Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest 2021

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Deadline: December 31, 2021

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.

This is an ongoing contest, with a winner selected by June 1 each year from all eligible submissions received the previous year.  All eligible plays accepted for publication will be considered contest finalists, from which the winner will be selected.  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.

We accept unsolicited manuscripts that meet the parameters defined in these guidelines. However, we prefer for you to send us a query letter if you are not submitting through one of our playwriting contests. You can also start the submission process by contacting us here.

• We will only consider manuscripts with a running time between 20 and 90 minutes.
• Submissions must be family friendly in both subject and language. NO cursing. NO explicitly adult content.
• We prefer casts that are either balanced or favoring females. The more gender neutral roles, the better.
• We favor plays and musicals with ensemble casts, where more than just a few have a chance to shine.
• Plays with elaborate set, costume or technical requirements are not appealing because of the limited resources of many of our customers. Pictures, sketches or descriptions of your vision are always helpful.
• We recommend your submissions have had at least one production or reading, hopefully staged. We feel this fundamental field test is necessary before a play can be considered for publication since plays are created for the purpose of performance.
• Manuscripts must be computer-printed in dark ink. We do not require specific formatting. However, your efforts to ensure your script is free of misspellings and typos will help the submissions editor.
• We hope that Pioneer Drama is your first choice as a publisher, and we encourage you to submit to us exclusively. However, we do accept simultaneous submissions with the understanding that you will accept the first contract you’re offered and not use the situation to seek multiple offers from which to choose. If you receive another offer, please notify us immediately so we may rescind your submission.

NOTE: If you are not already published by Pioneer Drama Service and your submission meets all other requirements including having had at least one production or staged reading, your play will automatically be entered in the Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest. 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.

Check out our list of past contest winners for examples of desirable submissions.
Submission Requirements

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

The following information must accompany your submission or query:

• 100-200 word synopsis.
• Cast list that indicates the number of female roles, the number of male roles and the number of roles that can be performed by either 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 and/or pictures.
• Proof of production or staged reading (i.e., review, program, etc.) A DVD of your performance is ideal, though not required.
• Age of intended audience.
• A self-addressed envelope of sufficient size with appropriate postage for the return of your materials. We will NOT return manuscripts or accompanying material if this is not included.
• Cover letter and/or resume.

Please send your query or manuscript and accompanying information to:

Pioneer Drama Service, Inc.
Attn: Submissions Editor
PO Box 4267
Englewood, CO 80155-4267

You may also email us your .txt, .doc or .pdf files after you contact us here.

Pegasus PlayLab 2022

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Deadline: October 15, 2021 11:59 PM

SUBMISSION FORM

Pegasus PlayLab is a new play festival at the University of Central Florida dedicated to developing new works by MFA Playwriting candidates or emerging playwrights. 

We are seeking four full-length plays, including devised works and Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) pieces, which we will rehearse for two weeks in collaboration with the playwright and subsequently present as workshop productions. There is a possibility that one play will be fully mounted into a production.

As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UCF encourages all qualified applicants to apply, including women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

To be considered, please complete this form by 11:59pm on October 15, 2021. No late submissions will be accepted. Please limit submissions to ONE play per person. If more than one play is submitted, we will only accept the first submission.

BBC Children’s Animation is looking for fresh, bold, innovative new animation ideas

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Deadline: September 1, 2021 11:59 PM

BBC Children’s Animation is looking for fresh, bold, innovative new animation ideas for a fully funded development opportunity.

You may be taking your first steps into animation, be a long-standing industry professional with something you’ve always wanted to explore or a production company or animation studio with an exciting new idea. Whatever your level of experience, They want to see your proposal with a view to developing it into an Industry Standard proof of concept with living breathing characters in a world that children will love.

Up to three ideas will receive full development funding to create two minute animated pilots which will be considered for a commission by BBC Children’s.

They’re looking for submissions from sole creators over the age of 18, collectives, animation studios, production companies, or anything in-between, where creatives would like to co-develop with the BBC rather than engage with the BBC via the usual commissioning process (where applicable).

If you’re a sole creator they can help you find a creative team to help build authentic and engaging characters and stories for Children in the UK and around the world.

The criteria for selection are wide and could include any of the following: originality, engagement for children, innovation, potential to run to multiple series, reaching an underserved section of our audience, international appeal, relatable storytelling and recognisable characters. But central to any idea must be that the stories, settings and characters represent the British culture and values.

How to submit your idea

Initial ideas must be submitted as a pdf document via the BBC Uploader on a single side of A4. Please note, they will not accept ideas via email or BBC Pitch. Read the BBC Uploader privacy notice (pdf).

In the first instance they would like to see a one-sheet for an animated series, targeting young audiences between 0-12 (0-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 or any combination of these targets). This should give them a sense of the premise, tone and world you’d like to develop. It can include both illustration and narrative but should be no longer than one side of A4.

Process and key dates

The deadline for submitting initial ideas is 11.59pm on Wednesday 1 September 2021.

All ideas will then be reviewed and shortlisted by the BBC Children’s Animation team and a panel comprising of the Director of Children’s and Education, Heads of Commissioning and Acquisitions for 0-6’s and 7-12’s and the Animation Development Executive will choose up to 20 ideas to receive funding for first stage development. .

This first stage development will comprise of creating a short series bible, a two-minute script, character designs and key background design.

They will then select up to six projects for second stage development.

The second stage will comprise creating a second two minute script, full pitch bible, character and background designs, a two minute animatic and animated test.

Up to three development projects will then be selected to go on to third stage development. This will consist of producing a two-minute broadcast quality animation pilot.

Projects will then be considered for commission by the relevant BBC Children’s Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions.

For more detailed information on how the scheme will work and your eligibility to participate please go to their website and read the Terms of Use (pdf).

Download the BBC Uploader privacy notice (pdf)

SUBMIT HERE

SPIDER® magazine for ages 6–9 seeks plays for Outside of the Box

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Deadline: August 15, 2021

SPIDER®, a literary magazine for children, features fresh and engaging literature, poems, articles, and activities for newly independent readers. Editors seek energetic, beautifully crafted submissions with strong “kid appeal” (an elusive yet recognizable quality, often tied to high-interest elements such as humor, adventure, and suspense). 

We have particular interests in stories that explore themes of identity (gender expression, ability, race and ethnicity, family structure including LGBTQAI+ and single parent homes, neighborhoods, beliefs, and traditions); global cultures and languages (current needs include South American, African, and Middle Eastern countries, island nations, and Native American nations); scientific and technological exploration and innovation; magical or interplanetary landscapes; cities and metropolitan areas; real kids doing real things; weird and sometimes gross stuff; and the creative spirit.


Outside of the Box

Deadline: August 15, 2021

At Spider (for ages 6-9), we love contemporary stories and poems, but we are excited to read more material that falls outside these popular categories. This might be plays, science fiction, or historical fiction and nonfiction. It might be simple, but inventive, activities like recipes, games, crafts, magic tricks, science experiments, or silly quizzes. It can be anything that defies categorization. We also enjoy stories or poems with accompanying hands-on activities or nonfiction components. Manuscripts must be 1000 words or fewer. Activities should be one to two pages and include reference photos.

Guidelines

Before submitting, be sure to familiarize yourself with our magazines. (Sample copies are available for viewing at the Cricket Media Store, or you can order a current issue by calling 800-821-0115.) Issues are also available at many local libraries.

Fiction Stories and Plays

We seek fiction of all kinds: fantasy, folk or fairytale, sci-fi, historical, humorous, or realistic. Whether the setting is long-ago or contemporary, or the protagonist is a shy newcomer, clever trickster, class clown, fantasy creature, or superhero, characters and the worlds they inhabit should be complex and believable. Plays should have 2–6 characters so that a child could feasibly perform the play at home with family or friends.

Length: 300–1000 words

A+ Playwriting Contest for Teachers

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Deadline: June 30, 2021

Fifty 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 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 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. The contest winner, selected from contest finalists and announced September 30, 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.

Powerstories Theatre Inaugural Voices of Youth Festival seeks original full-length plays and short works

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Deadline: May 15, 2021

A $10 fee applies and we offer scholarships to waive the fee (select "need a scholarship" in the submission form.

Plays in-theatre open to all Florida children and teens ages 8-18, virtual showcase shorter works open to all 

Complete registration form on https://powerstories.com/voices-of-youth-theatre-festival and submit play to Fran@powerstories.com as PDF

A $10 fee applies and we offer scholarships to waive the fee

We are seeking original full-length plays for in-theatre and we seeking shorter original works of scenes, monologues, spoken word, song, dance with original music for a virtual showcase

The length of plays wanted is 45-90 minutes
The length of shorter works is 5-7 minutes

Artist will have option of full production or staged reading


Playwright may submit more than one play, but new fee applies

Play cannot be produced three months before or after festival

Submitters will be notified about their submission on May 30 by email, on our website, and on Facebook

Playwright will self-produce; however, if director is needed, we will help you find one

On July 19 – August 1, we will highlight ten plays that feature young performers. For play submission, we are open to all subjects, and special consideration is given to plays that present diverse casting. If you have a concept in mind but aren’t comfortable directing your work, do not let that hold you back from submitting. We will find a director for you.

Plays should have had no professional production in the Tampa Bay area before submission or, if accepted, have professional production scheduled within three months of debut with the Voices of Youth Theatre Festival. (If the play has had a workshop production, please include this information in your application.)

For our virtual showcase of shorter performance pieces (written for monologues, scenes, and spoken word artists) we are open to all subjects. For singers and dancers, music must be original and family-friendly. If you don’t fall into any of these categories, but still have a piece that you want to present, please submit your registration under “Other.” We’re excited to see something we haven’t thought of before or that is brand new to the performing arts.

Now, more than ever, we know it is our responsibility to give young artists a voice, a safe and creative outlet for self-expression. We look forward to your submission.

FOR ARTISTS: A CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS BY MAY 15, 2021

Powerstories Theatre is seeking submissions for the Inaugural Voices of Youth Theatre Festival scheduled for July 16 to August 1, 2021. Submissions are due by May 15, 2021. All submissions will be reviewed by an artistic committee, and selections will be announced by May 30, 2021 or sooner. The overall quality and development of the submission will be the main criteria for selection. Registration is $10.00. However, if a scholarship is needed for the entry fee, please don’t hesitate to ask. If accepted into the festival, parent, guardian, or educator must provide approval, if under 18 years of age. Teachers may collect submissions and submit on behalf of their students.

Each young playwright will be responsible for casting, directing, mounting the show in the theatre, and if applicable for pre-recorded submissions, recording the show via Zoom or other means, and editing for submission to the festival. If an artist would appreciate assistance from a local director, Powerstories will match the artists with an experienced director.

For in-theatre productions, Powerstories Theatre will provide our stage for final performances, rehearsal time, technical assistance, marketing, box office assistance, high-quality live-streaming, and a copy of the live stream video. However, each playwright is responsible for all design elements, supplies and construction for any minimal and necessary set pieces, props, costumes, and miscellaneous items for their production.

Examples of submissions include the following:
Original Play Submissions:

• Your own original play presented as either a full production with a minimal set or a staged reading performed in theatre with or without a small socially-distanced audience or a pre-recorded performance using digital platform provided by Powerstories
• For a play, the ideal length is 45 to 90 minutes to allow for one full evening or matinee. Other lengths will be considered. For a play, six performers maximum on stage, if selecting to use the theatre. No limit on the number of characters if producing digitally. Playwrights must be willing to have in-theatre performance live-streamed.
• Each play production will receive one matinee or evening to present.

Shorter Original Work Submissions:

Your own original work will be performed live in our virtual festival showcase. The maximum length of the performance is 5-7 minutes and one minimum length for the following:

• Original Scene – Performed live virtually in talent showcase using digital platform provided by Powerstories
• Original Monologue – Performed live virtually in talent showcase using digital platform provided by Powerstories
• Original Spoken Word – Performed live virtually in talent showcase using digital platform provided by Powerstories
• Original Song – Performed live virtually in talent showcase using digital platform provided by Powerstories
• Original Dance – Created with original music, performed live virtually in talent showcase using digital platform provided by Powerstories
• Other Original Works – Performed live virtually in talent showcase using digital platform provided by Powerstories

PLAY SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• New plays must be original.
• Unless student is reimagining the concept to make his own idea, plays that copy the exact plotline of existing movies, TV series, and books will not be considered.
• The play should tell a story using dialogue to show opening, action, and resolution. Play needs beginning, middle, and recognizable end.
• The play should be set for a black box theatre with minimal set and limited set changes, if any
• Cover sheet of play should have title, student’s name, parent/guardian’s telephone number and parent/guardian’s e-mail. The student’s information should not appear anywhere else in the script.
• First page should provide name of characters and brief description of personality.
• Please do not list the character’s physical looks and attributes. Actors portraying characters may not be able to match the identities.
• Plays must be typed, pages numbered, and double-spaced.
• Complete the registration form, including the fee or scholarship request, include the play or performance piece saved as a PDF file, and mail to fran@powerstories.com.

SHORTER WORK FESTIVAL REQUIREMENTS
Spoken word, scenes or monologue must be original.
Submissions must be typed, pages numbered, and double-spaced.
With completion of registration form and submission of fee or scholarship request, spoken word or monologue, should be saved as PDF file and/or video clip. Send entire script in PDF and/or video clip to Fran@powerstories.com.

Cover sheet of spoken word, scene, or monologue piece should have title, student’s name, parent/guardian’s telephone number and parent/guardian’s e-mail. The student’s information should not appear anywhere else in the submission.
Complete the registration form, including the fee or scholarship request, include the play or performance piece saved as a PDF file, and mail to fran@powerstories.com.
Song, dance, and other talent entries should be saved as video clips. Send video clip submissions to Fran@powerstories.com along with registration form, registration fee or scholarship request as submissions above.

ABOUT THE THEATRE
The theatre is a black box theatre with a 26 x 13 acting stage. We will provide artists with stage lighting, sound, projection options, and a list of stock set pieces that are available in our theatre. If you are bringing set pieces and props, they must fit in a small van for ease of moving in and out of the theatre. If selected, artists will receive more detailed technical information.

Aurand Harris Memorial Playwriting Award 2021

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Deadline: May 1, 2021

A CONTEST FOR NEW FULL-LENGTH PLAYS for YOUNG AUDIENCES ENTRY DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2021 WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT: OCTOBER 2021

This award was created in 1997 to honor the late Aurand Harris (1915-1996) for his lifetime dedication to all aspects of professional theatre for young audiences.

A panel of judges named by the NETC Executive Board will administer this award. A staged reading of the prize-winning scripts will be held along with the Annual Excellence in Theatre Awards ceremony.

RULES OF ENTRY

• The contest is open to all playwrights and is for new full-length plays for young audiences. No musicals nor plays targeted at adult audiences
• All plays will be submitted online to harris-award@netconline.org
• Plays submitted to the contest must not have been
• previously published
• submitted to NETC’s Gassner Playwriting Contest
• previously produced by a professional or Equity company.
• Plays submitted which have had workshop productions or staged readings are eligible and encouraged.
• Plays submitted to this contest may have been submitted to another playwriting contest, and may have previously won a prize or an award in another contest. However, such plays must not have been published or professionally produced and must not be under option for publication or professional production.
• Playwrights may submit only one play to the contest in one year.

The play must be submitted, along with:

• a statement that the play will not have been published or professionally produced as of May 1, 2021, and that it is not under option for publication or professional production and will not be under such option as of May 1, 2021.
• a list of the play’s workshop and non-professional productions, if any, and awards received, if any.
• ALL manuscripts and enclosures must be emailed to: harris-award@netconline.org
• Only manuscripts submitted electronically will be considered.
• Plays that do not meet the above requirements will not be considered.

Drama Notebook: Submission Guidelines for 2021

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Thank you for your interest in submitting a play to Drama Notebook.

Due to a huge influx of plays during the past two years, we are currently only accepting the following types of work:

• Plays based on popular works in the public domain, such as: Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, The Jungle Book, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Anne of Green Gables, The Scarlet Letter, The Sword in the Stone, The Velveteen Rabbit, Swiss Family Robinson, etc. 
• Works based on authors in the public domain such as: Beatrix Potter, Agatha Christie, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jane Austen, etc.. 
• Plays for kids in Spanish or French. 
• Plays of a timely or educational nature, such as: Christmas plays, Chinese New Year play, Valentine’s Day play detailing the origins of Cupid, plays that explain nature, geography or science, etc.

Plays for very young children or early readers.

If you have any questions as to whether your work will fit our guidelines, feel free to reach out to us on our contact page.

~INFORMATION FOR SUBMISSIONS~

Have you written plays for kids and teens and simply want to have them used and performed?

Drama Notebook is accepting play script submissions from playwrights, teachers, and actors who have written scripts or scenes for children and teens. We are building a huge library of royalty-free, high-quality scripts for use in educational settings.

Most drama teachers pay for materials out-of-pocket, and cannot afford to pay royalties, per-script fees, video fees, etc. By sharing your work, you will be benefiting thousands of educators in over 100 countries.

We can either license your script for a small fee, or purchase the copyright for a slightly larger amount. This is not life-changing $ to be sure, but you will experience the joy of knowing that your work is being performed by students all over the world.

When we publish your script, we include your bio, a link to your website (if applicable), and a way for teachers to contact you when their students perform your play!

Ready to submit your plays?

1. Download more detailed information below.
2. See an example of a formatted script.
3. Download our handy script template (optional).
4. Fill out the play submission form.

What to expect after submitting your play…

We will write you right back and let you know that we received your piece, and will read it and get back to you as soon as possible. If your script is accepted, we will send out a simple license or copyright agreement, complete your payment and get to work on formatting your play. It usually takes a few weeks to publish each script.

V INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR YOUNG THEATER WORKS

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Deadline: December 31, 2020

UPLOAD PLAY TO SUBMIT

The Contest aims to encourage writers in the creation of bold and powerful plays for young people. The spirit of this competition is the participation of playwrights in terms of equality, regardless of nationality, age, gender or language.

Contest Rules:

ELIGILIBITY

1. The competition is open to all writers worldwide and there is no age or nationality limit for the entrants.

a) We do accept plays co-authored by more than one writer. writer or playwright eans either a single writer or a group of writers in a collective work.

b) The participation of an underage writer must be authorised by the legal guardian.

2. The competition is restricted to plays for young audiences.

a) We do not accept plays for children or adult audiences,

b) We do not accept musicals.

3. Writers are asked to submit a play for either:

a) Category A. The play must cater for a performance time of no less than 60 min and no more than two hours.

b) Category B. The play must cater for a performance time of no less than 30 min and no more than one hour.

4. The play can be written in any official language of the world.

5. The play must be a new and original piece of work. The play must not have been

published in any form or awarded previously.

a) The copyright of the play must be owned and/or controlled by the entrant to the full extent necessary to enable Editorial DALYA to use the work as contemplated by these contest rules.

b) Performed plays can be submitted. 

6. There is no fee to enter and no hidden costs for the entrants.

THE PRIZES

7. 10000 in prizes to be won:

a) Category A ( 4800)

A cash prize of 24 for the writer, translation to another European language,

publication and public reading, plus economic aid for performances of the play

within two years after its publication.

b) Category B ( 3200)

A cash prize of 10 for the writer, translation to another European language,

publication and public reading, plus economic aid for the performances of the

play within two years after its publication.

c) Shorlist 2000)

The shortlisted plays will automatically be considered for publication in Editorial DALYA.

d) Awards cannot be shared or reduced, and the prize must be granted at least in one category.

e) The Jury may award Honourable Mentions without cash prizes to any play of the

contest.

HOW TO ENTER

8. The competition opens on Thursday 1 October 2020, with the deadline for entry being on Thursday 31 December 2020.

a) We do accept up to three plays per writers.

b) Each entry must contain just one play.

9. The play may be submitted via links provided in ytpwc.edalya.com or on Editorial DALYA web page: www.edalya.com. (→ Premios→Premio Teatro Joven).

a) The document must contain a front page stating:

1) The title of the play.

2) The contest category (A or B).

3) Contact e-mail.

b) Include the authorisation of the legal guardian, if applicable.

c) The writer's name must be deleted from the entry and document to facilitate fair, anonymous judging.

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE THE WEB SITE

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking short scripts

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Deadline: December 31, 2020

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking short scripts (a maximum of 15 minutes) that are geared toward young audiences. Priority will be placed on scripts that are ethnically and culturally diverse, and written by writers of color and/or LGBTQ writers. This is open to playwrights in any geographic area, though writers in the greater Chicago area will receive priority. NO FEE. 

Playwrights will receive $25 per selected script.

Selected plays will be produced in June 2021 as part of the second annual Make/Believe festival of theatre for children under our Nightlight banner. (Learn more about the 2020 festival here.) We are planning for a virtual performance, which means the pieces will be filmed and made available to audiences in any geographic area, but only for a limited time; and tentatively for live performances. A note on virtual performances: After the performance dates, the pieces will not be shown in full again without the playwright’s permission, although Ghostlight reserves the right to use excerpts of the performances in future promotional and marketing videos. 

Please pay close attention to the script requirements. Scripts that do not meet the following criteria will not be considered. 

Requirements

• A maximum of 3 actors per script. There are no restrictions, however, on the number of characters. Please note, that while some directors have chosen to use child actors in past pieces, the intent of this festival is to perform for children, not with children. 
• Plays must be adaptable to virtual and live performances.
• Must fit our mission.
• Geared toward children 10 and under. Please, NO scripts about high school students.
• All props, set pieces and costumes must be easily made at home by actors (and children watching who want to stage their own productions at home).
• Pieces can be previously produced, but cannot have a production running concurrently with Make/Believe. 

Electronic submissions only, please. Submit cover letter with full contact information, short bio, brief synopsis of script including development and production history (if applicable) and full script to Maria Burnham at scripts@ghostlightensemble.com. Please use the following format in the email’s subject line: Nightlight Script Submission: [play name] - [playwright name]

The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2020.

ReImagine: New Plays in TYA

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Phase One — Deadline December 30, 2020

Application Process

ReImagine will work in a two-phase application process. You do NOT need to have a script ready to submit in order to apply. However, scripts/drafts/treatments will be requested in Phase Two.

Phase One — Deadline December 30, 2020

Playwrights will be asked to submit a short application that includes the following narrative questions:

Tell us about yourself and the kind of work you love to make — this could be a statement, a poem, a monologue, the lyrics for a song…any text-based way you’d like to tell us about who you are and why you write. (Max: 1 page)

Why do you want to write for young people? (Max: 1 page)

Describe your project — what is the story? Why do you feel compelled to tell this story at this moment? (Max: 2 pages)

What are you looking to achieve in a development process? What resources will you need? (Please be honest – we would rather know now and your answer will not determine whether you are selected!) (Max: 1 page)

Each question and answer should be saved as a unique document for upload — Word and PDF formats accepted. Please label each document with your last name and the question number (E.G. JonesQuestion1.pdf)

A reading committee comprised of the Advisory Council plus additional invited readers will read all first round applicants and choose a selection of projects to move to the second phase.

Phase Two — Deadline February, 2021

At this time, playwrights who move to the second phase will be asked to submit a sample of the proposed work. This could be a full draft, a partial draft, a treatment, an outline, or any text-based representation of the work. Playwrights might be asked to answer additional questions and/or participate in an interview.

Final selections will be made by the Advisory Council and announced in March, 2021.

Ready to apply? Click here!

Questions? Contact Jenny Millinger at jmillinger@childsplayaz.org

ReImagine: New Plays in TYA aims to support the development and visibility of new works for young audiences by BIPOC playwrights. This project will provide funding directly to the playwright, as well as funds to be utilized for development work with a partner theatre.

Who’s it for?

ReImagine is open to ANY playwright of color who is specifically writing for young audiences. We encourage projects from early career playwrights as well as experienced playwrights. Playwrights need to be currently residing in the United States.

Definition: Playwright — the generative artist(s) who create the script/story. We are open to teams of playwrights/generative artists, including but not limited to devising teams and playwright/composer teams.

Definition: Playwright of Color — any playwright who self-identifies as Black/African American, Indigenous, Native American, Latinx, Asian-American, Pacific-Islander, Pilipino, and/or multi/mixed race.

Definition: Young Audiences — children aged 2-18. We are seeking stories that are specifically created for this audience — if you have a play that was written for adults/young adults that “could be okay for teens, too,” we applaud your work but this application isn’t a good match.

What kinds of projects are you looking for?

We are looking for bold and fresh new ideas and voices. We are interested in the stories that you feel need to be shared in this moment – stories that are urgent and energized and fantastical and joyful and devastating and searching and burning to be told.

We are interested in hearing the full range of stories that playwrights of color are interested in telling; proposed projects do not have to address cultural identity.

We are looking for projects that are in an early-to-mid stage of development. Our goal is to provide resources to the playwright to further the creation and/or development of a new idea or project. If you have a script that is ready for production, we applaud your work, but this application isn’t a good match for your project (we are actively looking for ways to highlight work that is ready for production, so watch this space.)

Recognizing that our development resources are limited, we are open to a range of styles and development needs, including devised work and musicals. Adaptations will only be accepted from works in the public domain (e.g. folktales).

That’s in large part up to you! We recognize that playwrights work at different speeds and that one type of development process does not fit all. You might want to spend one concentrated week of time working with actors; you might choose to hold a reading every weekend for a month, or even a reading every two or three months. You are in charge of your process, which will be finalized in conjunction with your partner theatre.

You may start drawing upon development funds as soon as you have found a partner theatre; all development funds MUST be expended by December 31, 2021.

What do we mean by “development process”? For those applicants who may be new to playwriting, this is often known as workshop time — it is the part of writing a play that involves other collaborators. Some playwrights like to hand a draft script to a director and actors, hear them read the work, and then go away and make changes (either overnight if you want to spend a full week with actors or over a longer period of time if you just want occasional readings). Other playwrights like to devise work by giving actors and a director opportunities to improvise on themes or ideas; the playwright watches (or participates!) and then takes ideas away to write on their own. You might also want an audience — of young people or families — to watch a reading your work and talk to you about it. When we ask you to describe your desired development process, essentially we are saying: “we will provide you with funds for actors, a director and a dramaturge — how will you use their time?”)

Stay home, stay safe: This project (and its budget!) were created for COVID times. We are assuming that development activities will take place largely or exclusively online. You and your partner theatre may choose to hold in-person workshops, but funding for travel is not included in the budget.
Who are the partner theatres?

That’s part of the process! After a project has been selected, we will work with the playwright to develop an application for theatres based upon the needs of your project. We will collect applications and help you select a theatre that best suits you and your project. You do NOT need to have a relationship with a theatre in order to apply or be selected!

If you are already working with a theatre on your project or if you have a relationship with a theatre already, then we’ll just need to confirm the theatre’s willingness to participate and you’re good to go.

Definition: Partner Theatre — A theatre that will host your development work. The theatre will be asked to do all the logistical work (hiring and paying artists, scheduling, hosting, stage management, etc.). They will also be asked to connect you with young people in their community to listen to a reading and provide dramaturgical response. And, if you enjoy working together, we hope that the theatre will continue to develop your work with an eye towards production. However, there is no long-term commitment/guarantee from either the playwright or the partner theatre. The theatres serve as the fiscal managers of the development budget and must be able to receive grant funds.

Definition: Theatre of Record — But what if you really, desperately don’t want to work with a formal theatre? If you have a creative team in place for your project (e.g. you already have a director, dramaturge and actors) AND you don’t want to be affiliated with a formal theatre AND you are willing to do the coordination for your workshops, Childsplay will serve as your theatre of record in order to compensate artists.
What will be required of playwrights?

Playwrights will be required to do active development work on their project and, in conjunction with their partner theatres, report on their activities during and at the end of the project period.

Playwrights will be required to participate in ReImagine presentations at the 2021 TYA/USA Festival to promote your work. This might include participating on a panel, helping us create a video about you and your work, or even holding a reading if your play is ready to be shared. You will likely also be asked to participate in follow-up activities at the 2022 TYA/USA Festival.

Playwrights will be invited to promote their work through the TYA/USA network and platforms. We will collaborate with you over the course of the year to determine the best way to showcase your work.

Playwrights will be invited to submit information about their project to a collective website or platform that will be developed for ReImagine in order to link playwrights to potential producers.

Playwrights will have access to support throughout their project from the Write Now staff and members of the ReImagine Advisory Council.

Playwrights will retain ALL rights to their work.

Fantasy Theater seeks short plays for children

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Deadline: October 24, 2020

Chatham NJ

Fantasy Theater, which produces CCP's children's theatre, is seeking original short pieces to be produced this winter in a safe environment, following all local health recommendations, and to be presented virtually. The deadline for submissions is October 24th.

Pieces should be about 15 minutes long and be appropriate for children and families. We are seeking plays that are "fractured fairy tales"--think a classic story but updated and/or with a twist. The funnier the better! Plays should feature no more than 5 actors, but actors can play multiple parts (please note which parts would be played by the same actors if possible).

Please email your plays to FantasyTheater@ChathamPlayers.org.

If you are an interested actor and comfortable working safely together, please email us at the same email.

We look forward to reading your plays!

Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre seeks online plays for young audiences

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Deadline: July 31, 2020 11:59 CST

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre (OKC Rep), an Actors’ Equity Association Category 1 Small Professional Theatre, is seeking submissions of previously unproduced plays, written explicitly for online communications platforms (Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, et al) in the following categories:

1. NEW VOICES: Playwrights between the ages of 18-26

• 50- to 80-minute plays that are written within the context of online communication;
• Plays can be two or more characters; each character will occupy a single window on screen. Monologues that exhibit innovative use of the form will be considered.

2. YOUNG AUDIENCES: Material to engage young audiences between the ages of 4-11

• 40- to 60-minute plays that are written within the context of online communication; 
• Plays can be two or more characters; each character will occupy a single window on screen. Monologues that exhibit innovative use of the form will be considered.
• Plays must be suitable and engaging for audiences between the ages of 4-11.

Selected play(s) will be produced as an online reading under the auspices of OKC Rep Theatre, and distributed to our audiences via social media. Plays selected for readings will be awarded a $250 honorarium. Selected plays may be considered for full production in a future season.


SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Deadline for all submissions is no later than 11:59 CST on July 31, 2020. Please email the following submission requirements to stageathome@cityrep.com:

1. Script(s): must be in .pdf form, with embedded page numbers;

2. A one-page copy of your resume in .pdf format;

3. A one-page cover letter in .pdf format, containing the following information:

1. Full name
2. Professional name (if different)
3. Mailing Address, City, State, ZIP
4. Website, if available
5. Social media handles
6. Connection to Oklahoma*, if relevant;
7. Title of Play, Category & Year Written
8. Brief Synopsis

*While special consideration is given to playwrights native to or living in Oklahoma, all are welcome to apply.

CityRep's mission is to serve Oklahoma's diverse artistic, educational and civic needs by providing dynamic professional theatre.

We entertain, enlighten and inspire!

For more information please visit okcrep.org.

Theatrefolk Inc. is seeking one-act Middle School play submissions for publication

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No deadline given

Theatrefolk Inc. is seeking one-act Middle School play submissions by 'Black, Indigenous, People of Color' (BIPOC) playwrights for immediate publication.

Our mission is to represent student voices and to let students know they are not alone. It has been made clear where we have succeeded and where we have failed in this pursuit. We want to do better and we want to start with Middle School plays.

It’s crucial that Middle School students know there are playwrights out there speaking directly to them and for them. A call for High School plays will be announced later in the year.

Submission Criteria

• Plays are between 25 and 35 minutes in length. 
• The majority of our customers at the Middle School level work on productions during class so the running time should fit within a class period.
• Plays have a majority of middle-school-aged characters. 
• We want to feature middle-school-aged voices.
• Plays are contemporary. 
• We want Middle School stories that take place today.
• Plays have simple staging requirements 
• Many of our customers need to do a lot with a little.
• Can your play be performed online? 

• Not a requirement. But we envision that plays that can be performed online or in a social distancing scenario may receive more productions.

• Playwrights may submit more than one play. 
• Plays cannot be under contract to another publisher. 
• Playwrights will be notified immediately about receipt of scripts and within 6 weeks regarding publication.

Please submit your work to submissions@theatrefolk.com with a cover letter and contact information. Tell us about yourself and your play.

We look forward to reading your work.

Notre Dame Performing Arts New Play Festival

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Deadline: July 15, 2020

South Euclid Ohio

Notre Dame College Performing Arts will host its annual National Playwriting Festival in November 2020, showcasing unproduced plays and musicals for young adults and children.

A national search has begun, looking for the best and most promising theatrical works relevant to young audiences today. The two-day festival will consist of 3-5 staged readings of previously unseen theatrical works, and will take place in the Regina Auditorium on the Notre Dame College campus.

A winner will be chosen through committee/audience voting and will receive a $500 prize, as well as the opportunity to present fully-staged production during the subsequent NDC Spring Semester.

The winner of the 2019 Notre Dame Performing Arts New Play Festival, "MIDNITE" by Rory Leahy and Rena Hardy, received its world premiere production February 2020.

Beginning March 15 of each year, the Notre Dame College New Play Festival will begin taking digital-copy submissions of new plays and musicals. The Director of Theatre will ensure the submitted materials follow specified criteria (see below) and will pass the play to 7-person panel who will judge the merits of each work.

All playwrights will be notified of the status of their submission in September and promotion about the chosen material will begin thereafter.

The festival will take place in late November.

The productions will be showcased in a reader’s theatre format open to the public. The winner will be chosen by the selection panel, with consideration given to an audience vote, and announced at a reception upon conclusion of the festival.

The winner of each season’s new Playwriting Festival will receive a fully-developed and produced show as part of the NDC Spring Semester.

A cash prize of $500 will be awarded to the winner dependent upon funding.

Criteria

- There is no submission fee for the Notre Dame College New Play Festival

- Submission deadline is July 15 of each year. Scripts received after that date will be considered the following year.

- 3-5 finalists will be selected on October 1 of that year and their names will be posted to the Notre Dame College website and social media platforms at that time.

- Must be a full-length play/musical for children or young adults without a prior production

- A brief synopsis must be sent together with a complete digital manuscript. Submission must include a contact phone number and e-mail address on the play’s title page. No hard-copy submissions will be accepted.

- The play must be at least 1 hour and no longer than 90 minutes.

- The play must be appropriate for audiences of all ages.

- Dramas, comedies and farces (with or without music) are welcome.

- Only ONE work per author may be submitted each year.

- Cast size limited to no less than 4 or more than 22.

- The plays selected will be acted by our student actors with a mix of regional artists where necessary. Plays that can be effectively cast within our market will be considered favorably.

- Playwrights who are questioning whether or not their play is a good match for the Notre Dame New Play Festival are strongly encouraged to contact Director of Theatre Pierre Brault at theatre@ndc.edu before submitting.

- All plays that are not selected for the festival will be held on file for 2 years.

- All qualifying submissions will be read by five to seven readers.

Be advised that the following are not considered qualifying submissions:

• Screenplays submitted as theatrical plays
• Plays with excessive profanity or violence or are inappropriate for youth audience members

Notre Dame College 2020 New Play Festival Timeline

March 15 – Begin accepting submissions

July 15 – Submission deadline

October 15 - Finalists announced

November - Annual Notre Dame New Play Festival

Length: 60-90 minutes
Cast Size: 4–24
Age Appropriateness: all ages
Unproduced Work Only?: Yes

Drama Notebook submission guidelines

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Have you written plays for kids and teens and simply want to have them used and performed?
Drama Notebook is accepting submissions from playwrights, teachers, and actors who have written scripts or scenes for children and teens. We are building a huge library of royalty-free, high-quality scripts for use in educational settings.
Most drama teachers pay for materials out-of-pocket, and cannot afford to pay royalties, per-script fees, video fees, etc. By sharing your work, you will be benefiting thousands of educators in over 100 countries.

We can either license your script for a small fee, or purchase the copyright for a slightly larger amount. This is not life-changing $ to be sure, but you will experience the joy of knowing that your work is being performed by students all over the world.
When we publish your script, we include your bio, a link to your website (if applicable), and a way for teachers to contact you when their students perform your play!
Ready to submit your plays?

1. Download more detailed information online.
2. See an example of a formatted script.
3. Download our handy script template (optional).
4. Fill out the play submission form.

We will contact you immediately to let you know that we have received your submission, and our team will get back to you within one week to let you know whether or not we’d like to add your script(s) to our library.

What to expect after submitting your play…
We will write you right back and let you know that we received your piece, and will read it and get back to you as soon as possible. Currently, we are back-logged due to a huge influx of scripts that we are currently formatting and publishing on the site. We appreciate your patience, and if your play is accepted, we will give your script the same attention to detail as we are with our current playwrights. We estimate a maximum wait-time of 60 days and we appreciate your patience.

Emit Theatre seeks interactive plays for young audiences

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Deadline: June 1, 2020

We are accepting original scripts that have not been previously produced, as well as concepts for devised pieces, from NYC-based artists. This production will be performed for public audiences in Fall 2020 and subsequently toured to schools and community groups. The selected applicant will be compensated with a stipend.

Submitted stories must center a population that has been historically underrepresented in theatre. Inspiration for the piece can include but is not limited to: a folk tale, legend, piece of music, visual art piece, or historical event.

Requirements for submissions:

• For young people within the age range of 4-11.
• 40-60 minutes in length.
• Can be performed with 1-3 actors.
• Appropriate for up to 70 audience members.
• If submission is an original script, it must be finished and ready for rehearsal (although the script is free to continue developing throughout the process).
• Must include specific opportunities for interaction throughout. Examples of appropriate interaction include but are not limited to: call and response, group movement, posing questions to the audience, or bringing a small group onstage to help with a task.
• Must be able to become a sensory friendly, relaxed performance

It is desired that applicants have experience with interactive performance, but it is not required. The selected applicant will train with Artistic Director Gianna Cioffi to develop the interactive elements of the piece in harmony with Emit’s style and community.

Application deadline is June 1, 2020. A decision will be made by July 1, 2020.

Submission is via this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczP0hdGqZF71Ne6pvXtSbAZQsiQnsDXpXLdhv-yz3gLFhE6g/viewform

The Chameleon Theatre Circle announces its 21st Annual New Play Contest

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Submission Deadline: May 8, 2020

Apple Valley Minnesota

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 (e.g. one-acts, musicals, full length dramas, etc.). The winning plays are scheduled to be showcased in a concert-format festival in the fall of 2020. 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 21st consecutive year we are not charging a submission fee! To enter you must complete an entry form, and submit it along with three (3) copies of each script to the address below. (The form is fillable once you download the form from Dropbox). We request that copies of the plays be printed double-sided to save on paper, mailing costs, and storage. If you are submitting a musical, also include three (3) copies of the music on a CD or flash drive.

Do not bind any author identification with your scripts. We will distribute the scripts "blind" to our readers for complete objectivity. Include the show's title on at least the first bound 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 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.

TEN-MINUTE 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 of about 15 pages or less will fall into this category.

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

FULL-LENGTH
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. It is important to note that these shows can be one, two, or more acts, as long as it makes up a complete evening of theatre.

MUSICALS
If five or more musicals are submitted, the theatre 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 (e.g. full-length, one-act, and 10-minute). In the absence of enough qualifying scripts, or if the theatre determines not to create an additional category, any musical 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, the theatre 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 (e.g. full-length, one-act, and 10-minute). In the absence of enough qualifying scripts, or if the theatre determines not to create an additional category, any theatre-for-youth submission will be entered into the appropriate category as defined above.

OVERALL CONTEST WINNER/AUDIENCE FAVORITE WINNER
At the theatre's discretion, we reserve the right to designate or not designate an "Overall Contest Winner" from any category and an "Audience-Favorite Winner" from any category at the conclusion of the New Play Festival. No additional prize money is awarded, just bragging rights.

Each playwright may submit up to two plays in any combination. Please submit three (3) copies of each script (plus three (3) copies of the music on CDs or flash drives for musicals) and the required entry form(s) by May 8, 2020 (in hand, not postmarked by) to:

The Chameleon Theatre Circle
21st Annual New Play Contest
7287 153rd St W # 240069
Apple Valley MN 55124