Playwriting Competitions in 2024: Opportunities

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

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Can I submit the same play to multiple competitions?
    • Generally, yes. However, ensure that each contest allows simultaneous submissions. Some may have exclusivity requirements.
  4. What makes a winning play?
    • Winning plays often exhibit:
      • Originality
      • Strong characters
      • Engaging dialogue
      • Unique perspectives
      • Emotional impact
  5. How do I handle rejection?
    •  Rejections are part of the process. Use them as motivation to improve. Keep submitting and learning from feedback.
  6. Should I submit an unfinished play?
    • It’s best to submit a polished, complete work. Judges appreciate well-crafted scripts.
  7. Can I submit plays in languages other than English?
    • Some competitions accept non-English submissions. Check the guidelines for language requirements.
  8.  What if I’m a first-time playwright?
    • Many contests welcome new voices. Don’t hesitate to submit; everyone starts somewhere.

 

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