Are you a budding playwright with a passion for storytelling? Look no further! The year 2024 offers exciting opportunities for emerging playwrights to showcase their talent and compete for recognition. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just dipping your toes into the world of playwriting, these competitions provide a platform to share your creativity and connect with theater enthusiasts worldwide.
1. BroadWorld Musical Theatre Song Contest
- Deadline: April 21, 2024
- Description: If you have a flair for musical theater, this contest invites submissions of original songs. Showcase your lyrical prowess and musical storytelling.
2. Soapbox Stageworks Women’s Series
- Deadline: April 15, 2024
- Description: Calling all female playwrights! This series celebrates women’s voices in theater. Submit your thought-provoking plays that resonate with contemporary issues.
3. Kaplan New Playwrights/New Plays Competition
- Deadline: April 15, 2024
- Description: Are you breaking new ground in playwriting? This competition seeks fresh, innovative works from emerging playwrights.
4. 2024 One Act Playwriting Contest
- Deadline: March 31, 2024
- Description: Craft a compelling one-act play that captivates audiences. Short, powerful narratives are the focus here.
5. Brewster Theater Company Playwright Festival – 2024
- Deadline: May 1, 2024
- Description: The festival celebrates original plays. If you have a unique story to tell, submit your work for consideration.
6. Carlo Annoni Playwriting Prize
- Deadline: April 30, 2024
- Description: This prize recognizes outstanding playwriting. Dive into themes that resonate with the human experience.
7. National Playwriting Competition
- Deadline: November 1–April 19, 2024
- Description: A longer submission window allows you to refine your masterpiece. Explore diverse genres and perspectives.
8. StageWorks Annual One Act Jamboree
- Deadline: March 8th, 2024
- Description: Showcase your talent in bite-sized theatrical gems. One-act plays are a canvas for creativity.
9. TheatreWorks New Milford 10 Minute Play Competition/Festival
- Deadline: March 30, 2024
- Description: Can you tell a compelling story in just 10 minutes? This festival celebrates concise, impactful writing.
10. Manhattan Rep’s Play Production Program
- Ongoing Opportunity
- Description: If you’re looking for continuous exposure, consider submitting your plays to Manhattan Rep. Their play production program offers a chance to see your work come to life.
11. The Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival
- Deadline: March 15, 2024
- Description: This festival celebrates short plays (10–30 minutes) and provides a platform for emerging playwrights to connect with industry professionals.
12. The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Conference
- Deadline: February 28, 2024
- Description: Known for nurturing new voices, this conference offers selected playwrights the chance to develop their work through workshops and readings.
13. The Papatango New Writing Prize
- Deadline: April 30, 2024
- Description: Open to UK residents, this prize seeks original, full-length plays. The winner receives a production of their play.
14. The Playwrights’ Center Core Writer Program
- Ongoing Opportunity
- Description: If you’re looking for mentorship and support, consider applying to become a Core Writer at The Playwrights’ Center. They offer resources, workshops, and networking opportunities.
15. The BBC Writersroom Drama Script Room
- Deadline: March 31, 2024
- Description: Calling all UK-based writers! Submit your drama scripts to the BBC Writersroom for a chance to be commissioned by the BBC.
16. The Susan Glaspell Writers & Critics Series
- Deadline: May 1, 2024
- Description: This series focuses on women playwrights. Submit your plays that explore diverse themes and perspectives.
17. The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Ten-Minute Play Festival
- Deadline: Varies by region
- Description: If you’re a college student in the US, check out KCACTF’s ten-minute play festival. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work on a national stage.
18. The Royal Court Theatre’s International Playwrights’ Group
- Ongoing Opportunity
- Description: The Royal Court Theatre in London hosts an international group of playwrights. If you’re interested in global collaboration, this could be a great fit.
19. The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC)
- Deadline: April 1, 2024
- Description: While not exclusively for playwrights, FringeNYC welcomes original, boundary-pushing works. It’s a vibrant festival with a diverse audience.
20. The Lark Play Development Center’s Open Access Program
- Ongoing Opportunity
- Description: The Lark offers resources, workshops, and readings for playwrights. Their open access program is a valuable resource for script development.
Here are some frequently asked questions about playwriting competitions:
- How do I find playwriting competitions?
- You can discover playwriting competitions through various channels:
- Check theater organizations’ websites.
- Follow industry news and blogs.
- Join playwright forums and communities.
- Subscribe to newsletters that highlight upcoming opportunities.
- You can discover playwriting competitions through various channels:
- What should I consider before submitting my play?
- Before submitting, keep these points in mind:
- Read the guidelines thoroughly.
- Revise and polish your script.
- Consider the theme or focus of each competition.
- Tailor your submission to fit the specific contest.
- Before submitting, keep these points in mind:
- Can I submit the same play to multiple competitions?
- Generally, yes. However, ensure that each contest allows simultaneous submissions. Some may have exclusivity requirements.
- What makes a winning play?
- Winning plays often exhibit:
- Originality
- Strong characters
- Engaging dialogue
- Unique perspectives
- Emotional impact
- Winning plays often exhibit:
- How do I handle rejection?
- Â Rejections are part of the process. Use them as motivation to improve. Keep submitting and learning from feedback.
- Should I submit an unfinished play?
- It’s best to submit a polished, complete work. Judges appreciate well-crafted scripts.
- Can I submit plays in languages other than English?
- Some competitions accept non-English submissions. Check the guidelines for language requirements.
-  What if I’m a first-time playwright?
- Many contests welcome new voices. Don’t hesitate to submit; everyone starts somewhere.