Open: Journal of Arts & Letters seeks drama submisisons

Website

Deadline: December 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

 Submissions must be made in PDF file format only.

Open: Journal of Arts & Letters will consider fee-free submissions of drama whose effects can be experienced either on the page or in production.

Submit a file with up to 5000 lines, including title, byline, dramatis personae, and stage direction.

O:JA&L will consider several formatting options for drama: 1) conventions of formatting published by Gordon State College, 2) suggestions for formatting published by The Dramatists Guild, or 3) play formats in specialized software programs for writers like Final Draft or Movie Magic. Submissions which deviate by degrees of magnitude from these conventions of form will be declined.

Submitters should include a cover letter. This cover letter should contain, in the manner of a screenplay, a HEADER for the work, a LOGLINE of up to 30 words, and a SYNOPSIS of the work (without spoilers) of up to 150 words. This cover letter should also include a third-person professional biography of the playwright in 100 words, more or less.

OTHER THAN YOUR NAME, DO NOT INCLUDE PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THE SUBMITTED PDF. IT IS THIS PDF THAT WILL BE LINKED TO THE PUBLISHED POST.

Open: Journal of Arts & Letters will only consider plays that have never before been produced or published. Submissions must be made in PDF file format only.

Italian-American Playwright Series 2026-2027

Website

Deadline: September 12, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

Organizers: Kairos Italy Theater, Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo’ at NYU and the John Calandra Italian American Institute

Opportunity: Selected plays will be given a public reading at Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo’ at NYU or at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute.

We are seeking submissions from Italian American playwrights for unproduced, contemporary plays never staged before (Readings and workshops are fine). This initiative aims to spotlight authentic Italian American voices and stories that reflect the diverse experiences, heritage, and cultural intersections of the Italian American community.

Each playwright could only submit ONE play.

• EligibilityThe playwright must self-identify as Italian American.
• Plays must not have been professionally produced. (Readings and workshops are fine)
• Preference will be given to works that explore Italian American identity, history, family, or culture.
• Plays 40 to 75 minutes long (mid and full length)
• We are NOT accepting 10 minutes plays

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

In the form you will submit the following:

Full script in anonymous form (no name or address) and in PDF format;
A short play synopsis (max 250 words);
A brief playwright bio (max 150 words), including any personal connection to Italian American heritage;
A statement (max 200 words) on how your play speaks to Italian American themes and on your connection to Italian-American identity.

Timeline

Submission window opens: August 3rd
Submission window closes: September 12th
Notification of selection(s): November 10th
Readings dates: TBA

If you have any question, please send an email to info@kitheater.org

Eclectic Full Contact Theater Company 6th Annual Patchwork Play Festival - A One-Act New Play Festival

Website

Deadline: October 31, 2026

Email submissions to: Patchworkplayfest@gmail.com

To be presented at The Edge Theater, 5451 N Broadway, Chicago, IL.
Feb. 26, 2027 - March 7, 2027

We are currently accepting submissions of New One-Act Plays that embody this years theme of: Alienation

Nine finalists will have their play produced in our festival.

A $250 Award will be presented for best production as adjudicated by a panel of Chicago Theater professionals.

​A $250 Audience Award will also be presented to the festival favorite as determined by our audiences.

Submission Requirements:​

• Play must be previously unproduced. (Staged Readings are fine)
• Play length not to exceed 30 minutes.
• Play must reflect the yearly theme. This years theme is: Alienation
• Play must be received by October 31, 2026
• Playwrights cannot submit more than 2 scripts per year for Patchwork. If more than 2 scripts are submitted by the same playwright, we’ll pick 2 at random. Only one play per playwright may be featured per Patchwork Festival per season.
• Scripts cannot contain copyrighted music unless the playwright owns the music’s copyright, or has written permission from the music’s copyright owner.
• We are not accepting musicals at this time.

10th Annual New Play Lab 2027 at the annual William Inge Theatre Festival

Website

Deadline: After they receive the first 100 submissions

Application Guidelines

• All scripts must be submitted in PDF format and emailed to submissions@ingecenter.org.
• Give your script file the name 2027 + Title (for instance, 2027 Bus Stop).
• Limit script length to a 30 minute read-time – not page count. (Submissions longer than 30 minutes will be disqualified).
• Character list must include character description as well as any descriptions relevant for casting.
• Applicants must enter a short synopsis of their play as it might appear in the Play Lab program. (Maximum 75 words. Please include any content warnings.)
• Applicants must send a brief bio with their submissions.

The New Play Lab at the annual William Inge Theatre Festival is a partnership between the Kansas Arts Commission of the Kansas Department of Commerce and the William Inge Center for the Arts at Independence Community College, Kansas

The 10th Annual New Play Lab seeks to connect national established and emerging playwrights to participate at the 44th William Inge Theatre Festival, April 29-May 1, 2027. Each year, Playwrights are connected with professional playwrights, directors, dramaturgs and actors.

Selected New Play Lab playwrights receive:A professional staged reading of their play before an audience on the main stage of the William Inge Theatre
Feedback on their play facilitated by national theatre professionals.
Additional playwriting classes and seminars exclusive to New Play Lab participants, including a masterclass with William Inge Theater Festival guest playwrights.
Networking opportunities to meet with theater professionals from across the country.
Entry to all festival events, including two meal events.
Meal vouchers to enjoy local restaurants in William Inge’s Hometown of Independence, Kansas.

Applications Period

Those chosen will be notified in January 2027. Note: the receipt of applications will be limited to the first 100 to apply. Only the first 100 applications will be reviewed. Therefore, applicants are urged to submit early, as the number of applicants may reach its limit quickly.

The submitted plays will be reviewed by a panel of national theatre professionals.

Playwrights may submit either a 10-minute play or one-act play, no more than 30 minutes read-time. Plays that are longer than 30 minutes will be disqualified.

Plays should require no more than 6 actors. The play may be designed to have actors play multiple roles. If that is the case, doubling must be indicated in the character list.
Character list must include character breakdown (age, race and gender identity for the purpose of casting).
Playwrights may only submit one play per cycle.

Attend

Playwrights are required to attend the Festival. If you cannot attend, you are ineligible to apply.

Each playwright is required to attend the New Play Lab Masterclass and Workshops taught by professional playwrights during the Inge Festival.

Each playwright is required to attend the reading of their play during the Play Lab. More details will be sent out to those accepted.

Travel, transportation, and lodgingFor pre-planning purposes, selected playwrights should at least plan to attend Wednesday evening April 28, 2027, through Sunday morning May 2, 2027.

Each playwright is responsible for their own travel, transportation, and lodging needs.

Local lodging information will be shared with those accepted. (Complementary transportation to and from the Tulsa Airport is available upon prior arrangement.)

Conference Fees

There are no fees for the application process. Selected Playwrights will be responsible for their travel and lodging.

Benefits

Professional Public Reading: Playwrights will receive a professional public reading of their play, as well as feedback from national theatre artists.

Opportunities to Network: Each year the New Play Lab creates a new cohort of playwrights, in addition to opportunities to network with our professional Guest Artists
Exclusive Seminars and Masterclass: The New Play Lab Playwrights receive at least two masterclasses exclusive to New Play Lab playwrights.

Festival Celebration: New Play Lab Playwrights will have full access to three days of all public and private Festival events, including the other play lab readings, productions, social events, workshops, panels, meals and much more.

If you have any questions, feel free to email ahovell@indycc.edu.

46 Minutes Collective Mixed Bag show

Website

Deadline: September 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT

Brooklyn NYC

SUBMISSION FORM

Mixed Bag is a variety show for first drafts. We provide artists working in a variety of mediums with a low-tech space and audiences to further develop their works. We hope this will be an opportunity to learn about your piece and discover the next steps in your process. 

What we are looking for: 

In-development work that has not yet premiered. One or two developmental readings or showings is okay, but we are looking for work in the earlier stages of development. 

Works in any medium: performance art, dance, theater, film, music, poetry, multi-media, interactive art, magic, mime, juggling, etc. (these can be excerpts of longer works).

Artists who are looking to investigate or discover something about their work.

Cast: Up to 10 performers

Length: Up to 15 minutes

We Can Offer:

A low-tech performance space at Brick Aux to share your work - 628 Metropolitan Ave Brooklyn

One, 20-minute spacing rehearsal/tech the hour before the show.

A Stage Manager to assist with the run of show.

Photos and video of your piece.

An audience of fellow artists and creatives to share in your developmental process with the option for feedback from the audience if that is helpful for your process.

Marketing through the 46 Minutes Instagram and mailing list. If selected, we will ask for additional marketing materials from you/your team.

Brick Aux space capabilities (basic sound system, clip lights, projector, tables and chairs) (learn more here).

A $100 stipend for your work and time.

What You Bring:

Collaborators and creative team.

Any desired props, costumes, lights, design elements, etc. beyond what exists in the Brick Aux space.

An understanding of what you need to present your own work at whatever stage it's at in your process.

An openness to the liminal space that is in-process work and a desire to discover what can be learned when presenting a rough draft.

Please Note: The artist is responsible for all rehearsal process needs. We are unable to provide any rehearsal space or financial assistance at this time. This is designed to be an in-process showing, so we encourage you to come as you are with whatever you have created at this point in time. 

Each artist may only submit one piece per Mixed Bag showing.

If you have any questions please reach out to us at 46mincollective@gmail.com 

We at The 46 Minutes Collective are committed to making our programming accessible to all who wish to participate, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 46mincollective@gmail.com with any ways we can support you.

The 29th Magazine seeks short plays for February 2027 issue

Website

Deadline: October 1, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

We're drawn to writers and artists who came up on their own — no formal training, no mentors greasing the wheels, no built-in network. We'll never ask where you studied, or if you did.

We prioritize women, the queer community, the mentally ill, the chronically ill, and the neurodivergent. If you belong to any of these groups, we want to hear from you first.

Submission Guidelines

• Plays: Short plays, one act, intended to be read in a single sitting (Up to 20 pages - soft limit).
• Formatting: 12 pt Times New Roman or Courier. Single-spaced dialogue, with a line break between speeches. Character names in caps above their lines; stage directions in parentheses or italics. PDF/doc/docx formats.
• Please include your name, the piece's title, and page count on the first page.

Note: We don't store your personal data beyond your submission. We will only use your email to contact you about the status of your submission.

Troy Foundry Theatre 2026 Half-Baked Festival of Emerging Work: Becoming

Website

Deadline: August 17, 2026 at 5PM

Please submit as many of the materials listed below possible in a SINGLE PDF to  tftsubmissions@gmail.com. 

Your PDF should include:

1. Contact Information

• Name
• Email
• Phone number
• Location (city/state or region)

2. Artist Statement
Brief introduction to your artistic practice and creative mission

3. Project Information

• Project description: What is your piece? What world does it inhabit?
• Themes, questions, or artistic investigations driving the work
• Current stage of development
• Working title
• Any Script excerpts, images, video, audio, or other supporting materials (if available)
• Brief synopsis
• Number of performers
• Current runtime
• Creative team roles and needs (casting, directing, collaborators, etc.)
• Technical requirements beyond basic festival lighting and sound capabilities

4. Development History

Troy Foundry Theatre, a nonprofit theatre based in Troy, New York, is seeking submissions for the 2026 Half-Baked Festival of Emerging Work—a celebration of bold, unfinished, and in-development performance projects.

Now in its fourth year, The TFT Half-Baked Festival of Emerging Work celebrates the unfinished, the audacious, and the revolutionary in theatre-making. We believe some of the most exciting artistic discoveries happen during development—when work is still breathing, evolving, and finding its voice. Half-Baked exists to support projects that are searching, questioning, transforming, and taking creative risks. If your work is strange, ambitious, unsettling, genre-defying, impossible to categorize, or beautifully unfinished, we want to see it.

For this year's festival, we are particularly interested in:

Projects inspired directly or indirectly by genres and themes like:
Horror, body horror, cosmic terror, folk horror, gothic horror, romantic horror, psychological thriller, dystopia, speculative fiction, monsters, hauntings, transformation, sex and death, the uncanny, apocalypse, grief, obsession, desire, and the grotesque.

Or creators and writers like:
Angela Carter, Ari Aster, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Carmen Maria Machado, Caryl Churchill, Curry Barker, David Cronenberg, Guillermo del Toro, Han Kang, Helen Oyeyemi, H.P. Lovecraft, Jackie Sibblies Drury, Jane Schoenbrun, Jennifer Kent, Jeremy O. Harris, Jordan Peele, Julia Ducournau, Karyn Kusama, Kelly Link, Margaret Atwood, Mariana Enríquez, María Irene Fornés, Mary Shelley, Nia DaCosta, N.K. Jemisin, Octavia Butler, Osgood Perkins, Sarah Kane, Shirley Jackson, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Suzan-Lori Parks, Tananarive Due, Toni Morrison, Young Jean Lee, and Quiara Alegría Hudes.

We welcome and accept:
Projects that engage with these influences literally, loosely, or in spirit. We are interested in work that explores fear, transformation, power, desire, the body, the supernatural, memory, myth, and the strange possibilities of being human. Projects must be in development and may not have received a full professional production. Selected artists will work with the festival team to determine a performance schedule; projects will not perform every day of the festival.

In the form of:

• New plays and devised works-in-progress that challenge theatrical form
• Lecture-performances and research-based artistic investigations
• Experimental, interdisciplinary, and short-form performance projects
• Provocations, works-in-process, and other emerging theatrical experiments
• Other forms not dreamed up or imaged yet

UMBRELLAS FOR FISH seeks one-act plays, monologues and dramatic scenes for the September issue

Website

Deadline: August 25, 2026

We are now accepting submissions for our September 2026 Issue.
Website: https://ufjournal.wixsite.com/umbrellas-for-fish/submissions

Email: ufjournal@aol.com

Umbrellas for Fish is an international literary journal devoted exclusively to absurd and existential drama. We publish work that wrestles with the irrational, the unexplainable, and the darkly comic—plays, monologues, and dramatic scenes that invite audiences to sit with uncertainty rather than resolve it neatly.

We believe theatre is a space where logic can be bent, time can fold back on itself, and a fish might, against all reason, carry an umbrella. We welcome voices from around the world and across all career stages, from debut playwrights to established dramatists.

We seek dramatic work that is bold, strange, and alive—pieces that take risks with form, voice, and theatrical logic.

We are particularly interested in work featuring:

• Absurdity, existential tension, or cosmic indifference
• Innovative dramatic structures and theatrical experimentation
• Strong, stageable writing and memorable dialogue
• Meaningful ambiguity rather than simple confusion
• Themes exploring meaning, identity, freedom, mortality, and the human condition

We are not seeking conventional realism without a twist, shock value without purpose, or work that resolves its contradictions too neatly.
Accepted Categories

• Absurd Plays
• Existential Drama

• Experimental Theatre
• Playwriting Essays

Length:

• One-Act Plays (up to 10 pages)
• Flash Drama (up to 2 pages)
• Monologues (up to 2 pages)

• Dramatic Scenes (up to 10 pages)
. Playwriting Essays (up to 5 pages)

Submission Guidelines

• Submit manuscripts in DOC or DOCX format only
• Use a readable 12-point font
• Number all pages
• Include a title page with the title and author's name
• Include a third-person author bio (50–100 words) at the end of the manuscript
• Scripts should follow standard dramatic formatting
• Simultaneous submissions are welcome; please notify us if accepted elsewhere

Prepare your manuscript according to the guidelines above.

• Include a 50–100 word third-person bio.
• In the body of your email, include:Your name
• Title of the work
• Genre category
• A brief 1–3 sentence description of the piece
• Attach your manuscript as a DOC or DOCX file.
• Name your file: TITLE_LASTNAME.docx
• Send your submission to ufjournal@aol.com

Subject Line Format:
SUBMISSION — [Title] — [Genre]
Key Dates

Submissions Open: Now Open
Submission Deadline: August 25, 2026
Response Time: 4–6 Weeks

Issue Publication: September 2026

Fee:
There is no reading, submission or publication fee.


Rights
If a work is selected for publication, the playwright retains all intellectual property, copyright, and performance rights to the work. By accepting publication in Umbrellas for Fish, the author grants the journal non-exclusive permission to publish the work as part of the September 2026 issue. All rights revert to the author upon publication, and the author remains free to reproduce, perform, or republish the work elsewhere, provided that first publication in Umbrellas for Fish is acknowledged where appropriate.

Payment

Umbrellas for Fish is a non-paying market. As an independent journal operating without grants, institutional funding, or regular donations, we are currently unable to offer royalties, honoraria, or other forms of monetary compensation to contributors.

Authors whose work is selected for publication will receive publication credit and worldwide exposure through the journal.Editorial Vision

Umbrellas for Fish takes its name from the absurdist spirit that animates the work we publish: the belief that theatre can illuminate issue. the mysteries of existence through contradiction, imagination, humor, and uncertainty.

We welcome playwrights from all countries, backgrounds, and career stages and are especially interested in amplifying voices that have been underrepresented in the dramatic canon.

We look forward to reading your work.

Warm regards,

Editorial Team
Umbrellas for Fish: An International Journal of Absurd & Existential Drama
Email: ufjournal@aol.com

THE LARKING HOUSE Playwright's Intensive 2026: Open Submissions

Website

Deadline: August 15, 2026

or after 300 submissions have been received

Anaheim, CA

THEY HAVE REACHED THEIR 300 SUBMISSION LIMIT - DO NOT SEND

Do you have a play that’s ready to get off the page and into the rehearsal room? The Larking House is now accepting new, unproduced, or in-process plays for the 2026 installment of our Playwright’s Intensive, a writer-driven program to jumpstart your play and lead the shape of its development.

This season, we are seeking 4 new scripts by local and remote playwrights to be workshopped and presented over a weeklong program. We’re seeking one-act and full length plays that have yet to be fully produced. Each play will be cast and directed over a series of playwright-oriented workshop rehearsals, culminating in a staged reading and response session from invited respondents. The intensives will take place between October 18th and November 14th, with one playwright’s work explored and developed each week. This year we will have two remote sessions, and two in-person readings for California-local playwrights in the Orange County area.

Submission Guidelines:

• Unproduced or lightly-produced plays.
• One-acts or full length plays between 30~120 pages. (Unfortunately, no musicals.)
• Casts of at least 2 to around 10 performers.
• One play per submission, and one submission per playwright (or per writing team).
• Please send your script in .PDF format only.
• Include on your first page: title, author’s name(s), submission email, and relevant contact info.

The Playwrights Intensive is an unpaid workshop opportunity free of charge, supported by volunteer artists and facilitators. We are an ensemble of emerging and evolving theater artists, forming a home for collaborative development in Anaheim, CA.

Torch Literary Arts seeks one-act plays by Black Women

Website

Deadline: rolling basis every Friday

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

Torch Literary Arts welcomes submissions of original creative work by Black women writers. We are interested in work that challenges and disrupts preconceived notions of what contemporary writing by Black women should be. Your stories and poems are valuable and necessary. Write freely and submit work you are excited to share with the world.

Manuscript GuidelinesInclude a one (1) page cover letter noting the title(s) of the work(s) submitted and a brief bio. The cover letter page does not contribute to the overall page count.Note: Submissions without a cover letter may not be read.

Upload your text submission as a Word (DOC, DOCX) or portable document format (PDF).
Typed, double-spaced (poetry may be single-spaced) pages.
Numbered pages.
Margins should be set at no less than 1” and no greater than 1.5”.

Drama/Screenwriting: submit one act or a collection of short scenes no longer than fifteen (15) pages. Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained. Indicate if a performance video or dramatic audio reading will be available with the text submission if selected.

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest

Website

Deadline: December 31, 2026

The Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest invites playwrights to submit original works inspired by, connected to, or thematically centered on the history, architecture, culture, or personal stories associated with the Northern Michigan Asylum (also known as the Traverse City State Hospital). Works may be dramatic, comedic, historical, speculative, or musical in style, but all submissions must honor or explore the site in a meaningful way.

Contest is hosted by Old Town Playhouse (OTP), a community theater serving Traverse City, Michigan, and The Minervini Group LLC (TMG), redevelopers of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, the original site of the Northern Michigan Asylum.

The contest opens January 19, 2026, and all submissions must be received by December 31, 2026.

Eligibility

• Open to writers of all experience levels.
• Writers must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission.
• Co-authored works are permitted.
• Submissions must be written in English.

Content Requirements

Subject Matter: The play must contain significant themes, settings, characters, or plot elements directly related to the Northern Michigan Asylum/Traverse City State Hospital.

Allowed Formats:

o One-act plays
o Two-act plays
o Musicals

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest — Submission Guidelines 

Length Guidelines:

o One-act: 20–60 minutes
o Two-act: 60–150 minutes
o Musicals: 45–180 minutes

• Originality: Only original, unpublished, and unproduced works are eligible.

Prohibition on AI-Generated Content

To preserve artistic integrity and honor the spirit of the competition:

• No portion of the script may be generated by artificial intelligence tools (including ChatGPT, other LLMs, AI story generators, or automated scriptwriting tools).

• Writers may not use AI to draft, plot, or produce dialogue or lyrics.

• AI-assisted proofreading (e.g., spelling/grammar checks) is permitted, but no AI content generation may be used at any stage.

• Entrants will be required to attest that all creative content is human-authored.

Submission Requirements

• Format:

o PDF file only
o Standard script formatting preferred (12-point font, standard margins)
o Include a title page with:

▪ Play title
▪ Author’s name
▪ Contact email
▪ Contact phone number
▪ Whether the play is one-act, two-act, or a musical
• Page Header: Include the play title and page numbers on each page.

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest — Submission Guidelines Page 2• Synopsis: Include a 150–300 word synopsis at the beginning (separate page).

• Character Breakdown: Provide a list of characters, including vocal ranges for musicals.

• Optional: A brief (100-word) playwright biography.

Submission Process

• Submissions open January 19, 2026 at 12:00 AM EST.

• All entries must be submitted by December 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

• Submissions must be sent by email to contest@oldtownplayhouse.com either as a PDF attachment or unrestricted link to cloud storage.

• Each entrant may submit up to two plays.

Evaluation Criteria & Winning

Entries will be judged on:

• Quality of storytelling and dramatic structure

• Creative integration of Northern Michigan Asylum themes

• Originality and artistic vision

• Character development

• Stage feasibility

• Musical quality (for musicals)

One work will be chosen to be fully workshopped and produced in late 2027 or early 2028 by Old Town Playhouse. The performance will take place at Kirkbride Hall located in one of the original Northern Michigan Asylum buildings. [Note: A staged reading may be presented in lieu of a full production if material warrants such].

Judges panel will be comprised of two representatives from Old Town Playhouse, two representatives from The Minervini Group LLC and one outside representative designated by Old Town Playhouse to serve on the panel.

Winning playwright will be notified no later than February 28, 2027.

Northern Michigan Asylum Playwriting Contest — Submission Guidelines 

Rights and Permissions

• Playwrights retain all rights to their work.

• By entering the contest, playwrights grant the organizers permission to excerpt, read publicly, or stage readings for purposes of event promotion from the time the winning script is selected and announced until the closing performance of the OTP production produced in late 2027 or early 2028.

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.

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.

'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.

Mad Company Theatre New Perspectives Festival

Website

Deadline: June 30, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

To be considered for the New Perspectives Festival, playwrights must submit an original, fully-realized script that is inspired by, based on, or in response to a classic work. (Classic works may include anything within the public domain.) Submissions can be either full-length plays or one acts.

The link to the form is in our bio! The submission window for the New Perspectives Festival will run from June 12th-30th, with the festival taking place in late Summer of 2026.

Seeking Radio-Drama adaptations of Cosmic/Eldritch Horror for Halloween 2026 anthology

Website

Deadline: June 30, 2026

Scripts must be submitted via email to info@pmrp.org in either PDF, DOC, DOCX, or Google Doc format. 

The Post-Meridian Radio Players, based in Eastern Massachusetts, is seeking original scripts of Eldritch/Cosmic Horror (in the vein of Call of Cthulhu, The Thing or similar stories.) PMRP’s work pays homage to the golden age of radio, and our productions take place as staged readings before a live audience, with sound effects performed live. Since 2005, we have brought original and public domain radio plays to life in our distinctive format, which includes script-in-hand actors and live foley artists. Submissions are free, and playwrights can submit more than one.

If all you have is a paper script, please scan it into PDF. We won’t be accepting submissions via physical mail.

Scripts should be roughly 30-45 minutes in duration. 

Script must be a radio theatre adaptation of a public domain. If you don’t know whether the work you adapted is in the public domain, just ask us. We’ll research that for you. (Works first published in 1928 or earlier are definitely in the public domain in the US.)

Scripts must be in English. No musicals, please.

Scripts should be free of most blocking or other stage direction meant for a fully staged production. Our shows are performed at microphones, with the full cast and foley team visible to the audience at all times. If you’ve never adapted for radio theatre before, please don’t worry about getting the format right the first time. If selected, we’ll work closely with you to turn your script into a radio script (we’ve even adapted silent films for radio!).

Please avoid sending scripts that contain characters or music under copyright from different fictional universes/franchises. As an example, we don’t want to see mash-ups containing characters from Rocky Horror, Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc, nor published music under current copyright.

Playwrights whose work is selected for production will be paid a royalty of $15 per performance. We most often have 6 performances per run. Submissions are welcome from anywhere in the world, but you must be able to legally accept your royalty payment in US funds. You will also receive a comp ticket to see a performance, should you wish.

In addition to (non-exclusive!) performance rights, PMRP retains (again, non-exclusive!) rights to record and sell or otherwise distribute (e.g., on our podcast) recordings of the performance, but all other script rights (including ownership) remain with the author(s). Scripts may be revised as needed for the performance and PMRP retains all performance rights including director choice, casting and sound design.

Showpeople Theatre Collective’s Inaugural Theatre Festival

Website

Deadline: June 20, 2026

SUBMISSION FORM

SHOWPEOPLE THEATRE COLLECTIVE INC. is currently seeking new works by emerging artists for its first-ever theatre festival, to play in Long Island City, Queens, this coming December.

We will be selecting two plays or musicals to take part in the inaugural Showpeople Theatre Festival, performing on a weekday during the first week of December.

What Do You Get?

Two performance slots: 3 PM - 6 PM and 7 PM- 10 PM at a theatre in Long Island City, Queens

Tech rehearsal space from 9 AM - 2 PM (5 hours) the same day as your performance

40% of your ticket sales, meaning you’ll get $12 per ticket sold!

A Showpeople liaison during both your tech and your shows, who will also act as an usher

There are NO submission or performance fees

What Do You Bring?

Your show! (~120 minutes as a soft maximum run time)

Your cast

Your crew, including (as needed) a technician(s), stage manager, stagehands, musicians, etc.

Any costumes, props, or set pieces you need (there will be an additional timeslot on Monday, November 30th, 2026 when you can bring these over to the theatre to save you tech time)

Additional Things to Know

Solo shows and two-handers may be less likely to be chosen as we want to provide this opportunity to as many theatremakers as possible. Showpeople is all about big shows done simply

We may be less inclined to choose shows requiring substantial nudity or realistic looking weaponry. Any weapons used must be safe and clearly props (no sharp edges, no glass, no heavy metals, etc.)

Showpeople has a history of primarily supporting musical theatre, but straight plays will be given equal consideration

We will consider potential conflicts when deciding which slot your show gets Tuesday through Thursday, but it is ultimately up to the discretion of the Showpeople Theatre Festival coordinators

If chosen, consider your expenses before accepting admission into the festival. Showpeople Theatre Collective is not able to provide any funds for actors, crew, costumes, set, etc. (that being said, much great theatre can be done with minimal bells and whistles!)

You will have no rehearsal time in the space before your tech day of, so try to dry run your show in a similarly sized rehearsal room to make the transition as easy as possible

As mentioned above, your show’s performance will be given two three-hour time slots. The shows we’re producing in-house are all 120 minutes or less, so aim for this as a limit. This DOES NOT mean you absolutely can’t perform a longer show, but timing must be considered. For practical purposes, any show that seems like it may run too long for the time slot will be rejected

Intermissions are allowed

Plays do NOT need to be NYC or world premieres

No pieces under 60 minutes will be considered

Deadline is June 20th, and selected plays will hear by July 1st

Fairy Tale Review seeks plays for Volume 23

Website

Deadline: June 16, 2026 3AM

SUBMIT VIA SUBMITTABLE

Fairy Tale Review invites submissions for consideration by the editors for Volume 23, which will be published in Spring 2027.

We can consider up to 30 manuscript pages. 

Submissions can include a single work or multiple complete works. 

You will be asked to designate a genre when you submit. Y

ou may submit in multiple genres, but please only submit once to each genre. 

We prefer Word documents; please include page numbers. A cover sheet with titles is helpful if the document includes multiple works. If your work has special formatting needs to appear on the page as intended, please submit both a Word document and a PDF. 

We consider all styles and genres: prose fiction, verse fiction, memoir, essay, craft essay, creative scholarship, poetry, not to mention work that does not fall neatly into any category (go ahead and pick the closest genre on Submittable; we’re used to seeing unusual work). 

We would love to see some graphic novel excerpts or stories, comics, and plays.

Village Playbox's Act 1 Scene 1 One Act Festival

Website

Deadline: June 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT

2026 A1S1 Play Submission Form

Thank you for your interest in Village Playbox's Act 1 Scene 1 One Act Festival - Haddon Heights NJ.

If you have any questions, please email us at: oneacts@villageplaybox.org

Multiple submissions are welcome, but playwrights must submit each play individually. Playwrights can submit up to five (5) plays for consideration.

Village Playbox performances are held in the lower level of the First Presbyterian Church of Haddon Heights. Due to the nature of our venue, some content and language may not be permitted to be performed. If your play is selected, the review committee will reach out to address any concerns.

Each play will only have ONE performance over the course of the three-day festival. Final dates are TBD based on scheduling conflicts.

Performance Dates (tentative):
Thursday 9/17, Friday 9/18, Saturday 9/19 @ 8:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church of Haddon Heights
28 7th Ave, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035

***Each play will only perform on one of these dates***