to submit, please email astorianewplayfest@gmail.com with Short Play Submission in the subject line. Please attach blind copies in PDF form (no contact info anywhere on the document) to the email, and include in the body of the email your contact info and a short playwright bio.

The Astoria New Play Festival will present readings of up to 2 full-length plays and up to 6 short plays for the 2026 staged reading series by local playwrights.

PLEASE READ OVERALL GUIDELINES in addition to the guidelines for whichever length of play you’re interested in submitting for!

All playwrights should be current or former residents of Astoria (Queens)! We will not require proof of residency at this time, but trust all submitting playwrights to respect the festival mission to give a platform to local playwrights.

There is no restriction language or adult content for submissions. We do want you to be aware that if there is potentially triggering material, ANPF may list a content warning on performance nights as well as director and performer submission notices. ANPF will not produce material that promotes hate speech or violence.

Scripts written with any usage of AI are not permitted!

Playwrights may submit to both opportunities

Playwrights from the 2025 reading series are welcome to submit for the ten-minute play reading series; we ask that you refrain from submitting for the full-length play reading series at this time

All submitted plays should be blind copies with no contact information anywhere on the document.

We are not accepting musicals at this time. Hopefully one day soon!

We aim to update everyone on their submission status by the second weekend of August.

If you have any questions before submitting, please email astorianewplayfest@gmail.com or DM us on instagram @astorianewplayfest

THEMED SHORT PLAY READING SERIES - Thursday October 8th, 7:30pm, and Saturday, October 10th, 7:30pm at Our House Queens, 23-71 31st St, Astoria, NY 11106

All submitted works must somehow involve this one word theme: NEIGHBORS. How you follow this theme is entirely up to you!

There is no restriction on previous productions or publications; we welcome brand new scripts, ones performed multiple times, and everything in between.

Up to 6 playwrights will be presented in one night of performances. ANPF reserves the right to select fewer than 6 for the presentation!

Playwrights will receive a stipend of $50 on the first performance night

Submitted plays must be no longer than an estimated 15 minutes (or about 15 pages) and no shorter than an estimated 5 minutes

Monologues are welcome for submission

Playwrights are not required to be present in person for performance or tech rehearsal, but will be asked to be available via email for any questions from the creative team, and are welcome to participate more as they wish!

Theatre Now - Verse into Cabaret

Website

Deadline: July 24, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Verse Intro Cabaret is a monthly basement bash of bold new musical theatre! Held at the historic SoHo Playhouse, our series showcases fresh work by emerging musical theatre writers in a fun, low-pressure, and ultra-supportive environment.

Theatre Now is a non-profit theatre company dedicated to supporting musical theatre writers. We launched this cabaret series with a simple goal: give new voices a space to be heard without drink minimums or stuffy vibes. Each month we feature two musical theatre teams. Each team will be guaranteed a stipend of $75 rather than being reliant on the box office. That amount may increase as we build the program and grow a larger audience.

Whether you're testing a few new songs or trying something riskier, Verse Intro is a space to experiment, connect, and be celebrated.

Things to Know:We strongly recommend attending a Verse Intro show before performing. Get a feel for the space and community!
Each act is limited to four performers max (including instrumentalists).

To Submit, Please Provide:Your Name(s)
A Headshot or Professional Photo
A Short Bio (200 words max)
Social Media Handles
Your Availability for 2026 Performance Dates Sep 13, Oct 4, Nov 1, Dec 6 and in 2027 Jan 10, Feb 7, Mar 7, Apr 4 and May 2

Performance Materials:One Required Link or File Upload (video or audio) to a song from a musical you’ve written (music and/or lyrics).
One Optional Link or File Upload for a second piece.
For each, please include a short description of the song’s context and the names of any co-writers (if they are not part of the team you are applying with).

You’ll also be asked to review and acknowledge our F.A.Q. sheet with event info and artist agreements before submitting. CLICK HERE to read our F.A.Q. sheet.

We can’t wait to hear your work. Thank you for sharing your voice with us!

Neukom Literary Arts Award for Playwriting 2026

Website

Deadline: July 31, 2026 at 5PM

The Neukom Institute for Computational Science at Dartmouth College – in collaboration with Northern Stage – is excited to announce the 2026 Neukom Institute Literary Arts Awards for Playwriting, for full-length plays and other full-length works for the theater addressing the question “What does it mean to be a human in a computerized world?”. The award comes with a $5,000 honorarium as well as a weeklong workshop and public reading produced by Northern Stage (https://northernstage.org/) in early 2027. Note that works that have received a full production are NOT eligible for the competition.
Details are as follows:

Questions? Email Sarah Wansley at swansley@northernstage.org.

The submission form will be accepted until 5PM, July 31, 2026.

Submissions must include

• An anonymized (blinded) sample of 15 pages of the play.
• Playwright resume/bio
• A short summary of the full play.

We will contact the playwrights of pieces that are a fit for the award for a full draft of the play in early August.

Masque & Spectacle seeks 10-minute plays

Website

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Send drama submissions to masqueandspectacle@gmail.com. Attach written submissions in a single Word doc or docx file, and include the word “DRAMA” in the email subject line.

Playwrights may submit one previously unpublished 10-minute play for consideration. The script should be accompanied by a cover letter, which includes your name, address, phone number, and email address. Proper playwriting format should be used. If you are uncertain about this format, several examples can be found online.

Masque & Spectacle reads submissions for its bi-annual issues November 1 – January 31 and May 1 – July 31. Submissions received outside of this time period will be automatically deleted. Responses can be expected within a month. Acceptance rate is around 10%. Submissions not titled/tagged or formatted or properly under the Submissions Guidelines will not be considered for publication. We only consider one submission per author/format during any given reading period. We generally avoid publishing authors in consecutive issues.

The theme for our September Issue is harvest.

We do not accept previously published work, and we ask for First Electronic Rights and Non-Exclusive Archival Rights upon acceptance. Unfortunately, we are unable to pay contributors at this time.

Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know if your work has been accepted elsewhere. Additionally, we do not typically publish the same authors in back-to-back issues.

For any queries, please contact us at masqueandspectacle@gmail.com.

We welcome 10-minute plays (up to approximately 10 pages in length). No full-length plays will be considered at this time. Shorter plays are also welcome.

While traditional plays are welcome, we are particularly interested in innovative and/or interdisciplinary texts that break new ground, either in relation to their subject matter, or in how the text itself is performed/written/represented on stage.

South Street Players seeks original, short plays

Website

Deadline: August 2, 2026, 11:59pm

Call for original, short plays by playwrights CURRENTLY living in the Tri-State area only (NJ, NY, PA).

South Street Players (southstreetplayers.org) is seeking original, short (10 mins preferred, 15 mins maximum) plays for its 16th Annual Tri-State Theatre Festival. The event will take place November 6-8, 2026 in Spring Lake, NJ.

The festival, which receives more than 300 scripts annually, is committed to presenting the finest and most unique original, short plays written by local playwrights from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The event also serves as an artistic fundraiser, with all proceeds going to SSP to help maintain its commitment to producing high-quality, extremely engaging theatrical experiences for our audiences.

Submission Rules and Process:

Plays must be 15 pages or less. Submissions of longer than 15 pages will not be considered.

Plays should include no more than 4 characters and be in standard playscript format.

Playwrights may submit more than one play, but please be sure your name and email address is on the title page of each script.

SSP is a family theatre – no excessive swearing, no nudity.

No royalties or payment will be provided to playwrights should their play be chosen for the festival.

Plays will only be accepted via email: southstreetoneacts@gmail.com

Ghostlight Ensemble seeks short plays set in a bar

Website

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Electronic submissions only, please. Please submit a brief synopsis of script in the body of your email, along with contact information, and attach a copy of the full script to Maria Burnham at scripts@ghostlightensemble.com. Please use the following format in the email’s subject line: Happy Hour Script Submission: [play name] - [playwright name]

Chicago's Ghostlight Ensemble is gearing up for its third installment of the immensely popular Happy Hour series. We are seeking short scripts (under 30 minutes) for a staged reading series in the back room at My Buddy’s.

The only requirement is that the scripts are set at a bar. (Please do not send in scripts set in living rooms, high schools, an office, etc. They will not be considered and will show that you didn’t bother to read the requirements.)

This is open to playwrights in any geographic area, though writers in the greater Chicago area will receive priority. There is no payment for selection, but there is also no fee to submit.

Selected plays will be presented in a series of staged readings during late August/early September (exact date TBD). Pieces can be previously produced, and playwrights may submit more than one play.

The deadline for submissions is July 31, but we will be begin selecting scripts as they come in, as this is not a competition. Depending on length, we expect to choose six to eight scripts.

Ohio Valley Theater Group is seeking original theatrical works

Facebook page

Deadline: August 5, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Questions? Contact: kat.fowler.arts@gmail.com

The Ohio Valley Theater Group is seeking original theatrical works to be presented during our November festival. We welcome works at a variety of stages of development, including monologues, scenes, ten-minute plays, one-act plays, and excerpts from larger works.

Selected playwrights may participate in the OVTG Playwright Development Series, which may include workshops, table reads, facilitated feedback, revision support, and festival performances.

Quannapowitt Players seeking short plays for Suburban Holidays

Website

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Any questions, and all PDF submissions, should be directed to producer Nick Gould at qpsuburbanholidays@gmail.com. 

The Quannapowitt Players (qptheater.com) are seeking new plays for Suburban Holidays, our annual holiday-themed play festival and fundraiser. We are proud to be presenting our fifteenth year of this holiday tradition in 2026!

Play submissions should be between 10 and 20 minutes in length and focus on a holiday. All holidays are welcome! Past plays have focused on everything from Christmas to Arbor Day, and everything in between. We even recently did International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Casts of varying sizes are welcome, as are shows that feature children. Please keep in mind that the festival is family friendly, so plays with excessive profanity or other inappropriate material will not be selected.

We will be selecting six shows for production. All submissions will be kept on record and consulted for future years. Our selected playwrights will receive a 100 dollar stipend and will be produced as part of Suburban Holidays 15 in November 2026, with full production support (lights, sound, costumes, and minimalist set).

The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2026. Playwrights will be contacted by August 31, 2026, regardless of whether their play has been selected or not. If you have submitted a play in the past, please do not resubmit the same play unless there have been significant revisions. We also request no more than three submissions per playwright.

We look forward to reading your work!

Our Productions Theatre Co. is currently accepting submissions for consideration for our 2026-2027 Play Readers Club

Website

Deadline: none given

Whether you are a writer OR a patron of the arts, this program is a great way to be involved in the creative process! To submit, simply email (Subject Line - PRC: Script Title, Playwright's Name) a PDF version of your script, along with a short synopsis and your bio to info@ourproductions.org

Instagram

Discount tickets - Measure for Measure

In Progress––a new theatre company based in NYC––announces the opening night of their inaugural production of Measure for Measure.

Measure for Measure asks us to bear witness to a world where morality cannot sustain itself – it flows, flies, and falls like sand. In it, the line between the state and the individual is blurred beyond recognition, and justice turns out to be more akin to bargain than mercy. And then there’s uncleanliness. Tons of it. 

Here, righteousness is like a rubber band: stretch it enough and you’ll permanently deform it into a kind of perversion. Measure for Measure revolves around that elasticity, its focus is on this exercise of clinging to humanity in a world that renders the moral absurd. I mean, really ask yourself: is being good possible when you’re teetering on the razor’s edge between someone else’s destruction and your survival?

From July 28th to August 1st in The Makers’ Space, 281 N 7th St, Brooklyn, NY.

Discount code is "RECKONING" which users can use for 10% off at this ticket link.

The WinterWorks New Play Festival February 2027

Website

Deadline: none given

SUBMISSION FORM

The WinterWorks New Play Festival supports the presentation and development of engaging, intimate plays that serve as a catalyst for conversation within our community. As a theatre operating outside of a major metropolitan hub, we believe the American narrative is vast, and varied. We are seeking plays that explore the true multiplicity of the American experience; stories that reflect the diverse textures, complex histories, and distinct voices of communities across the country.

We ask our script readers to look for plays they cannot wait to talk about; stories that demand to be heard and refuse to leave you after the lights go down.

Cast Size & Scale: We are seeking intimate, small-cast scripts (ideally 6 actors or fewer) that prioritize character-driven storytelling. We welcome creative doubling and lean, imaginative production demands that maximize emotional impact.

Genre and Style: There are no aesthetic boundaries here. We welcome plays of any genre, style, or structure—from hyper-realism and sharp-witted comedy to non-linear narratives, magical realism, and experimental forms. If it excites your imagination, we want to read it.

Community Engagement: Most importantly, we are looking for work that actively bridges the gap between the stage and the public. We are deeply interested in plays that speak directly to people who may not consider themselves “theatre-goers” yet.

Submissions Should Be

• Full length plays that stand alone as a full evening of theater. 
• Complete drafts – not incomplete or treatments.
• Plays that have never had a professional AEA production; readings and workshops are fine.
• And most importantly: plays you are interested in actively advancing in a developmental environment.

Submissions Should NOT Be

• Incomplete drafts or treatments
• A play that has received a professional AEA production
• A play that you consider “done” or “finished”
• A play that you “just want to hear read out loud”

How To Submit Your Play

What you will need to complete your submission:

Artistic Statement (PDF format) 

Please detail:

• What development has the script undergone thus far? What are the elements of the script you’re still exploring? (Suggested word count: at least 250 words).
• Please provide a short synopsis of your current draft (Suggested word count: at least 100 words)
• Artistic Résume (PDF format)
• Complete Draft of the Play or project that you wish to develop (PDF format), with your name and the play title on the cover page.

Please note:

Please format your PDF submissions in the following format: [Lastname, Firstname-Title of Play.pdf], etc. Please use the same format for artistic statement, and resume as well. 

This is not a blind submission process: please be sure your name is on your play.

We can ONLY accept plays and resumes in PDF format. Using any other format will only delay the processing of your script.

Once you have uploaded and submitted your materials, you will not be able to make changes.

Please do not include additional materials.

'Metamorphosis' Seeks Play Submissions

Instagram

Deadline: August 6, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

This is a trans, queer play festival independently produced by Eli Riederich. The goal with this project is to uplift the stories of trans and queer individuals. The festival will take place on Mill Mountain Theatre's Waldron Stage in Roanoke, Virginia during the weekend of November 20-22nd.

We are looking for unpublished/unproduced 10 minute plays and 1 acts (75 page max). Submissions will close August 6th, 2026.

If you have any questions, please email: eli.riederich@gmail.com! 

You can also check out @metamorphosis.playfest on insta for updates.

Origins New Works Program at CVRep 2026-2027

Website

Deadline: July 25, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Established in 2023, the Origins New Works Program at CVRep is a safe, creative, and collaborative environment for writers, directors, and composers to hear their work out loud and see their work reach its full potential.

Each season, four new, undiscovered works will be invited to participate in a 29-hour staged reading in the Coachella Valley, fully funded and produced by CVRep. One of these four projects will be selected to be produced the following theatrical season on our Main Stage. It is a true ‘page to stage’ program that is committed to seeing the full development of the next Broadway Show.

GUIDELINES

- The Origins Program is open to any original, unpublished and unproduced FULL-LENGTH play or musical which is in line with our artistic vision and mission. The goal of the program is to help writers develop unfinished work in a collaborative environment.

- CVRep is in pursuit of thought-provoking, innovative theater of substance and storytelling which highlights the diverse voices and experiences of the American culture.

- We are unable to consider plays and musicals which require more than 15 cast members.

- Playwrights must reside in the United States and be able to attend rehearsals.

Please be prepared to submit a synopsis and bio in addition to:

- 20 page sample of your script in PDF form (title page/cast breakdown do not count toward page count)

- Up to three demo tracks (if your project is a musical)

If we would like to request a full copy of your script we will contact you within 8-12 weeks. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are only able to respond to work that is in line with our artistic vision and goals. 

We appreciate your patience as we give each submission ample time and careful consideration.
For additional information please email kgilligan@cvrep.org

The script doctor is in the house! 🩷

Sarah Congress is an award-winning playwright and script doctor for film, TV series, theatre, and fiction here to help YOU take your script to the next level. She provides a fun, nurturing, therapeutic, environment to best suit your individual writing needs. 

Script Services:

• Help clients fine-tune their scripts
• Offer rewrite suggestions to help tighten and polish your story
• Improve dialogue
• Punch up jokes and suggest opportunities for humor 
• Help you learn how to HOOK a reader's interest 
• Assist in finding submission, production, and publication opportunities 

More about Sarah:

Sarah has taught group writing classes for the Hoboken Historical Museum, Project Write Now, The Knowledge Project, and the Hudson Valley Writers Center. This year, her vampire satire Not Gucci was named a Top 30 play by Centre Stage's 24th Annual New Play Festival, her full-length horror/comedy Delulu was read at AWP Baltimore 2026, and her period piece Last Sunrise was performed at Under Saint Marks Place, NYC in June. She is represented by Anthony Tall and works part-time for the Dean's Office at Columbia University, School of the Arts.

Visit Sarah's website to learn more and connect.

Chicano Playwrights Showcase 2026

Facebook page

Deadline: July 19, 2026

*All interested parties should contact me here on Facebook or my email address: Xgeo@aol.com
*All questions should contact me here on Facebook or my email address : Xgeo@aol.com

* The Chicano Playwrights Showcase 2026 is intended to celebrate All Latin, Hispanic, and Chicano voices, our stories, and our culture by presenting Engaging Live Theatre.*

*Rehearsal schedule is pending the works that are selected.

* I believe that Rehearsals should begin in the last weeks of July 2026.
They will continue through the month of August 2026.

* Performances will be in Fort Worth from September 3 through September 6, 2026. With load in, spacing, and tech beginning Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

My contract with the venue should be finalized by the end of this month.

* This is A Community Theatre Production.

Playwrights' Round Table of Orlando, Florida seeks an original musical for the 2027 season

Website

Deadline: July 15, 2026 at midnight

We are seeking original musical submissions for our 2026-2027 season. Run time can be anywhere from 90-140 minutes. The original musical must be unproduced and unpublished and written/composed without the use of AI. No jukebox musicals please.

• Please email all scripts and recordings to submissionsprt@gmail.com

• Please send TWO (2) PDF or Word copies of your script – one with full name and contact info, optional personal info (gender/pronouns, ethnicity, etc.), and an acknowledgement that the play is new and unproduced; the other “blind” – this copy will go to the readers.
• Music must already be composed and a proof of concept demo attached to any submission emails. For the music, you may send us a Google Drive, OneNote, WeTransfer or Dropbox link
• There is no submission fee; however, the selected creator(s) must join PRT for a one-year membership term. The base level is free, with priced tiers with member benefits above that. You may only submit 1 show per writer.
• Please keep your set minimal, preferably a unit set – we perform in a small black box. Please also limit the number of characters – no more than 6.

The creator(s) will receive a stipend of $250 and a full production in Summer 2027.

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Seeking Ten-Minute Science Fiction Plays

Website

Deadline: July 15, 2026

In one document, please send:

• A PDF or Word document of your play with a logline, short summary, and production history 

• A brief playwright bio (no more than 100 words)

• Playwright contact information

• Email submissions to: futureworksplays@gmail.com

• Subject Line: Future Works Submission – [Playwright Last Name]

With the rising popularity of science fiction in popular media and theatre, submissions are now open for Future Works: Ten-Minute Science Fiction Plays, a new anthology of short science fiction plays. The anthology is slated for publication by Bloomsbury Publishing in 2027.

This collection will gather 20-25 of the best performance-ready ten-minute plays exploring the possibilities of science fiction for the stage. With the success of plays like The Nether by Jennifer Haley, Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play by Anne Washburn and Marjorie Prime by Jordan Harrison, science fiction has proved it can be a rich landscape for theatrical exploration. From intelligence and climate collapse to alien contact and time travel, this anthology seeks to highlight the ways science fiction playwrights engage with contemporary questions through speculative storytelling and theatrical invention.

Possible Themes and Subgenres:

• Artificial Intelligence / Robots

• Time Travel

• Alien Life / First Contact

• Space Exploration / Space Adventure

• Space Opera

• Climate Futures / Environmental Collapse

• Virtual Reality / Simulations

• Dystopian or Utopian Societies

• Cybernetics / Human Enhancement

• Genetic Engineering / Cloning

• Post-Apocalyptic Survival

• Futurism / Speculative Technologies

• Alternate Histories

• And beyond

A wide variety of writing styles are welcome, including dramas, comedies, absurdist plays, and experimental works.

Please Note - What we are NOT Looking For:
This anthology is specifically seeking science fiction plays. We welcome a wide range of theatrical styles and approaches; however, submissions should engage meaningfully with science fiction concepts generally based in imagined science, technology, or societies.

Please do NOT submit:
• Fantasy plays centered on systems of magic, wizards, mythical creatures, or supernatural occurrences/quests
• Horror plays without a clear science fiction framework (i.e.: hauntings, demonic possession, purge-like scenarios)
• Fan-fiction or fandom-culture inspired works
• Medieval fantasy, high fantasy, or fairy tale adaptations
• Supernatural stories that do not meaningfully engage with speculative science or futurism

If you have any questions, or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to email futureworksplays@gmail.com

• Plays should be approximately 10 minutes in length (no longer than 11 pages).
• Plays should be submitted in standard play format. Other formats will be rejected.
• Submissions must be original plays (no adaptations of classic science fiction stories, please).
• Submissions CAN have received previous productions. Please include a production history with your submission.
• Playwrights may submit up to 2 plays for consideration.

Go Try Play Write July 2026

Website

Deadline: July 31, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

The prompt for July 2026 is a morning-after prompt:

Write a 10-page maximum scene about a hook-up between a couple. It’s the morning after and either one of them or both of them feel it was a horrible mistake. What makes it a mistake? Anything goes. Let your imagination flow and most importantly, HAVE FUN! We are excited to see where your creativity leads you.

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!

Ominous Thrill seeks feminist radio plays

Website

Deadline: July 15, 2026

Submit to: ominousthrill@gmail.com

Use the NAME of your story in ALL CAPS in the subject line.
Include the WORD COUNT in the body text.
If the story is written in THIRD PERSON, indicate WHY the story is best told that way.

Attach the story as a Microsoft Word (.doc) file; or other universally editable format. No PDFs.

• Use Calibri 14 or similar consistent font.
• Do not paste the story into the email body.
• Make sure your story is ATTACHED before sending.
• Proofread thoroughly; excessive errors or poorly formatted submissions may be rejected.
• Include the phrase “devious audio delight” in the body of your email.
• Personal notes about why this story matters to you are not necessary - but always welcome.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Preference for Dramatized Audio Plays.

NARRATED STORIES:
First person is best for audio - we want to be as close to her/them and their experience as possible.
Third person can be considered ONLY if it's genuinely the best way to tell that story. If nothing is lost by transitioning a third person story to first person, it should be in first person for our production.
Second person... oh, you wanna go there? Wow us.
Present tense!

FEMINIST & INTERSECTIONAL HORROR AND DARK FICTION

CHARACTER-DRIVEN:
Thrillers·Horror · Suspense
· Feminine Rage & Fury· FemGore · Erotic Horror·Weird Girl·Surrealist & Transgressive·
· Queer / LGBTQAI+·Under-Represented Voices·Good For Her / Them

Stories from authors with lived experience where the horror, thrills and suspense
ride or die with social / political critique.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION:
stories passing the RAE WILDE TEST
(any story where men have no meaningful impact on the plot)

WORD LENGTH:

2,000 – 8,000 OUR SWEET SPOT
Up to 10,000 words will be considered if the story earns its length.

PAY:
.05/wordACCEPTED ORIGINAL WORK

Original, unpublished stories appearing nowhere else in any form.
.02/wordACCEPTED PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

Stories that have appeared elsewhere in any form - print, digital, podcast, or otherwise.

RIGHTS:

YOU RETAIN FULL RIGHTS

YOU KEEP FULL RIGHTS TO YOUR STORY.
WE ASK FOR A 3-MONTH AUDIO EXCLUSIVE PERIOD FOR THE OMINOUS THRILL PODCAST ONLY.

OUR AUDIO PRODUCTION

OMINOUS THRILL RETAINS EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO OUR AUDIO PRODUCTION OF THE STORY - NOT THE STORY ITSELF.

AUDIO-FIRST STORIES

PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO STORIES NOT PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED FOR AUDIO, BUT ALL STORIES ARE WELCOME.

YOUR CREDIT

YOU WILL BE CREDITED IN THE AUDIO AND SHOW NOTES AS WRITTEN BY…
IN THE CASE OF HEAVY ADAPTATION BY US, THE CREDIT WILL BE STORY BY…
EITHER WAY, SHOW NOTES WILL INCLUDE A LINK TO WHEREVER YOU'D LIKE LISTENERS TO FIND YOU.

You will be notified as soon as possible if your story is selected.

BRING US YOUR STORIES OF
FEMININE RAGE AND RECLAIMATION.

We want to give them a vivid sonic voice.

Molecule open for (very) short plays and monologues

Website

Deadline: July 15, 2026 by 11:59 PM

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

What can I submit to Molecule?

Molecule accepts submissions of poetry, prose (fiction & non-fiction) plays, reviews and interviews in 50 words or less (including titles and interview questions). Visual artwork of tiny things like tea bags and toothpicks, or tiny paintings, also wanted: no skyscrapers please!

We have a strict word count. Don’t try and trick us we have tiny minds. All submissions should be previously unpublished work.

How should I send my work?

Send submissions via submittable, along with a 3rd person bio of no more than 24 words (including name). Please send no more than 5 pieces.

24 words or less for a whole bio, seems random, where did you come up with that?

There are 24 atoms in a molecule of caffeine. What more do you want from us?

When are you open for submissions and when will I hear back?

We are open for submissions for our fall issues from June 1st to July 15th. Replies sent by August 15th. We are open for our spring issues from December 1st to January 15th. Replies sent by February 15th.

What rights do I give you to use my work if it is accepted?

If your work is accepted we ask for first rights (to publish in our print and online issue) and non-exclusive electronic and archival rights (so we can keep using it). All rights revert to the author upon publication.

Does Molecule charge any fees to submit or pay for publication?

No! There is no fee to submit your work to Molecule, and the magazine is always available for free to download or view to contributors and the public. There is an optional tip jar submission, to help us offset our costs. Whether or not a contributor makes a tip does not factor in to our decision process. Recently, we have launch a print issue. You can purchase issue 8 and issue 9 online. We are not able to provide free print copies to contributors.

Germ Magazine open for submissions

Website

Deadline: none given

Send to germ@germmagazine.com.

Send us your self-contained play excerpts or short films (original movies, documentaries, public service announcements, student films, etc). Attach your work to the body of your email. Include a short note and your bio in the body of your email, including your preferred pronouns. Plays should not exceed 2,000 words.

Films should not exceed 10 mins. in play time. You may submit up to three projects at one time.


Please attach all pieces of work to one email. Do not send multiple emails.

OUR MISSION

Germ’s goal is to provide young people—high school age and beyond—an inclusive space to share their experiences on a wide variety of topics: love, life, health, home, the world, school, career, the future, all things safety, the lighter issues—and the harder ones.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Please write us at germ@germmagazine.com if you’d like to:Say hi, propose a topic, or ask a question.
Submit your writing. See our Literary Submission Guidelines for all the details.
Submit your own works (music albums, books) to be considered for review.
Pitch us a piece for one of our categories, including the Daily Germ, which can be an inspiring/funny/memorable quote or word of the day.
Add some of your Bucket List items to our Before I Die page. Please send no more than five (5) items.
Send a suggestion for our How To…, Be Lovely, or Truth About… categories.

Other submission options:Write a Dear Me letter to your high school or future self.
Show us where you’re Wandering.

Whether you’re wandering in your hometown or traveling, if the place is big or small, we want to see it. You can record your journey via video, pictures, drawings, or words. Please use Google Drive and share your file(s) with germ@germmagazine.com.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

While we value your work very highly, we are unable to offer payment except publication at this time.

Although you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram, please do not pitch us ideas or send submissions there. Contact germ@germmagazine.com.

If you are pitching ideas, please know that we’ll respond as soon as we’re able. Unless it bounces back to you, we’ve gotten your email and will be in touch.

What to include in your email:Your nameYour hometownYour preferred pronounsA short (fewer than 100 words) description of your pitch/idea
The name of the category/subcategory/column where you think your piece belongs

We do not accept attachments. Please cut and paste your written work into the body of the email, directly following your short description of the work.

Word CountLove, Life, and Daily Germs category submissions: 10–250 words.Other article submissions: between 500–800 words.

We can’t wait to hear from you! ♥

Love,

The Germ Staff

***We will never promote bullying, racism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, or transphobia, and we reserve the right to block users’ comments or submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines. We will not promote or produce mindlessly graphic or explicit content (violent, sexual, or otherwise), but we will be real when it comes to sex, relationships, and sexuality.***

MEET THE PLAYWRIGHT (LAB) RFP weeks NYC-based BIPOC playwrights

Website

Deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) is pleased to open its application portal for the 6th annual Meet the Playwright (MTP) program, now expanded into an 8-month MTP Lab for professional development and showcasing new, unpublished, unproduced plays by a four-member cohort.

MTP Lab will continue to spotlight early-career theater writers who identify as BIIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Immigrant, People of Color). While MTP prioritizes Queens-based writers identifying as BIIPOC, any NYC-based BIIPOC playwright may apply. Applicants will be selected by a peer jury comprised of playwrights, creative professionals, and cultural leaders representing the diversity of NYC’s theater community.

Led by Program Manager Iyvon E., the MTP Lab is a cohort-based playwright residency that invests in early-career writers through long-arc career and dramaturgical development combined with industry mentorship and access. This takes the form of biweekly convenings (remote, offsite, and at JCAL), professional development workshops, and mentoring processes. Two mentors in particular—a playwright mentor and a producing/directing mentor—drives the playwrights’ growth, amplifying and deepening progress made in regular writing labs through one-on-one support and seminars with guest speakers.

The MTP Lab culminates in a staged reading of a new work by each member of the cohort at JCAL’s 94-seat studio theater that is free and open to the public, followed by a moderated Q&A with the audience and a reception in the playwright’s honor. Each cohort member receives $300 per month, a total of $2,400, for participation in the program. Each playwright may also schedule up to 100 hours of free rehearsal space prior to the staged reading.

Timeline (Important Dates)

LAB MEETINGS (WEDNESDAYS 7:00 pm–9:00 pm)

October 2026 

· October 7, 2026

· October 21, 2026 

November 2026 

· November 4, 2026 

· November 18, 2026 

December 2026 

· December 2, 2026

· December 16, 2026 

January 2027 

· January 6, 2027 

· January 20, 2027 

February 2027

· Feb 10, 2027

· Feb 24, 2027

March 2027

· March 10, 2027

· March 24, 2027

April 2027

· April 7, 2027

· April 21, 2027

May 2027

· May 5, 2027

· May 19, 2027

Public Reading Dates (FRIDAYS 8:00 pm)

· Feb 19, 2027

· March 19, 2027

· April 16, 2027

· May 14, 2027

Eligibility & Criteria 

· All applications and materials MUST be submitted via Submittable.com. Applications received by other methods, such as dropping off or handing directly to JCAL personnel, will not be considered.

· Playwrights submit 25 pages of a fully developed play and 10 pages of a new play that they propose to develop through the program. Semi-finalists will be invited to submit the complete manuscript of their fully developed work.

· The proposed play, when completed, typically has a running time of 90 minutes or less.

· Playwrights whose work has had professional productions beyond the Actors’ Equity Showcase Code are not eligible for this program.

· Playwrights must be age 18 or older to participate.

Selection 

· Submissions are reviewed and adjudicated by a peer jury of theater professionals.

· The jury will select finalists for interviews with the Project Manager and JCAL leadership.

· Interviews take place virtually during the week of August 9, 2026, and August 16, 2026.

· Four selected playwrights for the MTP LAB will be notified during the week of August 30, 2026.

About JCAL

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual and performing arts and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts.

JCAL’s core service area is Southeast Queens. We welcome artists, learners, and audiences to the Jamaica Arts Center and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, both in downtown Jamaica, and to partner sites, such as the public schools and senior centers in Queens. We also welcome artists, learners, and audiences to partner projects at the Red Wall Art Gallery at Resorts World New York City, Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Greater Nexus, operated by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

When selecting artists, we give priority to those who live or practice in Southeast Queens, followed by artists from throughout the “world’s borough,” and then from the Greater New York City area and beyond. Our arts and education programs similarly aim to “super-serve” Queens audiences—and to welcome everyone to downtown Jamaica.

JCAL is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and is closed on major holidays. For additional information, call JCAL at 718-658-7400 or visit www.JCAL.org.

Contact:

Dsmith@JCAL.org

Workshops with Theatre du Mississippi of Winona Minnesota

Website

Deadline: Various

Whether you're a beginner, an experienced writer, or someone with a story to tell, our upcoming FREE/pay what you can playwriting workshops offer creative, practical, and inspiring ways to develop your voice and craft

Diverse Character Creation (July 8th 7:30pm-8:30pm CST | Zoom)
Learn how to write diverse, authentic characters through ethical representation, research, and cultural consultation.

Zoom, Registration Required, Asynchronous Option Available.

Fundamentals of Playwriting (July 30th 7:30pm-8:30pm CST | Zoom)
Learn the core elements of playwriting, including character, conflict, and dramatic structure, through discussion and activities.

Zoom, Registration Required, Asynchronous Option Available.

Playwriting for Social Change (August 2nd 2pm-5pm CST | Zoom)
Explore Theatre for Social Change and collaboratively devise a short performance addressing a social issue.

Zoom, Registration Required, Asynchronous Option Available.

The Art of Listening (August 16th 2pm-5pm CST | Zoom)
Discover listening and play-based techniques to spark ideas, overcome writer’s block, and start writing with confidence.
Zoom, Registration Required, Asynchronous Option Available.

Creating a One Act (Thursdays September 24th - October 15th | Reading on November 12th). Winona, MN
Great writing takes practice! Learn the essentials of playwriting in a supportive, low-stress workshop focused on creativity, skill-building, and real progress! From page to stage.
Calendar to register:
https://tdmwinona.org/calendar?category=Playwriting+Workshop

For the zoom workshops you can live anywhere! We’ve had international people join us. For the creating a one act you must be in person in Winona, MN.

'The Soliloquist Journal' seeks submissions of poems and soliloquies for Summer 2026 issue

Website

Deadline: July 10, 2026

Email your work as a single Word or PDF document to thesoliloquistmag@gmail.com.
Subject Line: Summer 2026 Submission – [Your Name]

What to send: Up to 5 original, unpublished poems or soliloquies.
Length: Maximum of 40 lines per poem.
Bio: Include a 50–70 word author bio written in the third person.

Publication: July 15, 2026

Theme: The Architecture of Solitude

Solitude is rarely a vast, empty space—it is built. It has walls we erect to protect our innermost selves, windows through which we watch a noisy world, drafty corners of loneliness, and sacred sanctuaries of deliberate peace.

For our Summer 2026 Issue, The Soliloquist Journal invites poets and writers to map these internal structures. Show us how you inhabit your quietest hours. What does the room of the self look like when the door is closed and the world is locked outside?

We are looking for raw, vulnerable, and authentic poetry and soliloquies that interrogate the blueprints of our private lives.

Subthemes to Inspire You

Sanctuaries and Strongholds: Spaces built for healing, private rituals, and self-preservation.

The View from the Window: The tension between watching the world pass by and being part of it.

Liminal Spaces: Corridors, thresholds, and navigating the quiet phases of becoming.

Inhabiting the Quiet: The sensory experience of being completely alone—when the internal monologue grows loud.

Shared Solitudes: The unique loneliness that occurs even while standing in a crowd.

15 Minutes of Frame 4th Annual Playwrights Competition: Battle of the Plays

Instagram

Deadline: July 7, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

We are looking for 7 original 15-minute plays, along with 50 potential actors (Equity + Non-Aquity) and 7 directors.

All genres are welcome in the creation of theatre.

Submitted plays must be original works created by playwrights living in the Tri-State area who are available to participate in the competition.

The Winning play will be developed into a full-length production

Rules:

• Original short plays, including drama, comedy, musical theatre, or dance theatre, submitted by a living playwright
• Maximum length: 15 minutes
• Cast size: maximum of 7 performers
• All selected plays will be performed during the competition
• Audience votes will determine the winner
• The winning play will be developed into a full-length production

• Please include:

• Name

• Resume

• Headshot

• Bio

• Social media links

If you are a playwright, submit your play attached as a PDF file.

Submit your materials via. the link below.

Join us! Be part of it all
15 Minutes of Frame 2026
Thank you,
15 Minutes of Frame
Lucky’s Lighting Inc. & 24 Bond Arts Center

Submissions for Boo! are now OPEN

Website

Deadline: July 25, 2026

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

Scare us or force us to laugh till we die – horror plays and musicals including a great spoof.

Plays run one weekend out of three in October 2026
Oct 8 – 11
Oct 15 – 18
Oct 22 – 25
Thur – Sat 7pm; Sun 3pm

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 plays featured each week. 

ELIGIBILITY: Short Plays and Musicals with a performance time of 15 minutes or less, no more than 15 pages in length. Writers are eligible to submit up to 2 plays. Plays submitted must not have performances at other venues in New York City within a three month period preceding the festival.

PRIZE: Each week an audience favorite is selected by audience vote. The winner of each week will receive $100 prize 

THEME: “BOO” Scare us or force us to laugh till we die – horror plays and musicals including a great spoof are welcome! 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 and no more than 15 pages.

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.

Making It Happen: Festival of 15 Minute Musicals

Website

Deadline: July 6, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Making It Happen: 15 Minute Musicals is a new short musical festival presented by The Theater Center, created to give writers, composers, lyricists, and creative teams the opportunity to present original musical theatre work on an Off-Broadway stage in the heart of Times Square.

We are now accepting submissions for fully original 15-minute musicals. Selected musicals will perform at The Theater Center on one of three preliminary performance nights: Wednesday, August 12, Wednesday, August 19, or Wednesday, August 26. Each evening will feature 3 musicals, with audiences and judges voting to determine one winner from each night. The three nightly winners will advance to the Finals on Wednesday, September 2, where one overall winner will receive a $5,000 prize.

All submitted material must be fully original, including book, music, and lyrics. Teams must have the rights to perform all submitted material.

This is a non-union festival. All casts, creative teams, musicians, and production personnel must be non-union.

We strongly urge that your cast size is 6 or less.

Selected teams will be responsible for providing their own cast, director, stage manager, music director, and live musicians/accompanist. Live music is required. Tracks are not permitted. No microphones will be used or provided, so pieces must be able to be performed acoustically in the space.

Productions should be simple, flexible, and festival-ready. Selected teams will receive performance space, basic technical support, box office services, festival-wide marketing, and a technical rehearsal slot on the day of their performance.

Please only submit if you and your team are available for the preliminary performance dates and, if selected as a finalist, the final performance on September 2.