RESISTING FASCISM ~ Weitiko Principle by Christopher Soucy

Christopher Soucy is a playwright living in Savannah, Georgia. He has been a theater professional in the south east for over thirty years and is a co-founder of Odd Lot Improv and Savannah Shakes Theater Company.

www.soucywrites.com
IG: @soucywriter
FACEBOOK: @soucyman

     ~ Excerpt published by permission, all rights held by the playwright.

If you enjoy a piece published in the RESISTING FASCISM project, we encourage you to reach out to the playwright to tell them so. If the playwright has not included an email address or website, let us know at info@nycplaywrights.org and we'll pass along your message.

                 MARGE

I don’t know how to handle this deep hatred I have for those mother fuckers. 

 

                 CHOGAN

Yeah... that’s a toughy. 

 

                MARGE

I’ve tried to purge them from my life... But they make up half the goddamn country. I don’t know who’s safe.

                   

                CHOGAN

Mmm... maybe no one is. 

  

                MARGE

Maybe. 

 

                CHOGAN 

You want to combat the evil?  

 

                MARGE

Yes! 

 

                CHOGAN

Good. To make it easier, you must think of the evil as a disease. 

 

                MARGE

What? 

 

                CHOGAN

A disease. Spreading rampantly throughout the land. 

 

                MARGE

What kind of disease? 

 

                CHOGAN

Selfishness. Greed. Excess. All of these things inspire people to cannibalize their fellow human beings. 

 

                MARGE

Those are choices, not a disease. 

 

                CHOGAN

Perhaps. But when we think of it like a disease, it makes sense to still engage with those infected. We hope that they will come to health. We hope that we can provide a means for them to come to health. 

 

                MARGE

That’s crazy. That won’t work. They don’t think they are sick! 

 

                CHOGAN

And that is why it spreads so virulently. Fight the evil. Not the person. Forgive the person. 

 

                MARGE

I can’t. 

 

                CHOGAN

And that’s okay. I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not sayingbyou’ll succeed. But you must not let the same evil consume you. 

 

                MARGE

What? I’m not!

  

                CHOGAN

No? You are not feeding your rage. Pitting yourself against everything and everyone. 

 

                MARGE

They’re wrong. 

 

                CHOGAN

And they will never learn to be right if they are cut off from examples. If you vilify them, they will respond with villainy. 

 

                MARGE

But they won’t change. 

 

                CHOGAN

No. They won’t. But what’s important, truly important, is for you not to change. For you not to give in to fear and hate and prejudice. 

 

                MARGE

This is ridiculous. You don’t know what you’re talking about. 

 

                CHOGAN

I’m a figment of your imagination. A slightly racist figment. But, I’ll let it slide. The nation is facing a terrible crisis. My people call it Wetiko. An evil that preys upon the spirit. It contaminates and twists otherwise good people into selfish acts. 

 

                MARGE

It sounds like you’re asking me to just roll over. 

 

                CHOGAN

What? No. Fight. Fight with everything you have. Show nobility. Show understading. For as selfishness can be spread from person to person, so can compassion. 

 

                MARGE

What if I fail? 

 

                CHOGAN

We do not do these things to succeed. We do them because they are right. And sometimes, what is right does not win. But that is no reason to stop trying. 

 

                 MARGE

 So... what? I just let these fucking pieces of shit back into my life? 

 

                CHOGAN

No. God no. But maybe stop filling yourself up so full of venom that it comes spilling out so readily. Try to evaluate the people in your life on an individual basis. Perhaps, some of those you have cut out of your life may have a place in it after all. 

 

                MARGE

You think I should take Ben back? 

 

                CHOGAN

Fuck no! That guy’s an asshole and a half. 

 

                MARGE

Okay... Thanks.

                     

                CHOGAN

Don’t thank me... I’m probably just a manifestation of a Wikipedia article you read once and forgot about. 

 

                MARGE

Right... 

 

                CHOGAN

Good luck. 

 

                MARGE

Thanks. 

 

                CHOGAN

It’ll be hard, but it will be worth it.

The latest fascist atrocity: Trump pardons thousands of violent criminals and traitors. 

History will remember this as one of the worst moments of the United States of America, and the people who supported this monster will be rightly condemned as fools and cultists.

13th ANNUAL COLUMBUS BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL (CBTF)

Website

Deadline: February 28, 2025

Submission form

Mine 4 God Productions is accepting monologues and one-act plays that have diversity, inclusion, and equity of Black and Brown characters for our 13th Annual Columbus Black Theatre Festival (CBTF) that will be held July 5th-6th 2025, at The Columbus Performing Arts Center Van Fleet Theatre, located in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

The theme for 2025 is Still Standing Strong. 

Our Founder/Artistic Director, Julie Whitney Scott, was given this theme, as usual, through prayer. It’s a theme that inspires hope, resilience, and love for each another. It’s about standing strong as an individual, couple or group of people before, during, through and after adversity comes into their lives. It’s about how to stay strong during difficult times. It must be a story that is a story and not a lecture to push your views on others. It must be about everyday people and their everyday lives and how they stand strong during adversity. Submissions are accepted December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025.

The entries need to meet the following criteria:

1) No more than 4 to 6 characters (Actors can play double-roles.)

2) No derogatory, hate based, sexually explicit work will be reviewed or accepted.

3) Have minimal set/light requirements.

4) If required, play can be rehearsed/performed effectively by virtual means.

5) 15 to 20 minutes long for one-act plays. 5 to 10 minutes long for monologues.

6) Written blocking notes of the play can be rearranged by the Director to meet venue space.

7) Must submit a titled script and a blind script without any identifying information other than the title.

8) Only one play submission per playwright.

*Due to the number of plays received each year, you will not be notified unless your play is accepted. However, you can email us after February 28, 2025, for feedback on your submission at www.mine4godproductionsllc@aol.com 

 Go to our website at www.mine4godproductions.com to keep up with our festival notices.

Julie Whitney Scott, Founder/Artistic Director

RESISTING FASCISM ~ A Brat Girl's Guide to Election Glam by V. B. Rankin

V. B. Rankin has directed 46 shows and has had 31 of her original scripts produced nationally and internationally winning numerous awards for writing and acting. She proudly served in the Peace Corps.

ABOUT THE MONOLOGUE

Explored through the phenomenon of social media influence, “A Brat Girl’s Guide to Election Glam” sarcastically addresses how to become buffoon.

~ Excerpt published by permission, all rights held by the playwright.

If you enjoy a piece published in the RESISTING FASCISM project, we encourage you to reach out to the playwright to tell them so. If the playwright has not included an email address or website, let us know at info@nycplaywrights.org and we'll pass along your message.

This is lookin’ so slay. Bet! Next, you’ll want to your classified document bathroom and get the totes rachet loofa you can find. Rake that skibidi toilet brush until the fibers are a feathery brittle hot mess. Then plop it on yer head, comb it over and spray that shat until you burn a hole in the ozone. This is bussin! I’m shooketh!

Vibe check. It’s giving-Very demure. Very Mindful. Very delulu. All those hillbilly truck parade angry neo brown shirts are gonna wanna grab you by the gyatt. H-O-T-T-O-G-O!

Get a mid blue suit from the Brooks Brothers outlet that you can wear through decades of failed casinos, failed real estate transactions and faux luxury golf courses. Lastly, never ever stop talking. If anyone else tries to speak just talk louder and say offensive things about the military, people with disabilities, BIPOC and women. Especially women. And if the women don’t shut up, they can be cyber bullied with rape threats. Soooo Sigma.

For the final touch attach these puppet strings that stretch all the way to Russia so Putin can low key run AMEEER-ICA! Big-L.

FASCISM UPDATE: Republicans threaten to deport a bishop for being too Christian.

The Artistic Home: Cut to the Chase

Website

Deadline: February 5, 2025

Or when 300 plays are received

Performance Dates: May 1 - May 4, 2025

Submissions are now open for the 22nd Cut to the Chase one-act play festival, presented by The Artistic Home Studio. A staple of Chicago’s theater community for over two decades, Cut to the Chase presents six new plays, showcasing moment-to-moment acting in an intimate theater space.

Play Submission Should Meet The Following Requirements:

- One-act plays of no more than 12 minutes

- Previously unproduced in Chicago

- Writers are asked to send only one play, choosing their most appropriate script for this festival

- Writers are encouraged to submit plays that generally fit this year’s theme: what is real?

- Plays will be chosen in part on their ability to provide a range of voices  and an opportunity for showcasing a diverse cast

- Please include play title and playwright’s name on the script

Submission Deadline: February 5, 2025

Please note that submissions will close when 300 plays are received.

Send PDF submissions or questions to: CTTCplays@gmail.com

The Weekly Workshop - Start the New Year off right!

The Weekly Workshop

Start the New Year off right! 

Join our nationwide community of playwrights on Zoom. 

It’s a great way to stay connected and motivated.

 

Participating in a weekly workshop can give you the kick you need to see your script through from beginning to end.  You can bring in anything you’re working on — a full length script, a musical, a TV pilot, whatever. And when your script is ready — we’ll present it in a Public Reading. We also bring in Guest Speakers, like Pulitzer Prize winner Margaret Edson (Wit). 

 

 

Sit in on a session and see for yourself!

Tuesdays or Thursdays 7 - 9:30pm EST

 

Check out our website for more details and rates. 

 

Script Consultations

 

If you don’t have time for the workshop but have a script you’d like some feedback on — just send a PDF of your script and you’ll get a critique via email and/or video conference. See website for rates.

 

Richard Caliban has worked with  individuals on their scripts from all over the world — Indonesia, China, Greece, Australia, Serbia, as well as right here in New York. A script consultation will provide you with feedback on the structural soundness of your story, the dramatic arc of your protagonist, thematic unity and much more.

 

Online One-on-One Courses

 

If you’re looking for more, check out our One on One Online Playwriting Courses:

 

•       The Art of Playwriting

•       Write a Play in 10 Weeks

•       3 Hour Short Course

 

All are with instructor Richard Caliban, and since it’s One on One, the courses can be adjusted to fit your level of experience. 

 

Please visit our website for further Info and Rates: 

 

www.theplaywrightsgroup.com

 

Contact us at 

scripts@theplaywrightsgroup.com

RESISTING FASCISM ~ Take Him! Take Me! by Paul Bowman

Paul Bowman has been a farm boy, soldier, bartender, nursing home maintenance man. He writes plays and fictions. His one-acts have been staged in twelve states, Australia, and Canada. Four short plays and twenty-one stories have been published in literary journals. Another play, It's Going to be a Great Day, was also selected as a semifinalist in a previous call for plays by the NYC Playwrights and was later published by FRESH WORDS literary journal.

ABOUT THE PLAY

What inspired Take Him Take Me was reading accounts of family members deciding to break off relations with siblings or parents after learning that they voted for Trump. I also wondered how it would feel to see someone you know and like but is foreign-born to be taken away in front of you and you are powerless to stop it. Would that scary moment call you to action? To end a relationship with someone you thought you knew but did not?  

    

     ~ Excerpt published by permission, all rights held by the playwright.

If you enjoy a piece published in the RESISTING FASCISM project, we encourage you to reach out to the playwright to tell them so. If the playwright has not included an email address or website, let us know at info@nycplaywrights.org and we'll pass along your message.

            ICE OFFICER

Ma’am, do not interfere!!

             MIKE

Carla.

            CARLA

        (pointing at MIKE)

Take him.

            MIKE

What?

            CARLA

Take him! He is the one you want! He does not belong in this country!!

            MIKE

Carla! Are you crazy?

            CARLA

He sells drugs! He’s a dealer! Arrest him!

            MIKE

Carla!!

            CARLA

It’s true! Check the trunk of his car if you want proof.

            MIKE

Carla, shut the hell up!

            CARLA

His real name is Mikhail. He’s from Russia. And he has no documentation.

            MIKE

Carla! What the hell is the matter with you?

            CARLA

Just telling the truth, Mikhail Boreski. Just telling the truth.

            MIKE

I’m an American! I was born here.

            CARLA

Liar. You worship the President. What good is that going to do you when they haul your ass away? He’s not going to save your ass. Fool.

            MIKE

Why are you saying these things? What has gotten into you?

            CARLA

I’m tired of it. Tired of hiding you. Lying about you to my friends and family.

        (pointing to ICE OFFICER)

If he doesn’t take you in I’ll call his boss. Then it is over for you. You’ll be just like Nadia. Maybe you can share the same cell. How about that, Mikhail Boreski?

        [ICE OFFICER stares at MIKE.]

            MIKE

Stop this! Stop it! Shut up!

        [PAUSE. CARLA suddenly laughs.]

            CARLA

Yeah, I made it up, officer. Mike’s father is actually a Shawnee. His mother a Cherokee. Pure blood. True patriot.

            MIKE

You trying to be funny?

            [PAUSE]

            CARLA

I’m tired of your....bullshit patriotism. Which is not the real thing.

[CARLA goes to ICE OFFICER. She extends her arms, wrists together, toward him.]

Take me.

            ICE OFFICER

I don’t know what you’re trying to prove.

            CARLA

TAKE ME. TAKE ME.

            ICE OFFICER

Back off.

[CARLA grabs NADIA’S arms. She pulls her away from the ICE OFFICER. ICE OFFICER reaches for NADIA. CARLA stands between them.]

            CARLA

(an angry whisper)

Take me.

            ICE OFFICER

I said back off.

            CARLA

Never.

            MIKE

Carla.

            CARLA

Take me.

            MIKE

Stop it!

            CARLA

I’m trying to. Are you?

            (to ICE OFFICER)

What are you waiting for? Arrest me.

[CARLA shoves ICE OFFICER. ICE OFFICER grabs CARLA.]

            ICE OFFICER

You’re under arrest.

            CARLA

Good.

            ICE OFFICER

I said you’re under arrest.

[CARLA interlocks her arms with NADIA’S.]

            MIKE

            (a plea)

Carla.

            CARLA

Shut-up and goodbye.

            MIKE

You’re being an idiot.

            CARLA

Look who’s talking.

Get a divorce attorney.

Masque & Spectacle submissions period open now

Website

Deadline: January 31, 2025

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

Masque & Spectacle reads submissions for its bi-annual issues November 1 – January 31 and May 1 – July 31. Submissions received outside of this time period will be automatically deleted. Responses can be expected within a month. Acceptance rate is around 10%. Submissions not titled/tagged or formatted or properly under the Submissions Guidelines will not be considered for publication.

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

Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know if your work has been accepted elsewhere.

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

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

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

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

RESISTING FASCISM finalists

The judges have reviewed the semi-finalist scripts submitted for the RESISTING FASCISM project and these are the finalists they have selected:

• As Long as I Know How to Love by Thomas J. Misuraca

• I Am Charlotte by Richard Lyons Conlon

• The 92% by Bryan-Keyth Wilson - prize winner

Excerpts from all the semi-finalists will be posted, every other day, beginning tomorrow, January 20, the day when resisting fascism begins in earnest.

Thank you to everybody who participated in this RESISTING FASCISM project. The next four years will test our country and we must work together to resist the damage and when it's over, to repair the damage.

The most incompetent, the most unqualified, the most bizarre, and the most corrupt people possible have been invited to run the American government - exactly what you would expect from an adjudicated rapist and a 34-count felon who tried to overthrow the American government on January 6, 2021. 

Check out Rachel Maddow's series called "Public Servant Announcement" for more details.

EXIT Theatre seeks short plays for its 2025 Short Play Festival

Website

Deadline: January 31, 2025

EXIT Theatre seeks short plays no longer than 15 minutes in length for its 2025 Short Play Festival which will be held June 19-29, 2025 at EXIT Theatre in Arcata, Ca. 

Submit ONE original play only for consideration. Send it as an attachment in a PDF or Word format to mail@theexit.org.

Submissions accepted January 1 to January 31, 2025. All theatrical performance styles will be considered that can be comfortably staged in our low-tech, low budget 30-seat theater.

Please include a cover letter with your contact information and staging ideas (i.e. set, props, music) as well as if you are able to provide any actors and/or a director for your piece.

Twelve short plays will be selected and presented at EXIT Theatre, Arcata, 890 G St., 2nd Floor. The festival will be held June 19-29, 2025 (Thursdays-Sundays). Selected playwrights will receive a $25 royalty, and all production costs will be covered by the theater. Playwrights retain all rights to their plays.

Questions? Contact mail@theexit.org

Play Selection:

• Plays will be chosen by our team of readers, with preference given to those that align with the theater’s technical capabilities.
• Plays with minimal technical requirements are more likely to be selected due to our time and resource limitations.
• Storage Space: Please note that our theater has limited storage space, so large props and scenic pieces may not be accommodated.
• Custom Props: While custom props and scenic pieces can be created by directors, we have limited resources to assist in their construction.
• Basic Props: The theater can provide some basic props such as lamps and tableware. Please inquire about availability.
• Available Furniture: Our theater offers a futon that can double as a sofa or bed, two plastic folding tables, chairs, and a side table for your use.
• Lighting and Sound: Our in-house Technical Director can assist with simple lighting and sound design.
• Sound cues will be limited to 3 per show, and lighting design will be subject to reasonable time constraints.
• Bring Your Own Designers: Directors who require more complex sound or lighting are welcome to bring in their own designers.
• Technical Support:Our technicians can operate QLab and will make every effort to accommodate technical needs within our constraints.

We appreciate your understanding of these limitations and look forward to working with you to create an engaging and memorable theatrical experience.

Village Playwrights seeks playwrights for its monthly reading

Facebook page

Deadline: none given

Village Playwrights will be having its next monthly play reading on December 2nd, 2024 @ St Johns , 81 Christopher St NYC 6:45-9pm

All playwrights are welcome to have excerpts of their works read by actors in a safe and supportive environment.

Theatrical Shenanigans Season 5 seeks audio plays

Website

Deadline: January 31, 2025

Send scripts to rfwscripts@gmail.com

- Every playwright may submit 1 play for Theatrical Shenanigans and 1 play for Mini Shenanigans - Each script must be submitted in a separate email with either "THEATRICAL SHENANIGANS 

SUBMISSION" or "MINI SHENANIGANS SUBMISSION" in the subject heading.

- Plays for Theatrical Shenanigans must be between 15 and 25 pages (not including a title/cast page)

- Plays for Mini Shenanigans must be between 10 and 15 pages (not included a title/cast page) and have a festive/Christmas theme

- MAX cast for any play is five characters

- Plays do not need to be written in audio format

- Plays need to be submitted as a PDF

Ten winning plays will produce the Theatrical Shenanigans 5th Season in August - December 2025
9 winning plays will produce the Mini Shenanigans Christmas Countdown series in December 2025
Submissions will close on 31st January and the winning plays will be announced on 9th February

If you have any other questions or queries contact rfwscripts@gmail.com

LaBute New Theater Festival 2025

Website

Deadline: January 31, 2025

Successful entries will have no more than four characters and be crafted specifically to exploit our intimate performance space. (18′ x 18′ stage) Changes in scenery or setting should be achievable quickly and with few major set moves. Our focus is on fundamental dramaturgy: plot, character and theme.

Professional, new and previously unproduced one-act play submissions should include a letter of inquiry, a synopsis and a 10-page sample from the script. Running time for each performance should not exceed 45 minutes. Up to Eight plays will be chosen. In addition, a new piece from Mr. LaBute will be performed every night for the run of the festival.

Submissions should be sent to:

LaBute New Theater Festival, St. Louis Actors’ Studio, 360 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108

For more information: 314-458-2978 or help@stlas.org

TIGER'S HEART PLAYERS IS NOW SEEKING SHORT WORKS

Facebook page

Deadline: rolling basis

TIGER'S HEART PLAYERS IS NOW SEEKING SHORT WORKS—10 TO 25 PAGES - OR UP TO 25 PAGES-FROM A LONGER WORK

(the latter to be read in full, in installments – we also present entire full-length works every other month under the Full Length Day)

Multiple Submissions are fine. Response time is usually swift—within 2 to 6 weeks.

NOTE: Tiger’s Heart Players will cast your play for a Presentation/Reading, or if you prefer, bring your own cast!

(Production is an entirely different matter.)

We are especially interested in work from Female, BIPOC, LGBTQI+ people of all backgrounds--Playwrights & Actors around the globe!

Submit @ Tigersheartplayers@gmail.com.

PDF or Word Accepted

Lab Sessions are posted every weekend on our Facebook Page @ Tiger’s Heart Players

WINTER 2025 Online Class in Writing the Ten-Minute Play

Winter online classes in Writing the Ten-Minute Play are now open for enrollment.

Award-winning playwright and musical theatre writer Arianna Rose is offering two online sessions in Writing The Ten-Minute Play.

Arianna has taught this course for the Dramatists Guild Institute, Delray Beach Playhouse and the Creative Arts School, and other playwriting and creative writing courses both online and in-person in NY and FL.

"Writing for the Stage: The Ten-Minute Play" 

Eight Sessions, 3 hours each session: choose one section

1. Tuesdays, 1 – 4 pm EST (January 21 – March 11)  

2. Thursdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm EST, (January 23 – March 13) 

Tution: $ 320

Discount: $20 discount for members of The Dramatists Guild, Playwright Binge, or South Florida Theatre League

Minimum of 4 participants per section; maximum of 8.

Course Description: 

Ten-minute play festivals continue to grow in popularity around the world, with readings, productions, and publications at every level of theatre. While short-form plays share some similarities with full-length storytelling, the dramatists who excel in this form have learned how to write into the differences. I can help you join their ranks and give you the tools to write to the highest level of craft.

This eight-session course is a combination of lecture, reading, discussion, and most importantly, in-class sharing of your work for feedback. Whether you’re a new or seasoned dramatist, Writing The Ten-Minute Play will assist you in your craft. Topics include the elements of a successful 10-minute play, generating ideas, character development, giving and receiving constructive feedback, effective rewrites, formatting your play, submissions, and log-keeping.

Please contact Arianna Rose at rockawayrose@gmail.com, or via her website where there is more course information: https://ariannarose.net/playwriting-classes-and-other-workshops

Arianna Rose is the Dramatists Guild Ambassador for South Florida, a Dramatists Guild Institute Instructor and Pip Mentor, professional dramaturg, Theatre Professor, and an award-winning playwright and musical theatre writer. Recipient of the MAC Song of the Year Award, the York Theatre NEO, and numerous best short play awards. Her work has been produced in 36 states and ten countries. Published: Smith & Kraus, Applause Books, Theatre Odyssey Publications & Gemco Publications Australia. 2019-2021 Miami-Dade County Playwright Development Program, moderated by Kia Corthron. She created and moderates the weekly Plays on Purpose/Miami New Musicals stage writers group, in its sixth year. M.F.A., NYU Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing; B.A. Theatre, Bucknell University; BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writing Workshop. Memberships: ASCAP, LMDA, MAESTRA, Musicians Union, New Play Exchange, South Florida Theatre League, Dramatists Guild of America  http://www.ariannarose.net

Interested but not available?

If you are interested but don't have availability for that day and times, please email me at rockawayrose@gmail.com and I'll compile a list for another section or future course.

One-on-One Private Dramaturgy

If you prefer one-on-one coaching, I have been a member of the Dramaturg and Literary Managers Association of the Americas (LMDA) for the past three years and have helped many writers with their work. I specialize in short plays. More information here: http://ariannarose.net/dramaturg-for-hire

The Gulfport Community Players Summer 2025 One-Acts

Website

Deadline: March 15, 2025

or first 500 scripts (whichever comes first)

THEY HAVE REACHED THEIR 500 script limit - DO NOT SEND.

The Gulfport Community Players is accepting submissions for the Summer 2025 One-Acts. Established in July 2000, the Summer One-Acts is the longest-running one-act competition in the Tampa Bay Area. We accept submissions from authors who reside in the United States of America. We read all plays that are correctly submitted. Entries are judged anonymously.

Running time 5 to 15 minutes maximum

• New and never produced in Tampa Bay Florida area
• No adaptations, children's plays, monologues, or musicals
• Family-friendly, no nudity or foul language
• Appropriate for adults 50+
• No plays with multiple children or teens required
• Cast size 6 maximum
• Simple staging, set pieces, and costumes
• You can submit up to three plays
• Scripts should be written for stage not for film or digital recording
• No entry fees.

SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY ONLY:: include a cover page with author's contact information, telephone, mailing address and email. Refrain from including a resume.
Attach a SEPARATE PDF of the play and eliminate any author information from all script pages. Include the number of characters, character breakdown, and synopsis of the play on the first page.

Do not send any plays via US mail. They will be disqualifed.
Stipend of $50 will be paid for any one act that we produce
All applicants will be notified of decisions by April 15, 2025
Plays will be presented July 10-20 at the Hickman Theater of Gulfport
Audience members vote for their favorites
Awards are presented in August 2025

Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge

Website

Deadline:  January 31, 2025

SUBMISSION FORM

ELIGIBILITY & GUIDELINES

Who can Participate in the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge? 

High School Students from all 50 States, Washington D.C. and U.S. territories are eligible.

Entry RequirementsEach Participant can submit one original composition tailored for a musical theater production. The full musical does not need to be written, but the student will be asked to justify the song as a storytelling moment as part of the larger hypothetical work.

Collaborative entries (up to three Writers) are accepted, but all members of the team must meet the age and schooling requirements.

Limit of one solo entry and one collaborative entry per Participant.

Entries must be the wholly original work of the entrant(s) and should not infringe on any copyrights or any other rights of third parties.

General Guidelines

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) advocate for creativity, originality and artistic expression. Any form of plagiarism will lead to disqualification.

What’s Not AllowedRemixes or covers of existing work.
New works that sample or include stems/tracks from existing work.
Adaptations of popular movies, books, TV shows and other pre-existing media.
Songs promoting hate, discrimination or any form of offensive content.Photo Credit: Rebecca J Michelson

SUBMISSION PROCESS & TIMELINE

The Songwriting Challenge has a two-part submission process. Draft 1 submissions will receive feedback only. Feedback will be provided to all Participants to foster growth and development. After receiving responses from industry professionals, students may then revise their submission for the Draft 2 competitive round. Students must submit a Draft 1 entry and incorporate that feedback in Draft 2 in order to be eligible for the Winners Weekend in NYC.
Draft 1 Submission

Key Dates: Open August 1, 2024 | Close January 31, 2025
Submit the first draft of your song in the Draft 1 submission round. Draft 1 submissions will receive feedback only.

Receive Feedback
Once submitted, experts from the musical theatre industry will listen to your song and provide constructive feedback. All songs will be reviewed 4-5x.
Participants who submit to Draft 1 will be eligible to submit a second draft incorporating feedback.

Draft 2 Submission
Key Dates: Open March 14, 2025 | Close April 11, 2025

After revising your song, Participants may submit to Draft 2 to be entered into the competitive round and considered for the NYC Winners Weekend & Mentorship prize.
Students must have submitted Draft 1 by the posted due date in order to be eligible to participate in Draft 2.

Competitive Evaluation
This round, our entire panel of NAMT Members, Educators, Alumni Artists and more will evaluate your song’s potential, originality and overall quality.
Students are not required to submit for the Draft 2 Round, but only songs that have been submitted to Draft 1, incorporated feedback, and resubmitted to Draft 2 will be considered for the Winners Weekend.
Winners Weekend
Key Dates: June 13-17, 2025 for selected Songwriting Challenge winners

Selected Winners will be invited to NYC for Winners Weekend, where their Winning Songs will debut in a concert performed by Broadway talent!