Howdy, Playwrights!  Here’s a list of 29 play submission opportunities with May 2020 deadlines. This is just a taste of all the opportunities in our full list — if you subscribe to our service as a full member, you will get immediate access to all 48 opps with May 2020 deadlines, plus the rest of our list of 400+ opportunities currently accepting play submissions!

Note: What’s written below is just a quick rundown of what the theaters are looking for. For complete submission guidelines, please go to their websites by clicking the theater’s name.

NameLengthNature of OpportunityDeadlineLocationAdd’l Info
A Light in Dark Places5-15 pagesThe plays must explore the themes of suicide prevention and mental health conditions with a focus on community, connection, hope, resources and healing.5/1/20Los Angeles, CaliforniaFee: $20
Prize: $75
Actors’ Playhousemax 8 minsMonologues/stories either in 1st person or storytelling form. No multi-character plays. Theme: “COVID-19 Pandemic.” Must be original, unpublished, unproduced. Playwrights/creative writing aficionados residing in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. *Playwrights must perform their own works, or find a replacement actor to perform their work.5/1/20Coral Gables, Floridan/a
Aurand Harris Memorial Playwriting AwardFull LengthPlays for young audiences. Must be unpublished and not have been previously produced by a professional or Equity company.5/1/20Hamden, Connecticutn/a
Feels Blind LiteraryOne Act
(max 20 pages)
New and emerging writers who identify as women. Submissions must be previously unpublished, original works. Must pass the Bechdel Test.5/1/20n/an/a
Fogliftermax 20 pagesLGBTQ+ writers. Accepts drama submissions. Must be unpublished.5/1/20n/a$25 honorarium
National Black TheatreFull Length18-month residency. Black playwrights only. A stipend will be provided.5/1/20NYCn/a
SPARK Creative WorksOne Act
(10-20 mins)
Pieces must be ORIGINAL but can be previously produced. Women writers only. Must fit one or more of the following criteria: features a strong female lead; features a predominately female cast OR; addresses a topic important to women that is rarely touched. Writers in the Long Island/NYC area will be considered first, though out-of-state submissions will be accepted.5/3/20NYCn/a
Cutting Ball TheaterFull LengthSeeking unproduced and unpublished experimental plays. Opp for a week-long developmental workshop that will culminate in one public reading.5/8/20San Francisco, CaliforniaFee: $5
The Chameleon Theatre CircleAny lengthOriginal works, unproduced. Workshops and other readings are ok. All styles and genres ok.5/8/20Burnsville, MinnesotaNo Fee
Prize: $25-100
Weathervane Playhousemax 10 minsThe play must include a take out container — a prop that must be incorporated into the play. It must be seen on stage. No characters under the age of 16. Must be unproduced anywhere and un-performed outside of readings or workshops.5/8/20Akron, OhioFee: $10
Prize: $350
Austin Film FestivalFull LengthFull-length plays, original or adapted.5/15/20Austin, TexasFee: $30
Carlo Annoni International Playwriting PrizeAny lengthPlays on any topic affecting the LGBTQ+ community, and the promotion of diversity in love, society, politics and culture.5/15/20ItalyNo Fee
Prize: € 1000
National Alliance for Musical Theatre15 mins15-min musical or 15 min of a new full-length project. It can be about anything and everything. Must be written after March 19, 2020. Int’l submissions ok.5/15/20NYC“cash prize”
Playing on Air10-25 pagesComedic play. Must be original, unpublished and unproduced. Special consideration will be given to the script’s suitability for audio recording and public radio broadcast.5/15/20NYCFee: $5
Prize: $6,000
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Theatre Nerd Podcast10 minsPlays that can easily be translated to a podcast style. Any genre and content. Must be unpublished. Previous productions ok. Offers a one-time royalty payment of $30.5/15/20n/an/a
Theater for The New CityAny lengthPrefers works that have gone unproduced in NYC, but will consider an updated version of previously produced NYC production. Theme: “Dream Up: Invent, Concoct.”5/17/20NYCFee: $30, $40
Book Pipeline Adaptation ContestFull LengthPlays for film and television adaptation. Any genre. Must have been published and/or produced. Applicants outside the US are welcome.5/20/20Santa Monica, CaliforniaFee: $55
Prize: $10,000
WordWave One-Act Play CompetitionOne Act
(max 60 mins)
Plays must be written within the last five years. Drama or comedy.5/22/20South Lake Tahoe, CaliforniaFee: $25
Prize: $500
Marion Thauer Brown Audio Drama Scriptwriting Competitionmax 30 minsAll genres considered. The script should be “family friendly.”5/28/20n/aNo Fee
Prize: $250
Headlands Center for the ArtsFull LengthFully sponsored residencies of four to ten weeks. Apps from playwrights accepted.5/29/20Sausalito, CaliforniaApp Fee: $25
Emerald Theatre Company10 minsTheme: “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.” An empty photo or picture frame of any size must be incorporated into the script. Must be original and never before produced.5/30/20Memphis, TennesseeFee: $10
“cash prizes”
Golden Thread Productions10-30 minsPlays by playwrights of Middle Eastern heritage on any topic OR plays about the Middle East by playwrights of any ethnic background.5/30/20San Francisco, Californian/a
Playhouse on the SquareFull LengthOriginal, unproduced or unpublished plays or musicals.5/30/20Memphis, TennesseeFee: $15
Prize: $750
A is For Playwriting ContestOne Act
(max 60 mins)
Plays about Reproductive Justice, including (but not limited to) the topic of abortion.5/31/20NYCPrize: $5,000
Seoul Playersmax 10 minsScripts selected will have two or three performances in Seoul, Korea.5/31/20KoreaFee: $5 or 5,000 won
The Q Collectivemax 15 minsThe play should be based on a fairy tale, myth, legend, or classic literature. Previously produced but unpublished works and well-developed works in progress are welcome.5/31/20St. Louis, Missouri$50 stipend
FORGE Fuel“sample”Writers retreat. Open to writers of all kinds, including playwrights.Year RoundDanbury, ConnecticutFee: $80
Playwrights Offering Free FeedbackFull LengthFull-length trade program. You must read a play and give feedback, and in return will have an opp to send a play and get feedback from other playwright.Year Roundn/an/a
Trade A Play Tuesday10 minsSend in 10-min play and get same-day feedback. You must also read 10 pages of another playwright’s work, and give thoughtful feedback. Runs every Tuesday.Year Roundn/an/a
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