Charles M. Getchell New Play Contest 2026

Website

Deadline: August 15 at 11:59 PM

or until 150 submissions are received

SUBMISSION FORM

Charles M. Getchell New Contest is dedicated to the discovery, development and publicizing of worthy new plays and playwrights.

The Charles M. Getchell New Play Award, administered by the Southeastern Theatre Conference, supports the discovery, development, and public recognition of strong new plays.

The contest is designed to identify a worthy full-length play for development through SETC, including a staged reading at the annual SETC Convention.

For the 2026–2027 cycle, SETC has revised eligibility guidelines that honor the organization’s Southeastern roots while opening the contest to playwrights whose work is meaningfully connected to the American South and features stories of that region. For purposes of this contest, SETC’s region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. SETC will also consider work connected to the broader American South when the playwright clearly identifies that connection in the application

Regional and Artistic Connection

Eligible playwrights must meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. The playwright currently resides in the American South;

2. The playwright was raised in, educated in, or has a significant personal, professional, or artistic connection to the American South; or

3. The submitted play is directly connected to, or in sustained conversation with the American South, including its people, histories, cultures, communities, landscapes, conflicts, traditions, or contemporary realities.

• The awardee receives: A $1,000 cash award
• Support toward participation in the annual SETC Convention; including registration and travel stipend
• A professional critique and developmental support
• A staged reading of the selected play at the SETC Convention
• Additional visibility through SETC publications, online platforms, and new play development partners as space is available 

Theatre Off the Square 2026 New Works Contest

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Deadline: May 31, 2026

Send scripts to: info@theatreoffthesquare.org

Please submit scripts without identifying information (Playwright's name, address, etc.)

Each entry must be an original, unpublished work.

Final work must be submitted by May 31. No additional edits can be submitted for consideration after this date.

We are not considering works commissioned by another theater.

Playwrights must be willing to travel for a staged reading (Weatherford Texas) and, if selected, will be recognized as a special guest on opening night.

Scripts must be between 30 minutes and an hour in length and able to be performed in one act. 

Genre and theme open to the playwright.

The theme does not have to be overt; it can be symbolized throughout.

Community standards will play a role in selecting shows for the staged readings, so please keep content in mind.

The person responsible for the submissions will ensure total anonymity and will not be a reader in the first round of judging.

Please ensure that your name is not on your script

Plays will be judged in two separate categories-Youth for playwrights 17 and under and Adult for playwrights 18+. The category is based on age as of July 3lst, when submissions are due. 

Up to 6 plays will be chosen for staged readings on October 4th, where final judging will occur. This group will include one show from the Youth category and up to 5 from the Adult category. In the event that there are no qualifying Youth participants, all readings will come from the Adult category.
The top two plays will be performed together as a single production at Theatre Off The Square in 2026. The playwright may or may not be consulted for production. 

If interested and approved by the Directors Selection Committee of Theatre Off The Square, winners may also be involved in the production up to directing. 

Winners will each receive $200 and 5 comp ticket

Veterans' 10 Minute Playwrighting Contest 2026

Website

Deadline: June 30, 2026 11:59 PM

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

Designated a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs, a Top College and University by Military Advanced Education, and a Best for Vets College by Military Times, Salem State values our military connected students and their families and the sacrifices they have made for our country. Salem State is committed to supporting Veterans’ voices on and off campus. The arts create unique and powerful opportunities for individuals and groups to share experiences and constructive dialogue. As such, Salem State is proud to announce its seventh annual Veterans Playwriting contest which will culminate in staged readings of selected plays in November 2026.

All playwrights, regardless of military affiliation, are invited to enter Salem State University’s 10-Minute Playwriting Contest. However, preference will be given to those with a direct military connection. This includes active-duty military, reservists, National Guard, Veterans, and direct family of any of these.

The theme of the play should directly touch on military service and/or how military service affects a community. The contest and festival look to recognize and celebrate those that have served and currently serve. We are looking to bring together a variety of voices exploring both the challenges and the victories and positive influences that Veterans have on our community.

Judges will select finalists, whose plays will be part of a series of staged readings in November 2026.

Important Dates

June 30, 2026 - Entry deadline

August 15, 2026 - Notification of finalists

November 2026 – Staged readings with post-performance discussions. Additional details forthcoming.

Contest RulesOnly submissions through Submittable will be considered.

• One submission per playwright.
• Only original plays, not-yet produced or published, are eligible.
• All plays are judged blind. Do not include any personal, identifying information anywhere on your submission.
• Musicals and adaptations are not eligible.
• Simultaneous submissions are allowed. If your play is accepted elsewhere, please let us know immediately. If your play is chosen to be performed, you agree to withdraw your play from all other places where it is under consideration.
• By submitting, you agree to allow Salem State University to produce the first staged reading of your play.
• Scripts meeting the rules and submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by judges.
• Judging will be done by SSU faculty and members of the SSU Veterans’ community.

Judging Criteria

StoryPlot seems fresh, intriguing and original
Something happens; sufficient conflict and tension throughout the play
Plot is active, vital and dramatic on stage
Story moves along; pace is engaging

VoiceStrong, interesting writing style
Clear viewpoint that’s well integrated into the play

CharactersInteresting and compelling characters
Characters seem credible and real
Main character evolves or develops through the course of the play

DialogueDialogue suits the characters
Dialogue sounds natural and credible for the plot and location
Each character has own unique voice
Dialogue seems fresh and compelling (not dull, boring, or generic)

AppropriatenessThe play can be staged in the 10-minute time allotment in a black box theatre with limited set, sound, and design.

Overall effectPlay is transformative and memorable

Submitting Your Work

The script must be in standard playwriting format with 12-point Courier font. Use double spacing when changing from one character to another. Use single spacing everywhere else. If you are unfamiliar with standard playwriting format, please check out this example.

PLAYS THAT FAIL TO MEET THESE CRITERIA WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Questions: email arts@salemstate.edu

Passage Theatre Seeks One-Person Plays Centering Untold American Stories for Summer 2026 Festival

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Deadline: April 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM

SUBMISSION FORM

Passage Theatre is holding a WORD ON FRONT 250 Solo Performance contest. A “Solo Performance” means a one-person show, written and performed by YOU. Give us your uniquely Trenton American Story. What does it mean to be YOU? What does it mean to be an American, a New Jerseyan, a Trentonian, or from whatever patch of land you call home. Show us your untold America.

Playwright/Performers must be local to travel to Trenton, NJ (a direct train ride from New York City) at their own expense and self-produce their one-person show.

Seeking submissions of one-person shows to run between 30-60 minutes.

The top 5 plays will be selected to premiere at Passage Theatre’s WORD ON FRONT 250 festival on the following dates:

Saturday, June 27th
Thursday, July 2nd
Friday, July 10th

Plays will be adjudicated by a panel of judges selected from Passage Staff and the Trenton Community.Passage Theatre is holding our WORD ON FRONT 250 Solo Performance contest. 

A “Solo Performance” means a one-person show, written and performed by you. Give us your uniquely Trenton American Story. What does it mean to be YOU? What does it mean to be an American, a New Jerseyan, a Trentonian, or from whatever patch of land you call home. Show us your untold America.

The top 5 plays will be selected to premiere at Passage Theatre’s WORD ON FRONT 250 festival on the following dates:

• Saturday, June 27th
• Thursday, July 2nd
• Friday, July 10th

Plays will be adjudicated by a panel of judges selected from Passage Staff and the Trenton Community.

Plays will be adjudicated by a panel of judges selected from Passage Staff and

the Trenton Community.

• All submissions must include a complete fully-finished script. Passage Theatre will NOT make any edits to your script before winners are announced, it must be ready for performance at the time of submission.

• Scripts should adhere to standard playwriting format: 12-point Courier New font, 1-inch margins, and 1.5-inch left margin. Key elements include centered, all-caps Scene Headings, indented and italicized Stage Directions, and centered character names above dialogue. The script is single-spaced with double-spacing between speakers. Here is an example of a properly formatted page.

• Scripts must be 30-70 pages in length. Scripts that are under 30 pages or over 70 pages will be disqualified. Your final performance should be roughly 60 minutes or less.

• Filmed clips of your performance work in addition to your script is strongly preferred.

• The script must be of your own authorship, it is preferred that the performer and author are the same person. If you choose to use a different performer than yourself you are accepting full responsibility and guidance over that performer. If you do not have a performer and are unwilling to perform yourself, your script will be disqualified.

• Passage Theatre will not be responsible for the direction of your script. If a director is needed, you must provide them. Passage Staff may give minor directorial consultation during rehearsals, upon request of the performer.

• Performances selected will occur during late June and early July 2026. Passage Theatre will provide your technical sound and lighting elements. Technical rider must be attached:
• In a separate document explain your TECH: Lights, Sound, Costumes,
• Props, and Set. Passage will facilitate and produce your technical elements to the best of our ability. The author/performer must have these elements designed and guide the creative vision.
• The author/performer must provide props and costumes.
• No firearms of any kind, including props, can be included in these performances.
• Video projection must be limited to 10 minutes or less throughout the entire script.
• Passage Theatre will not be constructing any full scenery pieces beyond the WORD ON FRONT tableau.

Babes with Blades Joining Sword & Pen 2026-27 Competition

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Deadline: May 1, 2026 at midnight CDT

Please email your JS&P pitch submission in a PDF file to swordandpen@babeswithblades.org. 

(The filename must start with “Pitch for -” and the title of the proposed play (ex. “Pitch for – Patchwork Drifter.pdf”). If the title of the play begins with “the,” “a,” or “an,” please place that article at the end of the title (ex. “Pitch for – Last Daughter of Oedipus, The.pdf”). We understand in many cases these will be working titles.)

For this round of the competition, we’re looking for submissions from playwrights of underrepresented genders. This includes cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and those who are otherwise marginalized based on gender.

Inspirational Image for JS&P 2026-2027 Competition:

We’ve chosen a new inspirational image to be incorporated into the 2026-27 contest and this year we’re seeking commissions and asking for script pitches.

IMPORTANT: This will be a BLIND SUBMISSION PROCESS.

THE PITCH:

• Please send us a pitch for your script. Full length scripts will not be accepted this year.
• Please include the following in your pitch:What is your idea for this play?
• How will you incorporate the contest image into the play specifically?
• How does your idea fit Babes’ mission?
• A 10 page sample of a currently existing play (not previously submitted to BWBTC) that you think best showcases your work and style*. Please do not include any self identifying information (ie. Name, email, website, etc.) as this is a blind submission process.

*If you would like to submit some actual exploratory/rough draft pages of the moment where the contest image occurs, rather than describing it, you may do so, but it is not required to write new pages at this point of the contest.

Script submissions for JS&P accepted between March 2, 2026 and May 1, 2026.
Want more info? Contact swordandpen@babeswithblades.org.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. The moment depicted in the inspirational image (above) must be physically dramatized/incorporated into the play. We want to (literally) perform that moment on stage. We will not accept pitches that do not include the imagery and we will not contact you.

2. Pitches/stories must be inclusive of the BIPOC community. Whether the story lends itself to characters being played by actors of any race/ethnicity or whether it includes stories that are race-specific, BIPOC characters must not be limited to secondary or background characters. “Open gender” is an option. If it’s important that a character is cisgender or transgender, please specify this in your pitch. If it’s important that a character is of a particular racial/ethnic background (including white), please specify this in your pitch. Characters of unspecified racial/ethnic background will not be automatically assumed to be white. If you choose to include a list of potential characters in your pitch, please follow these guidelines.

3. Joining Sword & Pen (JS&P) submissions are due NO LATER than midnight (CST) on May 1st, 2026.

4. All JS&P pitch submissions must be for new, full length, original works, inspired by the artwork that is the focus of the contest. Previously written, workshopped, published or performed submissions will not be considered for the contest and we will not contact you. Please do not insert the contest image into an existing script.

5. Please email your JS&P pitch submission in a PDF file to swordandpen@babeswithblades.org. The filename must start with “Pitch for -” and the title of the proposed play (ex. “Pitch for – Patchwork Drifter.pdf”). If the title of the play begins with “the,” “a,” or “an,” please place that article at the end of the title (ex. “Pitch for – Last Daughter of Oedipus, The.pdf”). We understand in many cases these will be working titles.

6. The winner of the contest agrees to participation in the Fighting Words new plays program (workshops and festival reading – dates TBD), and grants Babes With Blades Theatre Company rights to produce the world premiere production of the winning play. Production dates are TBD for 2028 (subject to change).

Things to consider:

• Our mission statement: Babes With Blades Theatre Company uses stage combat to tell stories that elevate the voices of underrepresented communities and dismantle the patriarchy. Through performance, script development, training and outreach, our ensemble creates theatre that explores the wide range of the human experience, and cultivates broader perspectives in the arts community and in society as a whole.
• We do not accept or produce musical scripts.
• Both our venues and our budgets tend to be small.
• If your play does not pass the Bechdel Test, it is unlikely to fit our mission.
• If your play does not include stage combat, it does not fit our mission.
• Characters fight as a realization of high narrative stakes. Scenes of characters training to fight are usually lacking in stakes.
• If your script includes sexualized violence, consider whether the sexualization is truly necessary to the story. Sometimes it is; often it’s not.

Click here to learn more about Joining Sword & Pen

FIRST DRAFTS STUDENT EDITION @ 54 BELOW

Website

Deadline: April 7, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

In an industry that usually takes years to bring work in front of an audience, musical theatre songwriters and teams are called to submit their newest material.

Last October, Showpeople brought its premiere iteration of First Drafts to the Green Room 42, where it proved to be the company’s greatest success in the cabaret space, bringing in a packed audience to witness 19 singers and 4 musicians perform the never-before-heard work of 23 extremely-talented songwriters.

Now, we want to do it all again, but with a focus on bringing to life the work of student musical theatre writers with eligibility open to high school (though we won’t turn away a very talented middle schooler!) and undergraduate students.

So, if you’re in high school or pursuing an undergraduate degree, are writing a musical either alone or with a team, and would like to see a song of yours performed at 54 Below, we’re looking for you!

If interested, please use the form to submit one or two of your best songs that fit the criteria (only one per writer/team would be chosen). This can be through YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, or any easily accessible link (and don't forget to triple check the privacy settings). Include a demo(s) (obviously, it doesn't have to be highly produced) and/or ideally a PDF(s) of the sheet music.

As student writers, we understand creating both a demo and sheet music may be beyond your capabilities at this stage of your writing development, so if only one is possible, we understand, and, if you song is chosen and you are interested, part of the experience will involve working with members of the Showpeople team on how to make demos and scores of your original music that sound and look professional.

Chosen songs will be orchestrated (if they are not already) for a band of four musicians (piano, guitar, bass, and drums), rehearsed, and ultimately performed at 54 Below by professional NYC theatre performers. The writers will be encouraged (but not required) to take part in as much of this as they’d like. With our last First Drafts concert, the writers played an important part in the rehearsal process, giving great insight to the singers and music director about how to best bring their stories to life, and some even performed themselves! Additionally, writers will be asked to introduce their songs (briefly) at the concert.

Selected writers who choose to have some part in the actual performance (either presenting before or performing their song) will be considered part of the show and will therefore get in for free. However, due to the large number of writers and limited number of comps provided by the venue, if you choose to not be part of the performance in any way but only wish to attend as an audience member, you will have to purchase a ticket(s).

The deadline to submit is April 7st, 2026, and all writers will hear by May 5th, 2026 whether their work is selected or not. Writers whose work isn’t selected will be given the feedback of the selection committee.

Best of luck!

Contact showpeoplecollective@gmail.com with any questions or visit showpeopletheatrecollective.com
DURATION

The Chameleon Theatre Circle's 27th Annual New Play Contest

Website

Deadline: March 17, 2026

NOTE: THEY HAVE FILLED THEIR QUOTA FOR FULL-LENGTH PLAYS AND 10-MINUTE PLAYS

They are still seeking one-act plays, musicals and theater for young audiences work.

The extended deadline for submissions is March 17, 2026 (for email submissions) and March 20, 2026 (for paper submissions).

The Chameleon Theatre Circle (located in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota) is seeking original works that have never been produced. All styles and genres are welcomed (i.e. one-acts, musicals, full-length dramas, etc.). The winning plays are tentatively scheduled to be read in a concert-format festival in the fall of 2026. All shows submitted will automatically be placed on the slate of shows in consideration for future seasons.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
We are proud to announce that for the 27th consecutive year we are not charging a submission fee! Entries may be made either via email or on paper but not both. Submission limits per playwright are one full-length play or one one-act play or two 10-minute plays. A maximum of 65 full-length plays, 65 one-act plays, 125 10-minute plays, 15 musicals, and 15 theatre-for-youth plays will be accepted.

To submit via email, send a copy of the script in pdf or word format to jim@chameleontheatre.org. If submitting a musical, also send a copy of the music in mp3 format or a link to a public website where we can download the music in mp3 format. Also send a completed and signed entry form. Do not include any author identification information on the submitted scripts.

To submit via paper, complete and sign an entry form, and send it along with a copy of the script to the address below. We request that script copies be printed double-sided to save on paper, mailing costs, and storage. If you are submitting a musical, also include a copy of the music in mp3 format on a CD or flash drive. Do not include any author identification information on the submitted scripts.

Mailing Address
The Chameleon Theatre Circle
27th Annual New Play Contest
7287 153rd St W # 240069
Apple Valley MN 55124

The deadline for submissions is March 17, 2026 (for email submissions) and March 20, 2026 (for paper submissions).

We will distribute the scripts "blind" to our readers for complete objectivity. Include the show's title on at least the first page. Once the winning scripts have been chosen, we will disclose the playwrights' identity to our readers (and the world).

We do not accept plays that have been previously produced. We do accept plays that have only had workshops and other readings. Receipt of play(s) will be acknowledged by e-mail only upon request. Scripts are non-returnable.

As in past years, this year's contest will have multiple categories.

ONE-ACT (MEDIUM LENGTH) PLAYS

Winners will receive $50 each plus a reading at the New Play Festival. Any play that can be joined with one or two other plays of similar length to make up a complete evening of theatre will be entered in this contest. Generally, scripts with more than 20 and up to 60 pages of dialog will fall into this category.

MUSICALS

If five or more musicals are submitted, Chameleon reserves the right to create a "musical" category. Musicals are defined as any original play using original or rights permitted musical dialogue to further the story and/or the characters. Winners, if any, will be awarded a prize amount based on the length of the musical i.e., full-length, one-act, or 10-minute. In the absence of enough qualifying scripts, or if Chameleon decides not to create an additional category, musical submissions will be entered into the appropriate category as defined above.

THEATRE-FOR-YOUTH

If five or more plays intended for and/or by youth are submitted, Chameleon reserves the right to create a "theatre-for-youth" category. Theatre-for-youth plays are defined as any original play intended for young audiences, young participants, or both. Winners, if any, will be awarded a prize amount based on the length of the play i.e., full-length, one-act, or 10-minute. In the absence of enough qualifying scripts, or if Chameleon decides not to create an additional category, theatre-for-youth submissions will be entered into the appropriate category as defined above.

DO NOT SEND THEY HAVE ENOUGH 10-MINUTE PLAYS

TEN-MINUTE (SHORT) PLAYS

Winners will receive $25 each plus a reading at the New Play Festival. All short plays will be entered in this contest. Generally, scripts with 20 pages or less of dialog fall into this category.'

DO NOT SEND THEY HAVE ENOUGH FULL-LENGTH PLAYS

FULL-LENGTH PLAYS

Winners will receive $100 plus a reading at the New Play Festival. Any play that can constitute a complete evening of theatre will be entered in this contest. Generally, scripts of over 60 pages of dialog will fall into this category. It is important to note that these plays can be only one act if it makes up a complete evening of theatre.

Ivo Review 10-minute monologue contest

Website

Deadline: January 30, 2026

Send submissions to editorivoreview@gmail.com. 

The subject line should be the THEME of the issue for which you are submitting work and the CATEGORY of the submission. (Example: LOST - POETRY) Please include a short cover letter with a short 3rd person author's bio in the body of the e-mail and attach submissions in a single .docx attachment.

For this contest we are looking for ten minute monologues for stage performance.

Please do not send us previously published works for this contest, as we are looking for new pieces.
These monologues can be on any theme - Winners and Honorable Mentions will be published in Issue Three of the review.


The deadline for the contest is January 30, 2026. There is no monetary cost for the contest and our general rights statement applies (see our Submission Guidelines for more details!) Any questions about the contest can be sent to editorivoreview@gmail.com.


Token payment prizes subject to our budget in January will be provided to winners and honorable mentions.


What We Look For

We are looking for prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, hybrid works, and dramatic works from emerging and established writers from around the world, particularly writers from historically underrepresented communities. We love the concept of narrative - we want to read storytellers telling stories in whatever form that takes for you.

Works should be primarily in English.

We consider simultaneous submissions but if a work is accepted elsewhere please let us know. We will be thrilled for you! We consider reprints but please indicate the original publication so that it can be credited - with a link to the work if possible so that we can also link to that publication.

We love visual art submissions and are always looking for cover art.

We will not consider AI generated work. At this time we are also not considering translations.



How to Submit

For art, please submit one piece that you would like considered for our cover art.

For poetry and flash or micro-fiction, please submit up to five (5) pieces of up to 100 lines for poetry. We consider micro-fiction to be up to 350 words, and flash to be 351 - 1000 words.

For longer works of fiction, non-fiction, or dramatic works please send up to two (2) pieces of up to 3000 words.

For dramatic works, we consider works that would be able to be produced as a 10 minute play or shorter. We love long dramatic monologues, but will also consider ensemble pieces.

Send submissions to editorivoreview@gmail.com. The subject line should be the THEME of the issue for which you are submitting work and the CATEGORY of the submission. (Example: LOST - POETRY) Please include a short cover letter with a short 3rd person author's bio in the body of the e-mail and attach submissions in a single .docx attachment.

Submissions that do not follow these simple guidelines will not be read.

Gitelman & Good Publishers Playwrights Contest

Website

Deadline: December 31, 2025

Send your submission to submit@gitelmangoodpublishers.com

Please consider submitting your full-length play for high schoolers on the theme of "A Better World." Three winners will be selected for an opportunity to have their submitted play published in the Gitelman & Good Publishers catalog.

As a contest participant, your play will be reviewed ahead of general submissions.

Theme: "A Better World"

If you have a great full-length play for high schoolers that explores this theme, please read the submission guidelines below and send your submission to submit@gitelmangoodpublishers.com.

Artistic Guidelines. Please consider the following contest guidelines before submitting. We seek plays that...

• Explore the theme "A Better World." 
• Are challenging, beautiful, and fun. 
• Explore the lived experiences of adolescents. 
• Are appropriate for high-school actors and audiences. 
• Are full-length (greater than 60 minutes). 
• Have been produced, with production photos. 

Prize: $1,000

Author Information. Please provide a submissions packet that includes:

• Name 
• Email address 
• Preferred gender pronouns (optional) 
• Artistic statement, endeavors, and/or goals 

Script Information. Please provide:

• The entire script 
• Production history 
• Production photos 
• Other relevant information (optional) 

p.s. If you have a great play that you'd like to submit that does not explore this theme, we'd still love to read it! Please visit this page for general submission guidelines.

The Yale Drama Series 2026

Website

Deadline: August 15, 2025 EDT 

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

Hardcopy submissions are also possible - no staples:

Send the manuscript to Yale Drama Series, P.O. Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040.

The Yale Drama Series is seeking submissions for its 2026 playwriting competition. The winning play will be selected by the series’ current judge, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The winner of this annual competition will be awarded the David Charles Horn Prize of $10,000, publication of their manuscript by Yale University Press, and a staged reading at the Schwarzman Center at Yale University. The prize and publication are contingent on the playwright’s agreeing to the terms of the publishing agreement.

There is no entry fee. Please follow these guidelines in preparing your manuscript:

1. This contest is restricted to plays written in the English language. Worldwide submissions are accepted.

2. Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays, with a minimum of 65 pages. Plays with less than 65 pages will not be considered.

3. Translations, adaptations, musicals, and children’s plays are not accepted.

4. The Yale Drama Series is intended to support emerging playwrights. Playwrights may win the competition only once.

5. Playwrights may submit only one manuscript per year. Only manuscripts authored by one playwright are eligible.

6. Plays that have been professionally produced or published are not eligible. Plays that have had a workshop, reading, or non-professional production or that have been published as an actor’s edition will be considered.

7. Plays may not be under option, commissioned, or scheduled for professional production or publication at the time of submission.

8. Plays must be typed/word-processed and page numbered. Plays with images are not accepted.

9. The Yale Drama Series reserves the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.

10. The Yale Drama Series reserves the right of the judge to not choose a winner for any given year of the competition and reserves the right to determine the ineligibility of a winner, in keeping with the spirit of the competition, and based upon the accomplishments of the author.

Before submitting your play, please:

1. Omit your name and contact information from your manuscript and submission file name.

2. Begin your manuscript with a title page that shows the play's title, a 2-3 sentence keynote description of the play, a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes.

3. Enter the title of your play, your name and contact information (including address, phone number, and email address), and a brief biography where indicated in the electronic submission form.

For more information about the Yale Drama Series, please visit:
yalebooks.com/drama
dchornfoundation.org
or email us at yaledramaseries@yale.edu

A+ Playwriting Contest for Teachers 2025

Website

Deadline: June 30, 2025

Sixty years as one of the leading play publishers for the educational market has taught us that some of our best-selling shows are written not by professional playwrights, but by teachers who create a play based on the specific needs of their drama program. Once published, these plays are quickly embraced by other teachers who share the same opportunities, challenges and limitations that seem universal in schools.

We want to encourage the development and publication of quality plays written specifically by teachers and other educators. Our A+ Playwriting Contest for Teachers is open to all teachers employed at an accredited K-12 public or private school in the US or Canada. All plays submitted for publication through this contest must have been produced within the past two years at the school where the playwright teaches.

Submissions will be accepted on an on-going basis with a June 30 cutoff each year. All qualifying manuscripts accepted for publication will be considered contest finalists. Pioneer Drama Service reserves the right to forego naming a winner from the finalists, at its discretion.

The contest winner, selected from contest finalists and announced no later than October 31 each year, will receive a $500 royalty advance and a one-time $500 donation to the school theatre program where the play was first produced.

Contest Rules

Only entries submitted in accordance with all rules will be eligible for consideration.
Playwright must be a current or retired faculty member at an accredited K-12 public or private school in the US or Canada.

• Only entries submitted with an Official Contest Entry Form will be considered.
• Only entries that have been fully staged at the teacher’s school no more than two years prior to the submission date will be considered. We encourage you to take advantage of this production to revise your script as needed before submitting your manuscript.
• All entries must be accompanied by proof of production in the form of a copy of the program, a newsletter or newspaper article, a review, a photo or a letter from the school principal.
• Contest entries must meet all Pioneer Drama general guidelines and requirements for play submission, which can be found at pioneerdrama.com/playwrights/submit.asp.
• Individuals currently published by Pioneer Drama Service are not eligible for this contest. Pioneer Drama Service employees and their families are also excluded.

All manuscripts submitted for this contest will automatically be simultaneously considered for our annual Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest, which is open to all individuals not previously published by Pioneer Drama Service. See pioneerdrama.com for more details.

Questions? Contact us by email or by calling 800-333-7262.

Louise Wigglesworth Excellence in Playwriting Contest

Website

Deadline: January 10, 2025 at midnight

or when they reach capacity

They have reached capacity - do not send.

Thank you for your interest in the Louise Wigglesworth Excellence in Playwriting Contest, held annually at The Laboratory Theater of Florida.

This contest honors one of the theater's founders, noted playwright Louise Wigglesworth.

As a teaching theater, The Laboratory Theater of Florida is committed to the development of new work. There is no entry fee for this competition.

We accept:

Unproduced, full-length (90 minutes+) plays. The play may not have been produced. If an offer is made before the announcement ofthe winning play, the playwright agrees to pull the play from consideration. (Previous readings and workshops are acceptable).

Scripts must follow any internationally recognized stage play format, with a basic 12-point font (examples: Times New Roman, Garamond, Courier New, Verdana, etc.), and be submitted in .pdf or Word format.

Playwrights must include a one-paragraph synopsis (Objective, goal, quick plot summary.) Along with character descriptions andsettings. 

We are not accepting submissions for musicals at this time. 

International entries are accepted, but the play must be submitted in English. 

One submission per playwright. Additional submissions by a playwright will result in ALL work being disqualified for this year's competition.

Resubmissions are only accepted after significant revisions.

The plays will be read (judged) blind. Please do not include your name or any identifying information on the script. Plays submitted with identifying information will be immediately disqualified. 

A new submission opening will be added for every play disqualified. 

No email submissions will be accepted for consideration. Only submissions entered through this portal will be accepted. 

If chosen, the playwright is invited to discuss creative input from our professional staff. 

The winning play(s) will be presented in a May 1-3 concert reading.

If selected, the playwright agrees to provide a 250-word bio and headshot for publicity purposes. 

The winning playwright(s) may be offered the opportunity to participate in a virtual talkback.

The playwright has the option of having the concert reading recorded for online viewing. After the playwright has the opportunity to view the video, the theater may post it online for a short time with playwright's approval.

Winners will be notified on March 19th.

Whether or not you choose to receive texts and/or emails from The Laboratory Theater of Florida does not impact your chances of winning in any way.

Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest 2025

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Deadline: December 31, 2024

To encourage the development of quality theatrical materials for the educational, community and children’s theatre markets, Pioneer Drama Service is proud to sponsor the annual Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest.

Submissions will be accepted on an on-going basis with a December 31 cutoff each year. All eligible plays accepted for publication will be considered contest finalists, from which the winner will be selected by April 30 of the year following submission. The contest winner will receive a $1,000 royalty advance in addition to publication.

Contest entries must meet all general guidelines and submission requirements.

Individuals currently published by Pioneer Drama Service are not eligible for this contest. Pioneer Drama Service employees and their families are also excluded.

If you are a faculty member at an accredited K-12 public or private school in the US or Canada, you may also qualify for our A+ Playwriting Contest for Teachers.


Before sending a manuscript, playwrights should begin the process by sending a query using our submissions contact page. A proper query will include the title, a short plot synopsis up to 200 words, an approximate running time, and details on the complete cast of characters.

Be sure to read our submission overview first.

Submit your work...

Electronic submissions via email are preferred. To submit via email, please query first using the link provided above. If we respond favorably, we will provide the email address for your electronic submission.

Hardcopy manuscript submissions are accepted at this address:
Pioneer Drama Service
Attn: Acquisitions Editor
109 Inverness Dr. E
Suite H
Englewood, CO 80112


Whether submitting a hardcopy or a digital manuscript, the following information must accompany your submission. Some of this duplicates information from your query, which ensures that we process your submission properly.

Cover letter and/or resume. This can explain your theatre involvement and why you were inspired to write this play.

100-200 word synopsis. 

 
Cast list. It should indicate the number of female roles, the number of male roles, and the number of roles that can be performed by any gender. We do not accept one-person shows.
Running time.

CD and/or score for musicals. We appreciate the opportunity to hear the music, if possible.
Set design(s). Please feel free to provide diagrams, photos, and/or sketches.

A DVD or a link to a past performance is ideal, though not required.

For hardcopy submissions, a self-addressed envelope of sufficient size with appropriate postage for the return of any materials you wish returned. We will NOT return any material if this is not included.

Please be patient. Queries will be answered within approximately one week. Submissions may take up to three months or longer.

Manuscripts written in part or in whole by A.I. will not be considered.

Kinsman Avenue Publishing Holiday Playwright Contest

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Deadline: Nov 15, 2024 11:59 PM

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

We are looking for holiday scripts for our upcoming collection Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide. Submissions should include one-act shorts with themes of holidays, especially from BIPOC and underrepresented cultures. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, and Easter. Scripts must be original, unpublished works in English, ideal for families and low-budget organizations. Shorts should be between 10 and 20 pages with less than 6 main characters. Winning scripts receive up to $500 USD and publication. No fees required. Submissions open until November 15, 2024.

Selected submissions will be published on the Kinsman Quarterly website and promoted on its social media sites and printed advertisements. Copyrights of the individual submissions remain with the authors. Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc owns the copyrights to the collection as a unit.

Simultaneous submissions are accepted, however submissions should be withdrawn if accepted elsewhere. To ensure that we are able to publish the unpublished work, winning contestants and finalists are asked to wait a full year after publication before they republish the work themselves or with another organization.

Those Eligible

• individuals 18 years or older
• authors of BIPOC and underrepresented communities preferred, but not restrictive
• must be able to receive award payment through Paypal

Contest Guidelines

• Each entry should be an original, unpublished work by the submitting author, which does not infringe upon the copyrights of another individual or entity. 
• Scipts should be between 10 and 20 pages with less than 6 main characters.
• Submissions must be received by November 15, 2024 at 11:59pm EST.
• Submissions should feature holiday themes with rich cultural content
• Participants may enter more than one submission.
• Changes to the competition entry cannot be made once a work is submitted. However, a revised version may be resubmitted. In such cases, include the word "revision" in the file name. 

Formatting Guidelines (MUST READ) 

• Submission files must be named by Title_AuthorName. Example: "Missing Mary_DoeJohn".
• All entries must be submitted as an MS Word doc/docx or .pdf file. 
• All entries must be in 12-point courier font for in a standard play format. 
• Be sure to remove all track changes from edited text. 
• Entries that do not adhere to guidelines will not be considered. 

​
Prizes

• Grand Prize = $500 cash prize and publication in the collection "Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide" and as individual scripts on the Kinsman Quarterly website. 
• 1st Runner Up = $250 cash prize and publication in the collection "Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide" and as individual scripts on the Kinsman Quarterly website. 
• 2nd Runner Up = $150 cash prize and publication in the collection "Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide" and as individual scripts on the Kinsman Quarterly website. 
• Top 6 Finalists receive a $50 Amazon gift card and publication in the collection "Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide" and as individual scripts on the Kinsman Quarterly website.

A is For Playwriting Contest 2024 for one-act plays

Website

Deadline: October 18, 2024 11:59PM EDT

SUBMISSION PROCESS HERE

You may submit as many plays as you wish. Each play requires a separate entry.

You may not edit an entry after submitting.

Please submit only one-act plays; Full length plays or plays with an intermission will be disqualified.

Plays must NOT be longer than 90 minutes. Plays longer than 90 minutes will be disqualified.

If you have a one-act or full length you would like to submit that is longer than 90 minutes, you may submit a scene, a section, or a cutting, but your submission must not be longer than 90 minutes.

Plays can be as short as they need to be. They can be as short as a single page if you feel that is sufficient to tell your story.

Please submit your files in PDF only.

Plays in languages other than English will be accepted as long as an accompanying English translation is also provided.

Plays should have a cover page that includes the name of the playwright and all relevant contact information.

You must fill out the demographic survey. It is required for entry. Please be assured that your answers will be completely anonymous, and will have no bearing on how your entry is received. A is For is dedicated to being an anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive organization. We need this information in order to hold ourselves accountable for making sure we are reaching the most diverse range of writers possible
Winners

A qualified Jury of accomplished theatre professionals and experts in reproductive justice will read and assess all entries.

Only the winner and runners up will be contacted directly by A is For once the jury has made its decisions.

Grand Prize will be awarded to one play which will receive $5,000

The Second Place winner will be awarded $3,000, and the Third Place winner will be awarded $1,500.

All three plays will be presented as rehearsed readings during our festival.
Support

If you have any questions about the contest or the entry process, please email: contest@aisfor.org

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Americans have endured a steady erosion of protections for our fundamental rights. Not just reproductive rights, but the entire lived experiences of any person who doesn’t neatly fit into a white, cis, male, heteronormative world view.

Are you a playwright wondering how the hell this has happened? Are you interested in exploring themes of stigma and shame, and how to make sense of it all? If you are, we want to hear from you!

Stigma and shame are tools of oppression. This is what A is For seeks to address. Art is the remedy. Theatre allows us to intimately envision ourselves without limitations. This playwriting contest and festival supports and promotes artists who speak truth to power, challenge entrenched narratives, and boldly reframe conversations about reproductive justice.

If this sounds like you, send us a play!

Your play does not have to be about abortion literally. (Although it can be!) If you are exploring the impact of shame and stigma as an obstacle to autonomy and liberation, we’re interested. The plays we hope to bring to the fore will be diverse in perspective as well as imagination. They may be personal and realistic, or they may be allegorical. They may be fantastic, sprung from dreams, or they may be grounded in naturalism. From the surrealist to the literal. From magical realism to documentary. Whatever form or shape they may take, we hope to receive a wide range of works from all over the country – and beyond!* – reflecting the great variety of experiences that reproductive justice and/or bodily autonomy demands we all recognize.While the bulk of our 2023 submissions were from the United States, we do accept plays from playwrights anywhere in the world. Last year we received plays from 14 countries! Reproductive justice and bodily autonomy are global issues.

47th Annual One-Act Playwriting Competition at the Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA)

Website

Deadline: September 16, 2024

For a play to be considered for this competition, the submission(s) must be an original, unpublished, and un-produced (not staged for a paying audience, including festivals with paid tickets, as of the date of entry) play.

LTA intends to provide some form of staged reading or production for the winning plays. At this time, a schedule for this has not been confirmed.

LTA shall have the right to produce winning scripts without payment of royalties in 2024 or 2025. Shows that receive a paid production during the submission period must be withdrawn, with another play allowed for substitution through September 16th. All production and publication rights remain the property of the playwright.

To participate in the 47th Annual One-Act Playwriting competition, you must follow all of the guidelines on the following pages. Any questions can be directed to the One Act Chairs at oneactslta@gmail.com.

Deadline:
You must submit your entry and payment no later than September 16, 2024. If your play is not submitted by this deadline, your play will not be considered for the competition.

How to Submit Your Show:
Please use the link below to fill out our submission form. You will be asked for some information about yourself and to upload your shows directly to the form. If you have any issues submitting your show, please email us at oneactslta@gmail.com. Please note that the form will only allow you to upload a file if you are using a gmail account. If you do not have one, please email us for additional instructions.

LTA One Acts Submission Form

Script Guidelines

• Script Formatting All plays must be sent as a PDF file. Any other electronic format will not be accepted.
• Script must be in blind copy formatting (meaning, no identifying information about the author should appear in the script, including name, address or contact information).
• Script must include a list of characters with descriptions, a brief synopsis of the show, and numbered pages. 

Scripts that do not meet the above guidelines may not be scored.

• The approximate run time of the show must be 20 to 50 minutes.
• Shows cannot include nudity. However, strong themes and language are welcome.
• The submission must be a stage play. Film, TV or other scripts will not be accepted.
• The show cannot be a musical or a play with live instrumentation.
• The show cannot be the same submission from the year prior unless significant

re-writes have been made to the script. For more information, email the chairs at oneactslta@gmail.com.

Technical Requirements 

Given that the winners will be staged, the show must be written to meet technical specifications for the theater. A limited budget (amount yet to be confirmed) will be made available to the production team. Examples from previous years are provided below, but if you have questions on whether your show would meet technical specifications, you can email oneactslta@gmail.com.

Set: One large set piece (e.g., a rooftop) or a few smaller/medium-sized pieces (e.g., a bus seat, sand dunes)
Props and costumes: Should be readily available or easily made
Light and sound: Show should be accommodated with basic lighting instruments and minimal sound effects.
Special effects: Some special effects can be accommodated (e.g., fog) ○ Combat and/or intimacy choreography: Must be minimal
Music: Shows with live music cannot be accommodated.


Judging

Scripts will be judged on the following categories:Concept
Production Elements
Dramatic Action
Characterization
Dialogue
Ability to be performed within technical requirements

Prizes
Prizes of $350 for 1st place, $250 for 2nd place and $150 for 3rd place will be awarded. Winning scripts will also be offered an opportunity to have their script workshopped before going to production.

Notification of Outcome
Finalists will be notified in mid-November 2024, and final winners will be selected by the end of 2024. All playwrights will be notified of their final status by the end of 2024. LTA is proud to offer feedback to authors who request it. Feedback will be provided to all authors who request it by the end of January 2025.

Questions?
If you have any questions about the submission process, please email oneactslta@gmail.com.

Rover Dramawerks 10-Minute Comedy Contest

Website

Deadline: until 250 plays have been received

Rover Dramawerks announces the return of our annual 10-Minute Comedy Contest! We are seeking 10-minute comedies or farces to be a part of our 24th Season.

• Submissions will be accepted starting September 25 until 250 plays have been received.
• Only the first 250 10-minute plays will be accepted.
• Comedies only! No musicals. No dramas. No one-person plays.
• Plays may have been produced previously but not in the DFW Metroplex.
• Plays may not be published.
• Playwrights may submit only one 10-minute play. Additional plays submitted by a single person will result in disqualification.
• A cast list and brief synopsis must be included.
• Only PDF files will be accepted. Other formats will not be read.
• Name and contact info must not appear anywhere on the script (i.e. this is a blind submission process). 
• Submissions will ONLY be accepted using the form provided: Google Form
• There is no fee.
• Please do not submit a play you have sent to us in the past!

Up to ten plays will be chosen to be a part of Rover’s 10-Minute Play Festival, April 11-20, 2024, with all winners receiving a $100 prize. The audience will also vote on the “Best of the Fest,” and that overall winner will receive an additional $100.

Rover Dramawerks performs in a black box theatre set in a thrust that seats about 100. Please take this into consideration when presenting your work to us. We strongly recommend that you check out our website at https://www.roverdramawerks.com/ to see the types of plays we generally produce.

Please note: The judges reserve the right not to award prizes or productions if they feel the caliber of plays received does not warrant a winner.

Tiger's Heart Players 2nd Annual Literary Contest of Short Plays

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TIGER’S HEART PLAYERS has reached its Cap for Submissions to its 2nd Annual Literary Competition.

Thank you to all who have submitted. We look forward to reading your work!

Best to All!

THP

Deadline: November 1, 2023

Or when 150 submissions are accepted

TIGER’S HEART PLAYERS, an International Theatre Company presenting works both online and recently Live! is holding its 2nd Annual Literary Contest of Short Plays.

This year we’re seeking 10-minute plays only—so no work should exceed 10 pages, excluding title & character pages. The title page must include the playwright’s name and email address. All pages must be numbered. No musicals. Children’s plays are not preferred, but may win us over.

Please use standard DG format:

https://www.dramatistsguild.com/sites/default/files/2019-12/modernformat-New.pdf

Other formats (ie: character’s name at left margin to save a line will not be read, as will not others without page numbers, playwright’s name, etc.)

One play per playwright only! Please put Literary Competition in the subject Line.

• $100 First Prize
• $50 Second Prize
• $25 Third Prize
• 1 or 2 Honorable Mentions

We reserve the right to not select a winner(s).

We will post the Cap at www.NYCPlaywrights.com when reached & on our Facebook Page @ Tiger’s Heart Players. https://www.facebook.com/TigersHeartPlayers

Yale Drama Series 2024 Competition – Call for Submissions

Website

Deadline: August 15, 2023

The Yale Drama Series is seeking submissions for its 2024 playwriting competition. The winning play will be selected by the series’ current judge, Jeremy O. Harris. The winner of this annual competition will be awarded the David Charles Horn Prize of $10,000, publication of their manuscript by Yale University Press, and a celebratory event. The prize and publication are contingent on the playwright’s agreeing to the terms of the publishing agreement. There is no entry fee.

GUIDELINES:

1. This contest is restricted to plays written in the English language. Worldwide submissions are accepted.
2. Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays, with a minimum of 65 pages.
3. Plays with less than 65 pages will not be considered. Translations, musicals, and children’s play are not accepted.
4. The Yale Drama Series is intended to support emerging playwrights. Playwrights may win the competition only once.
5. Playwrights may submit only one manuscript per year. Only manuscripts authored by one playwright are eligible.
6. Plays that have been professionally produced or published are not eligible. Plays that have had a workshop, reading, or non-professional production or that have been published as an actor’s edition will be considered.
7. Plays may not be under option, commissioned, or scheduled for professional production or publication at the time of submission.
8. Plays must be typed/word-processed, page-numbered.
9. The Yale Drama Series reserves the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.
10. The Yale Drama Series reserves the right of the judge to not choose a winner for any given year of the competition and reserves the right to determine the ineligibility of a winner, in keeping with the spirit of the competition, and based upon the accomplishments of the author.

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS:

The Yale Drama Series Competition strongly urges electronic submission. By electronically submitting
your script, you will receive immediate confirmation of your successful submission and the ability to check the status of your entry.

Electronic submissions for the 2024 competition must be submitted no earlier than June 1, 2023 and no later than August 15, 2023. The submission window closes at midnight EST.

If you are submitting your play electronically, please omit your name and contact information from your manuscript and submission file name. The manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play’s title, a 2-3 sentence keynote description of the play, a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes. Please enter the title of your play, your name and contact information (including address, phone number, and email address), and a brief biography where indicated in the electronic submission form. If you would like to submit an electronic copy of your manuscript please go to:
https://yup.submittable.com/submit

HARDCOPY SUBMISSIONS:

The Yale Drama Series Competition strongly urges applicants to submit their scripts electronically, but if that is impossible, they will accept hardcopies.

Submissions for the 2024 competition must be postmarked no earlier than June 1, 2023 and no later
than August 15, 2023. If you are submitting a hard copy of your play, the manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play’s title and your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address (if you have one), and page count; and, a second title page that lists the title of the play only, a 2-3 sentence keynote description of the play, a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes. Please include a brief biography at the end of the manuscript, on a separate page.

Do not bind or staple the manuscript.

Do not send the only copy of your work. Manuscripts cannot be returned after the competition. If you wish receipt of your manuscript to be acknowledged, please include an email address on the title page or a stamped, self-addressed postcard.

Send the manuscript to Yale Drama Series, P.O. Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040.

CONTACT:

For more information regarding the Yale Drama Series please write to:

Yale Drama Series
P.O. Box 209040
New Haven, CT
06520-9040

Or email yaledramaseries@yale.edu

Go Try Write Play ~ June 2023

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Deadline: June 30, 2023

SUBMISSION FORM

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!

The prompt for the month of June 2023 is:

A 3 prop prompt. Write a ten page maximum scene that uses a leaf blower, a Ken doll, and a can of Spam. Whatever scene you create, you must use all three props, and each prop must be essential to the action/story of the scene.

Best of luck!