Chapter 14
Where to Submit Your Ten-Minute Play
There are literally hundreds of theaters that are looking for ten-minute plays for festivals. Many are very well-known theater companies, and others are community theaters, amateur theater companies, local church groups, etc. Then, too, there are hundreds of ten-minute playwriting competitions, many offering substantial prizes. It seems each year more and more theaters and contests are appearing on playwriting Web sites. If you start researching you’ll find a plethora of possibilities for that new ten-minute play you worked so hard on. But you must be proactive and submit your little gem.
Be systematic and keep accurate records of where and when you submitted your play. You might keep a folder, as I do, entitled “Ten-Minute Play Submissions.” In that folder you should include for each submission:
• The name, address, and/or Web site of the theater company
• The name of the specific person you contacted, if any
• The name of the play(s) you submitted
• If it was a contest, the name of the competition, and the prize offered
• When the company stated their results would be decided
• A record of any prizes or honors you won with your submission (including finalist standing)
What follows is just a sampling of theater companies and contests that accept ten-minute plays. I could list many more, but I have space limitations in this book. The list is made up of places I’ve had personal dealings with, as well as those I’ve heard about through friends who recommend them.
Always check to make sure any listing’s information is accurate, as there may be changes from year to year.
Some of these play submission requirements come directly from the theaters’ Web sites; others in response to my inquiries. You’ll notice that some of the submission guidelines are detailed, while others basically just say, send your play along.
Boston Playwright’s Theater
Attn: Boston Theater Marathon
949 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
617-353-5443
Submission Guidelines:
• To submit your ten-minute play for this competition, you must be a permanent resident of New England.
• All scripts must play under ten minutes.
• Please use a 10-point font or larger.
• No more than two submissions per author.
• Minimal sets and props suggested.
• There are no restrictions on subject matter.
• Scripts must be typewritten in accepted playwriting format (the theater refers authors to the Samuel French Formatting Guide, available at www.samuelfrench.com/submissions, the essentials of which are covered in Chapter 5 of this book).
• You must submit three copies of each script. Please put the title on the first page of each copy, but no author name.
• Please only staple the top left on each copy. All other covers, ring bindings, etc. will be removed.
• Submit a single separate information page for each play that you enter. On the separate page include the title of the play, the playwright’s name, the address (including e-mail address), and your phone numbers.
• Please do not staple the information page to your scripts.
• Scripts will not be returned.
• Send your scripts and information to the above address.
Celebration Theatre
Mailing address:
7895 Santa Monica Boulevard, #109-1
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Physical address:
7051 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-957-1884
Celebration Theatre looks for innovative, provocative, relevant work that examines the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer experience. Their mission statement is to endeavor to challenge society’s perception of the GLBT community and to give a vibrant voice to its evolving identity.
Submission Guidelines:
• Download and complete the submission packet at www.celebrationtheatre.com/Celebration-Theatre-Script-Submission.pdf.
• Submit the packet to the mailing address above, including
◊ A bound copy of the script
◊ A character breakdown
◊ A cover letter
◊ A self-addressed stamped envelope, if you desire the return of your submission packet.
Theatre Oxford Ten-Minute Play Contest
PO Box 1394
Oxford, MS 38655
Submission Guidelines:
• Only original plays, never before produced, are eligible.
• The play, exclusive of title and cast pages, may be no more than ten pages.
• The play should have two to four characters and minimal props and costumes.
• Assemble script as follows:
◊ Two copies of the play.
◊ Optional cover letter.
◊ A title page with the play’s title, author’s name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. This is the only place that the author’s name should appear.
◊ The second page should contain a cast of characters and time and place information.
◊ The third page will be the first page of the script. The other pages of the play follow.
◊ Every page should include the name of the play and page number.
• The play, exclusive of title and cast pages, may be no more than ten pages.
• Staple or paper-clip the play. Do not use binders or folders of any kind.
• Authors may submit multiple plays, but each play submitted must be accompanied by the submission of an entry fee.
• There is an entry fee of $10. Make check out to Theatre Oxford. The fee must accompany each entry.
• Mail entries to the address above. Plays cannot be returned. Enclose a SASP if you want assurance that your play was received.
• Only the five finalists will be notified of judging results. All plays are judged blind.
• Five finalists will be chosen. The Grand Prize Winner will receive the L. W. Thomas Award of $1,000 and a production of the winning script.
• All authors agree to permit Theatre Oxford to produce their contest entry play if the theater should wish to do so. Authors retain copyright and full ownership of their plays.
Chicago Dramatists
1105 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
312-633-0630
Submission Guidelines:
• Playwrights may submit no more than one piece to each workshop.
• Submissions must be ten pages or less.
• Standard 12-point font size, pages numbered.
• Plays should not contain more than six characters.
• No musicals, binding, staples, faxes, or e-mailed submissions are accepted, and submissions will not be returned.
• A submitting playwright must include his or her day and evening phone numbers and a character list with ages.
• Submission rules and deadlines are announced in the theater’s quarterly flyers and on its Web site.
Actors Theatre of Louisville
National Ten-Minute Play Contest
316 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202-4218
502-584-1265
Certainly one of the most famous ten-minute play contests is held at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. Their New Play Program encompasses the Humana Festival of New American Plays, the National Ten-Minute Play Contest, and ongoing contact with more than 200 playwrights. Approximately 2,000 scripts are received annually for consideration in the New Play Program. Nearly 75,000 scripts have been submitted since 1976.
Beginning in 2011, they redirected the focus of the contest toward the primary production opportunity for ten-minute plays at Actors Theatre: the Apprentice/Intern Tens. An annual event that takes place in January, the A/I Tens consist of a bill of eight to ten world premiere ten-minute plays, fully produced in Actors’ Victor Jory Theatre and performed by their Apprentice Company of young actors.
As a result of this refocusing and their individual programming needs, Actors Theatre of Louisville and City Theatre of Miami will no longer cosponsor the National Ten-Minute Play Contest, though each theater will separately continue its commitment to finding and producing excellent ten-minute plays, and getting to know the work of writers around the country. Playwrights who wish to submit a ten-minute play to be considered for City Theatre’s Summer Shorts Festival should visit www.citytheatre.com for more information.
Submission Guidelines:
• Characters in submitted plays should be 18 to 28 years of age.
• Submissions will be limited to the first 500 scripts received each year: scripts will only be accepted during a focused submission window between September 1 and November 1.
• Contestants whose plays are received within this time frame but after the 500-script mark will be notified.
• Entries will be acknowledged by postcard in December. Playwrights will be notified of their finalist or non-finalist status the following summer.
• Each playwright may submit only one script.
• Electronic submissions are not accepted.
• No scripts will be returned.
• Each script must be no more than ten pages long (not including the title page and character list).
• Previously submitted plays, plays that have received an Equity production, musicals, children’s shows, and any unsolicited longer one-act or full-length plays are not accepted and will not be returned or acknowledged. Plays that have received Equity waiver showcase productions are eligible.
• Each manuscript must be typed and individually bound or stapled. The title page must include the playwright’s name, address, phone number and e-mail address.
• All ten-minute plays will be considered for the Heideman Award ($1000) and production in the Apprentice/Intern Tens, an annual event in the winter.
• Playwrights must be citizens or permanent residents of the USA.
Plays should be no longer than 15 minutes. Please send no more than three scripts, and do not resubmit scripts that you have sent in the past. You can e-mail your script and précis to QueerShorts@stageq.com. They have a strong preference for receiving scripts electronically, but if that’s not possible, you may send them via snail mail to the address above.
Submission Guidelines:
Please include a one-page précis, including:
• One-paragraph description of the plot.
• Casting requirements (number of actors, gender, ages, special requirements, if any).
• Set requirements (since this is a playfest with 10–12 plays in one evening; simple is better!).
• Running time (no more than 15 minutes!).
• Special technical requirements, if any.
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is there lesbian, gay or other queer content?
• Is there nudity? Adult language?
• If a musical, is there a written score?
• If a musical, what are the instrumental requirements? Vocal requirements?
The festival acknowledges all scripts received and generally notifies winners by early April. Plays are performed at the Bartell Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin.
Drama Ministry is looking for scripts that can be used in worship services to focus the attention of worshipers on specific themes or life issues that the pastor can then address in the sermon or message that follows.
Submission Guidelines:
• Please be sure to have your script formatted according to our script style sheet (see Web site).
• Sketches should be from four to seven minutes long and use one to six characters.
• Include a statement of purpose, time requirements, list of characters, prop list, and any unusual sound or light requirements.
• Scripts should be sensitive to the un-churched. Avoid Christian-club jargon and insider church terminology.
• Must have broad appeal to both evangelical and mainline audiences.
• Most of our scripts are not obviously religious in nature. Rather, they pose human situations that can be addressed from the pulpit following the sketch.
• No elaborate staging or costumes.
• Problems should be identified without sarcasm or overly critical tones (hope-based vs. critique-based). We do not want scripts that scold the audience or try to shame the viewers. Scripts that ridicule the hypocrisy of Christians are not for us.
• Avoid didactic lines. Specifically, avoid making “less spiritual” characters mere foils who present questions and/or problems for “more spiritual” characters to resolve as “teachers. ”
• We prefer everyday situations to extreme situations.
• Avoid predictable endings: we prefer a conclusion that is unexpected but still a reasonable extension of the theme of the sketch.
• Put your name and address on your script.
• Please note that your submission will not be returned.
Turtle Shell Productions: 8-Minute Madness Playwright Festival
300 W. 43rd Street #403
New York, NY 10036
Turtle Shell Productions accepts eight- to ten-minute plays for their festival. The selected plays, which will be presented in two groups of 11, will be directed by carefully selected directors, performed by New York actors, and mounted by a team of experienced set, lighting, sound, and costume designers.
The 11 plays in Group A will be performed by adult actors (though a child actor may be included, if needed). The 11 plays in Group B will be performed by young actors (ages 9–17) as part of a separate presentation on an alternate night. At the end of the run, the recipients of the Best Playwright and Best Performance awards will receive the 8-Minute Madness Playwright Festival Trophies at the Artist Celebration Awards Ceremonies.
Submission Guidelines:
• The front cover should include the play’s title and the playwright’s name, address, phone number, and email address.
• Include a page with the character breakdown.
• Script pages should be numbered and the text presented in an acceptable format.
• If you would like to be notified that your script has been received, include a self-addressed stamped postcard.
• Plays must be ten minutes or less in duration. Be prepared to shorten them if necessary.
• There is no fee for submitting your play(s).
• Plays that have been produced under an “Equity Code” are acceptable but must be identified on the application with the dates of production. We are also accept plays that have been produced before or have had a reading.
• Each playwright may submit up to two plays. (Please note on the application which is your first submission and which is your second.)
• Please include your application with play submission.
• No electronic submissions.
• If you have any questions, please contact the Festival Selection Committee at 8minute@turtleshellproductions.com.
Heartland Theater Company Ten-Minute Play Festival
PO Box 1833
Bloomington, IL 61702-1833
309-452-8709
Heartland Theatre Company is seeking original plays to be considered for production as part of their annual ten-minute play festival. Please see their website for the yearly theme.
Submission Guidelines:
• Submit entries electronically in Microsoft Word, formatted following their style sheet (see website).
• Plays must be new. Please do not send anything that has previously been produced.
• Please use no more than four characters and no fewer than two.
• Please make sure that your characters can be played by actors between the ages of 18 and 70.
• Your play should consist mainly of dialogue. Ten-minute monologues will not be accepted.
• No children’s plays, musicals, or plays previously staged by Heartland Theatre will be considered.
• Do not put your name on the play itself, as all submissions are judged blind.
• Make sure the title of the play appears on every page of the play.
• Only one entry per playwright.
• Your play must be written in English.
• All entrants must complete and submit the Heartland Theatre Ten-Minute Play Festival Entry Form in order to submit a play.
NYCPlaywrights Short Plays
The theme for the plays changes yearly, so contact them directly.
Submission Guidelines:
• Send only one ten-minute play per author to info@nycplaywrights.org.
• Attach your script to your submission e-mail in Microsoft Word or as a pdf.
• The script can be no longer than ten pages (not including title page, setting info page, etc.).
• The script should be in standard playscript format. If you are not sure what that is, see this page on the NYCPlaywrights Web site: nycp.blogspot.com/p/playscript-formatting-template.html.
• Plays that are not in standard format, or that have more than ten pages (not counting title page, etc.), will be rejected immediately.
• Make sure you have your name and your e-mail address on the title page of the script.
• Plays can be from anybody, anywhere in the world, but must be primarily in English (a few non-English phrases are acceptable, but the phrases must include English translations in production notes or stage directions.)
• There is no fee for submission and no payment given for the plays selected. Do not send a submission if you are expecting monetary compensation.
• The NYCPlaywrights selection decision is final and NYCPlaywrights reserves the right to select no plays from those submitted.
• The play must have been written by the person making the submission.
• The play can have had a previous production but cannot have been published.
• All rights will remain with the playwright.
• The selected play will be videotaped as a reading during an NYCPlaywrights meeting and posted shortly after, during the month of November.
• The video recording of the play reading will be posted to the NYCPlaywrights YouTube account and from there embedded into the NYCPlaywrights blog. The embedded section may be an excerpt of the play reading rather than the entire reading. The playwright will be asked to review the video recording and approve it before it is made public.
• The play must reflect the month’s theme in some meaningful way.
• The readings that are recorded are actual script-in-hand readings, not productions. To get an idea of what to expect for the final product, see the page on the NYCPlaywrights Web site with samples of past readings of Plays of the Month: nycp.blogspot.com/p/play-of-month.html.
Newburgh Free Academy Drama Department
201 Fullerton Avenue
Newburgh, NY 12550
The Newburgh Free Academy is an at-risk high school located in Hudson Valley, New York. The students will be in charge of reading, acting, designing, directing, and producing chosen work.
Submission Guidelines:
• Plays must be ten minutes or less.
• Playwrights may submit up to two plays only.
• Plays must be unpublished.
• Plays that have had productions, workshops, or readings are allowed.
• No electronic submissions.
• Send to the attention of Terry Sandler at the address above.
• There is no submission fee, although there is a suggested donation of $1.00 per play. Make checks out to Newburgh Enlarged City Schools. The money will be used for the drama club account to buy props and other supplies for the festival.
Stone Soup Theatre
c/o Double (XX) Fest
4035 Stone Way N.
Seattle, WA 98103
203-633-1883
Stone Soup Theatre is seeking one-act plays 3–25 minutes in length, original and unpublished (though they may have been previously produced), with minimal set, costumes, and characters, and particularly ten-minute shorts written by women. If you are interested in and capable of putting together the production as well (finding directors, actors, and/or costume and props resources), please include this information in your cover letter.
Submission Guidelines:
• One submission per playwright only.
• E-mail submissions preferred: playfestival@stonesouptheatre.org.
• If you must submit by snail mail, please use the address above.
• Include a separate cover containing contact information, mailing address, phone number, and a brief description of authorial intent.
• The cover page should include the play title, author’s name, character list/description, gender breakdown, genre, and a brief description of the play.
• All mentions of author’s name /contact must be removed from the body of the play.
• Submissions, both electronic and snail mail, must include (incomplete or incorrect submissions will be disqualified).
• There is no fee, but donations are welcome.
Salve Regina Theatre Arts Program
Salve Regina University
100 Ochre Point Avenue
Newport, RI 02840-4192
401-847-6650
Salve Regina University Theatre Arts program seeks submissions of ten-minute plays and full-length play scripts for their weeklong festival. The play committee will choose 8–12 plays for performance during the festival with the audience favorite receiving a cash prize. One play will be chosen for a workshop production in the Casino Theatre. A short rehearsal process will take place prior to the festival and the winning playwright will be encouraged to attend and make edits.
Submission Guidelines:
• Mail a copy of your script to the Theatre Arts program at Salve Regina University.
• There is no submission fee.
• Playwrights should submit work that has not been previously produced; however, plays that have received readings will be accepted.
• The ten-minute play category is open to all playwrights and all genres of scripts.
• You can submit your ten-minute plays electronically to https://salvetheatreplayfestival.submittable.com/submit.
Trinity Church Playwrights Competition
74 Trinity Place, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
212-602-0800
Trinity Church Arts Committee is seeking unproduced and unpublished one-act plays of no longer than 30 pages. The first-prize winner will receive $500 and earn a reading of his or her play. The second-place winner will receive $200 and the third-place winner will receive $100.
Submission Guidelines:
• There is no entry fee.
• The play must be submitted via e-mail in Microsoft Word format to ArtsCommittee@trinitywallstreet.org.
• Only one submission per playwright.
The Fine Arts Association
38660 Mentor Avenue
Willoughby, OH 44094
440-951-7500
The Fine Arts Association is looking for original, never-published ten-minute plays. Those chosen will be fully produced as part of their Annual One Act Festival.
Submission Guidelines:
• Submissions must be original, unpublished, and unproduced ten-minute plays at time of submission.
• Plays that have had staged readings will be accepted.
• Plays that have received full productions, either professional or amateur, previous to submission will not be accepted.
• Legal clearance of materials not in the public domain is the full responsibility of the playwright.
• There is no limit to the number of plays submitted by each playwright.
• Maximum length: ten pages, not including title pages.
• Scripts may be comedy or drama. Musicals are not eligible.
• Set and technical requirements must be minimal: only standard furniture and minimal props will be available for the production.
• Plays must be typed/word-processed with pages numbered and include a cover page with the following contact information: your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and a brief biography.
Mail submissions to the address above. Submissions must be securely bound with a cover page with full contact information (see above). If you mail your script and would like it returned, include an SASE with your submission.
Submissions may be e-mailed to ahedger@fineartsassociation.org and should include a separate page with full contact information. Preferred document format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or pdf files.
Towne Street Theatre Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival
Towne Street Theatre
4101 Budlong Avenue #4
Los Angeles, CA 90037
213-712-6944
Towne Street Theatre is LA’s premiere African American theater company. The festival will take place during Black History Month, at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood. Each year there is a different theme, so check their website for information.
Submission Guidelines:
• All genres are welcome: comedy, drama, satire, etc.
• Plays can be historical, contemporary, or futuristic, with color-blind and/or multiracial casts.
• Playwrights of all ethnicities and ages are encouraged to submit their work.
• There is no processing fee, but please do not submit more than one play.
• Please make sure your play is only ten minutes in length.
Longwood Ten-Minute Play Festival
English Department
Longwood University
201 High Street
Farmville, VA 23909
434-395-2000
Longwood University is open to any theme, style, and approach. Playwrights are invited to submit a maximum of one script. All winners, as well as one honorable mention, will receive publication with One Act Play Depot. One Act Play Depot will hold non-exclusive rights to the work (meaning playwrights are free to publish their work elsewhere at any time). Please note that anyone affiliated with Longwood University—students, former students, employees and their families—is ineligible for this competition.
Submission Guidelines:
• Scripts should run no longer than ten minutes.
• Stapled copies are fine.
• Set and technical requirements should be minimal.
• Each script must include the author’s contact information on its cover page.
• There is no fee to enter.
• Please send plays (hard copies only) to the address above.
Salem Theater Company Moments of Play Ten-Minute Play Festival
90 Lafayette Street
PO Box 306
Salem, MA 01970
978-790-8546
Salem Theater Company is looking for pieces that are culturally diverse, original, fun, and relevant. Playwrights whose plays are chosen for production will receive a $10 royalty for each of the five performances given ($50 total).
Submission Guidelines:
• Playwrights may submit up to two plays.
• Plays must be no more than ten minutes in length and have no more than four characters.
• All plays must be submitted electronically in pdf format to mop@salemtheatre.com.
• Plays received via post office will be unable to be considered and will not be returned.
Universal Theatre
PO Box 1818
Provincetown, MA 02657
Universal Theatre is seeking ten-minute plays (no more than ten pages), preferably with no more than three characters. Also seeking monologues (no more than four pages).
Submission Guidelines:
• No more than two submissions per playwright.
• Please do not resubmit plays already submitted.
• Please no SASE.
• No binders, covers, boxes, bells & bows, etc. Simply use a staple or paper clip to contain scripts.
• No press or bios. The work will speak for itself.
• Submit to the address above.
Unity Stage Company in Queens, New York, seeks short plays (5 to 25 minutes in length) on the theme of Christmas for their Figgy Pudding Play Festival.
Submission Guidelines:
• Please submit a short play with the following qualities:
◊ Unsentimental dialogue
◊ Unique, well-drawn characters
◊ Surprising plot twist(s)
◊ Funny/edgy
◊ New insights into the significance of this holiday and its “trimmings”
◊ Must be unpublished but may have had a prior production
• There is no limit on the number of plays submitted per playwright.
• Please e-mail your script to us at unitystagecompany@gmail.com.
InspiraTO Playwriting Contest
Each year the InspiraTO Festival accepts ten-minute play submissions based on a theme. If selected, your play will be performed in Toronto, Canada. Between 10 and 18 ten-minute plays will be selected and performed. 1st Prize: $500 CDN.
Should your play be selected for inclusion in the festival, you are giving the non-exclusive right to Theatre InspiraTO to produce and perform the play in the Seventh Annual InspiraTO Festival. The InspiraTO Festival will find the cast and crew and market your play.
Submission Guidelines:
• We accept previously produced plays.
• Any style is acceptable except musicals.
• Submissions are open to everyone without age and geographic restriction.
• Play must not be shorter than eight minutes and not longer than ten minutes.
• There is no submission fee.
• You may only enter ONE play (so make it count).
• To submit your play, view this year’s themes and fill out the submission form at http://www.inspiratofestival.ca/write-a-play.php.
• Attach your script in a Word document or in a pdf file. The Word document must be compatible with Window XP. (Note: Vista and Mac formats are not compatible.)
• The cover page should have the title of the play, the playwright’s name, and the list of characters.
• The pages should be numbered.
Publishers of Ten-Minute Plays
Playscripts, Inc.
450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 809
New York, NY 10123
866-639-7529
Electronic submissions are strongly preferred. While Playscripts does publish and license musicals, the limitations of time and staff prevent them from accepting unsolicited musical submissions. They do not accept screenplays.
They request that you send a query letter and synopsis of your play. They’ll get back to you in a few weeks.
Before you submit your work to Heuer, familiarize yourself with their market and follow the guidelines listed on their Web site. Due to the large volume of submissions that they receive daily, please limit your submissions to three at any given time.
Brooklyn Publishers LLC
Submissions:
Brooklyn Publishers
Attn: Editor
5213 New Orleans Drive
Odessa, TX 79762
Physical address:
211 First Avenue SE, Suite 200
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Toll Free: 1-888-473-8521
Brooklyn publishes plays and theater books for teens and youth, specializing in scripts that are clean yet have a cutting-edge quality. The range of genres they publish is broad and includes comedy, drama, mystery, fantasy, farce, and melodrama.
Submission Guidelines:
• Authors are encouraged to send submissions via the publisher’s Web site, by clicking on Submit a Play in the Author’s Corner on the left border.
• You may also submit a play by e-mail with attachment at editor@brookpub.com or by snail-mail with a complete manuscript to the Texas address above.
• When you submit a play, please include the following:
◊ Short synopsis of the work
◊ The play’s genre, duration, and cast size
◊ Character list
◊ Production history (if any; not required)
◊ Short bio of the playwright
◊ Contact information, including e-mail address, phone number, and mailing address
• Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat are the preferred text processing programs; however, if you use another program please use Rich Text Format (rtf).