1.
Bushwick Starr
Deadline: May 15th
We are thrilled to announce that we are accepting submissions for our 2015-16 Starr Reading Series. Submissions will be accepted through May 15th. Please review our submission guidelines before submitting.
The Starr Reading Series is a way for us to expand our community while we celebrate and explore the plays of the city's most exciting playwrights. In four Seasons, we have featured the work of a diverse group of writers at all stages of their careers who are approaching writing for the theater in thrilling and unexpected ways. We are proud to continue to offer this ongoing series to our audiences FREE of charge!
If you would like to submit a script for consideration, please DOWNLOAD THE GUIDELINES, then send your materials to SRS@thebushwickstarr.org by Midnight May 15th 2015. Chosen playwrights will receive a small stipend to support their project. We will announce the 2015-16 Series participants in late August.
2.
Soho Writer/Director Lab
Deadline: May 31st
The Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab was founded in 1998 to explore and develop the work of a new generation of theater artists and to foster new collaborations between writers and directors in the beginning stages of the creative process. Writers and directors must apply separately. At the start of the lab, writers and directors are paired up with a partner. Over the course of the eight months, the writers will write a first draft of a brand new play. Go to website for more details on submission.
Participation includes attendance at all lab meetings and readings during the 2015/16 cycle. The lab meets approximately every other week to discuss the plays. In the spring, each play is given a public reading at Soho Rep, directed by the director paired with the play.
Eligibility Writers and directors must be able to attend all lab meetings and readings at Soho Rep in New York City during the 2015/16 cycle. They may not be full-time students at the start of the lab. Past participants of the lab are not eligible to apply.
3.
Playwrights Realm Writing Fellowship
Deadline: May 10th
website: http://www.playwrightsrealm.org/fellow-app
The Writing Fellows Program is at the heart of what we do—helping writers be writers. Four early-career playwrights will receive nine months of resources, workshops and feedback designed to help them reach their professional and artistic goals. Over the course of the season, Fellows develop a single new play. Monthly group meetings provide a collaborative, energizing setting for writers to share and refine their work. Individual meetings with the Realm’s Artistic Director, Associate Producer, and Writing Fellows Dramaturg support each writer’s specific artistic process.
Fellows work with a director and cast over the course of two workshops to see their work come to life. Professional development resources are also an integral part of the program and are tailored to the individual Writing Fellows. Mentor opportunities, meet-and-greets, and professional workshops are designed to shed light on the often opaque business of theatre, and empower the Fellows to be active, informed participants in their own careers. The Writing Fellows season culminates in a public reading of each fellowship play as part of our INK’D Festival of New Plays.
What We're Looking For
Above all, we look for dedicated early-career writers who crave a long-term, rigorous development process. We value intellectual curiosity, imagination and bravery. We love plays with evocative language, plays that contemplate big, unanswerable questions, plays that embrace the complexity of life, and demonstrate an understanding of the possibilities of dramatic storytelling.
Writing Fellows Receive...
$2,500 Award
A monthly Writers Group
Internal workshop
Professional Development Opportunities
A public reading in our INK'D Festival
Access to all our resources: borrow our wi-fi, camp out in our conference room, use our stickies
The occasional hug
Program Criteria
• Playwrights must be able to attend meetings and workshops in New York City on a twice-monthly basis from September 2015 through May 2016.
• Playwrights should identify as early-career. Those who have completed an MFA program are eligible, but not those who will be enrolled during the residency.
• Plays to be considered for the fellowship should be complete drafts at a stage of development that would benefit from a nine-month rewriting and reading process. Plays should have no commitments to other theaters that will limit their development with The Playwrights Realm.
• Plays that have already been through a similar development process, or have had a production outside of an academic environment, are not eligible.
• We are not looking for solo performance projects at this time.
Writing Fellows Application Components
• Theatrical résumé listing all academic credentials and professional productions
• Full draft of the play that you wish to develop as a Playwrights Realm Writing Fellow in PDF format.
• A list of three references with contact information, or a signed letter of recommendation from a teacher or theater professional (optional).
To apply, send the above materials to: writingfellows@playwrightsrealm.org. The script must be submitted in PDF format with your name and the play title on a cover page. All applications must be submitted electronically before May 10th, 2015, 11:59PM EST. Finalists for the program will be interviewed in late summer and final selections will be announced in September.
4.
NEWvember Festival
deadline: June 15th
website: http://newvemberfestival.com/submit/
Inaugurated in 2011 as a co-production of Tangent Theatre Tivoli and AboutFACE Ireland,
NEWvember is a festival of rehearsed readings of new plays that takes place over four days at the Carpenter Shop Theatre in the historic village of Tivoli in upstate New York.
CRITERIA FOR SUBMISSIONS
-submitted plays should be previously unproduced (we will consider plays that have had
readings before but are still in development)
-plays should not have previously been submitted to the NEWvember Festival
-plays should have a cast size of 2-8
-plays should have a running time of 30 to 120 minutes
-we will only accept one submission per writer
-we ask that the writers of the chosen plays attend the reading of their play towards its further development and to be present for a post-reading Q&A with the audience. We will provide $50 towards travel for those traveling more than 50 miles (the equivalent of a return Amtrak trip from NYC to Rhinecliff) as well as local accommodation in Tivoli
there is no fee for submissions while we are open to all styles and subjects, our companies do have a preference for narrative and character driven stories
5.
Arch and Bruce Playwriting Competition
deadline: May 30th
website: http://aabbfoundation.org
The Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation will accept submissions for its 2015 Playwriting Competition between March 1 and May 30th. Electronic submissions must be received by midnight and mailed manuscripts must be postmarked by the deadline.
All works submitted (full–length dramas, comedies, musicals) must be original and in English. All works must present lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender life in a positive manner and be based on, or directly inspired by, a historical person, culture, work of art or event.
There is no entry fee. Prizes are as follows: First Prize, $3,000; Second Prize, $1,500; Honorable Mentions, $500. Prizewinners will be announced before the end of the year.
For complete submission guidelines, visit the foundation’s website: aabbfoundation.org, or write to Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation, P.O. Box 26124, Brooklyn, NY 11202.
Production Grants
The foundation also offers grants to production companies to offset expenses in producing theatrical works (plays, musicals, operas, choral works, orchestral works with text) and film or video. All works must be based on, or inspired by, history and present LGBT life in a positive manner.
Proposals may be submitted throughout the year. For complete details and proposal submission guidelines, visit the foundation’s website: aabbfoundation.org, or write to Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation, P.O. Box 26124, Brooklyn, NY 11202.
6.
Showbiz Shorts
Deadline: May 19th
website: http://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/2423
Wanted: 8 minute plays about ShowBiz ( comedy,we hope) for SHOWBIZ SHORTS at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
We prefer snail mail but...scripts pdf, can be emailed after 16th May.
Scribbler Theatre
" showbiz shorts "
PO Box 291460 Los Angeles Ca 90029.
7.
Vilcek Foundation
Deadline: June 15
Vilcek Foundation is seeking applicants for the 2016 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Theatre. We are accepting applications from young, foreign-born theatre professionals age 38 and under from now throughJune 15, 2015. Eligible applicants include playwright, director, actor, designer, book writer, composer, lyricist, and choreographer. Three winners will each receive a $50,000 unrestricted cash prize and will be honored at an awards ceremony in New York City in April 2016.
As a fellow grantmaker in the arts, I believe that there may be many potential candidates for the prizes among your network of artists at Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation. I hope that you will join us in sharing the call for applications with your colleagues, friends, and theatre professionals who might be interested in the 2016 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Theatre.
Complete eligibility requirements and online application can be found on Vilcek.org. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach me at (212) 472-2500 or via email.
8.
12 Peers Theatre
Deadline: June 15th
website: http://www.12peerstheater.org/
12 Peers Theater is accepting unsolicited submissions of new full-length plays to be recorded and released monthly on a podcast about and featuring new plays. In an effort to maximize exposure for playwrights and assist them in securing full productions, 12 Peers Theater will record and release readings of new plays to be aired on our 12 Peers Podcast throughout late 2015 and 2016.
We understand that there are many forms of theatrical storytelling, but here are a few guidelines that will help you determine if your play is right for us. We will not consider plays that have had a full production elsewhere. We will only accept full-length plays, no one-acts, collections of one-acts, or musicals. Due to recording limitations, plays should be able to be performed with no more than 6 actors (doubling permitted) As a company we are drawn to plays with themes of social and cultural identity, plays that are politically, socially, and ethically relevant, and plays with mythic themes. We are also drawn to plays with a clear sense of dramatic action, an excellent use of language, and a creative use of theatrical resources.
If you would like to submit please send your play, a brief synopsis, and a biography to Matt Henderson, 12 Peers Theater’s Literary Manager, at mhenderson@12peerstheater.org by June 15th, 2015.
9.
Kevin Spacey Foundation Artists of Choice
deadline: May 29th
website: http://www.kevinspaceyfoundation.org/grants/how-to-apply-2/
KSF Artists of Choice are open to US and UK based artists who are forging a career in the arts with an exciting, innovative idea for: a play, a musical, a dance piece, a choir, a band or a short film. KSF Artists of Choice will receive a grant of up to £10,000 or $10,000 if based in the USA as well as mentoring from a high level industry professional and year round support from KSF.
We are now OPEN to receive applications from May 01 – May 29, 2015. Apply via: http://www.kevinspaceyfoundation.org/grants/how-to-apply/application-form/
Shortlisted applicants for KSF Artists of Choice will be invited to present their project idea to a panel of industry professionals on the following dates:
UK-based artists | London, Week of 8 June
US-based artists | New York City, Week of 15 June
10.
Metlife Nuestras Voces
Deadline: June 1st
Since 2000 MetLife Foundation and Repertorio Español joined forces to establish The MetLife Nuestras Voces National Playwriting Competition to discover -our voices- the best Latino plays and bring them to the attention to the American theatre community. These original works relate to Latino culture, history and life in the United States while at the same time reflecting the universality of the human condition. It has been our privilege to promote and develop new plays and encourage bright new talent by providing this forum.
*PLEASE READ CAREFULLY*
Plays that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.
- Playwrights may be Latino or of any other ethnic or racial background as long
as the play’s subject matter and characters resonate with Latino audiences and
accurately depict the Hispanic experience.
- No screenplays, one act plays, musicals, adaptations or translations will be
accepted.
- New and un-produced plays preferred. Plays that have had readings or a
workshop production are acceptable.
- All plays must be original and full-length (minimum running time: 1 hr., 30
min) and can be written in Spanish and/or English.
- Playwrights must be at least 18 years of age and residents of the United States or
Puerto Rico.
- Previously submitted scripts are accepted unless they have already placed in
the top 10.
- Each script will be read by two qualified independent judges selected by Repertorio
Español, on a blind submission.
- Winners will be announced six to seven months after the deadline.
- Each participant will be notified of the results by e-mail. We request that participants
do not contact the office to inquire about the competition’s results.
-Grand Prize Winner: $3,000 and a full production at Repertorio Español
-2nd Place: $2,000
-3rd Place: $1,000
SUBMISSION
Email Your full name
*Your phone number
*Your cell phone number
*Your mailing address (street address, city, state, zipcode)
*How did you hear about the competition?
*Title of play
*4-6 line synopsis
*4 -6 line description of how your play relates to the Latino / Hispanic American community
Send the following as an attachment:
o One ELECTRONIC COPY of your script
(PDF, Microsoft Word, Plain or Rich Text Formats Accepted)
o The ELECTRONIC COPY of the script must have numbered pages and a title page that lists the
title and year the play was written ONLY.
o Please OMIT your name from the script
Do not send other biographical information or reviews
Unfortunately, we cannot accept changes or re-submissions once the script has been submitted.
11.
Capital Rep Theatre’s New Play Summit
deadline: June 1st
website: http://capitalrep.org/next-act-new-play-summit/next-act-play-submissons
Submissions are now being accepted for Capital Repertory Theatre’s Fourth Annual NEXT ACT! New Play Summit. Accepting full length plays only.
Now in its fourth year, the weekend long NEXT ACT! New Play Summit 4 is designed to complement the Upper Hudson Valley’s rich diverse populations. The festival directly reflects the theatre’s mission, “to create meaningful theatre generated from an authentic link to the community.” NEXT ACT! takes place October 31 - November 2, 2015 and will feature readings of four never-before produced plays, with additional special events throughout the weekend.
As in years past, the theatre is devoted to finding a play that can be produced in an upcoming season. Evidence of this devotion can be found in theREP’s 2014 production of THE GOD GAME by Suzanne Bradbeer, the 2015 production of HOW WATER BEHAVES by Sherry Kramer, and next season’s production of NAKED INFLUENCE by Suzanne Bradbeer, all of which started at NEXT ACT!.
ELIGIBILITY
-Plays cannot have been previously produced, though previous readings are allowed.
-No more than 7 characters. Please do not submit works in which actors play multiple roles, unless it is a device used to illuminate generations.
-Plays previously submitted to NEXT ACT! will not be considered for this years’ Summit.
-Agent and non-agent submissions accepted.
Submission Deadline: END OF DAY – Monday June 1, 2015
12.
Warner International Playwrights Festival
deadline: June 1st
website: http://www.warnertheatre.org
The Warner International Playwrights Festival recognizes the work of emerging and established playwrights from across the country and around the globe. The Festival gives playwrights a forum for production of their one-act plays that engage and entertain audiences through exploration of the human experience and the human spirit.
Please read submission policy carefully:
We invite playwrights to submit plays via electronic script submissions, in standard Samuel French playwriting format - 12 point font, character name centered or 3.5 inches from left margin, 1” margin all around.
Plays should be emailed to: charlene@charleneadonaghy.com
Submitted plays should be one-act plays of no less than 12 and no more than 30 pages long, not including your cover page.
Submissions will be limited to the first 200 scripts received.
Scripts will be accepted internationally but must be written in English.
Previously produced scripts are accepted.
There is no submission fee.
Please remove all playwright identification from the script including name, mailing address and telephone/fax/e-mail.
In the body of the email include:
· Script Name
· Playwright Name
· Playwright Email
· Playwright Telephone Number
· Playwright postal mailing address.
Please do not send a synopsis or playwright resume.
Only one submission per playwright will be accepted. Scripts will not be returned.
If your play is selected, you will be notified, via email, of the readers’ selection on/about August 1.
Selected scripts will receive minimal-set (table, 4 chairs, 2 cubes), minimal-tech production (lights up, lights down, 2 sound cues) production. Please be sure your play will adhere to these parameters.
Selected playwrights are invited to attend the festival by their own means. Accommodation recommendations are available.
To be considered for the Warner International Playwrights Festival scripts must be RECEIVED by 11:50pm Eastern Standard Time on June 1;
late entries will not be read.
For additional information, contact Charlene Donaghy charlene@charleneadonaghy.com
13.
St. Louis LGBT Fetival of Short Plays
Deadline: June 15th
website: https://thatuppitytheatrecompany.submittable.com/submit
It's that time of year again, and we are opening short play submissions for our fifth annual Briefs: A Festival of Short LGBT Plays, which will be held in Spring 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. The festival is well attended and received and usually gets excellent coverage.
We are looking for plays that are 8-12 minutes in length, have two to five characters and that can be done with simple staging/props (we only use cubes for the set and minimal props), and that are LGBT themed. You can read all about last year's festival on our website, at http://www.uppityco.com/briefs4.html.
In the past few years, we have gotten a lot of pieces about coming out and also on marriage equality. We would prefer to get pieces based around other concerns unless the piece is really special or offers a new perspective. LGBT characters or themes must be central to the piece, and we are especially interested in reading plays that explore the experiences of LGBT people of color, trans experience, youth and seniors. Comedy is a plus.
We worked with a dramaturg this year and it was a very successful addition to the festival, especially for work that has not yet been produced or that might have needed additional attention. Do let us know if you would be open to using his services if we suggest it.
Please do not send us pieces you have sent before as we keep previous submissions on file, if you are unsure, email Becky at becky_galambos@sbcglobal.net and ask before submitting.
Deadline for submission is June 15, 2015.
To submit, please click HERE. You will need to include the following in the cover letter or attached- 100 word bio of the playwright, a short synopsis of your play, production history if applicable (or note that there is not one) and full contact info including email, home address, and cell phone, if there is another number you are reachable at, include that too. There are extra upload spaces available if you would like to send a headshot, photo or promotional material from a production or other attachment you think we might find of interest.
Due to our small staff and the volume of material we receive, once we confirm that the submission is received and accepted, we will only contact you if we have questions or want to do your work. We can't wait to start reading all of your wonderful submissions! If you have any questions, email our submissions manager Becky at becky_galambos@sbcglobal.net.
