Understand Submission Policies
Yes—but not nearly as often as playwrights might hope.
Some theaters accept unsolicited plays year-round. Others open submissions only during specific windows, accept scripts through festivals or development programs, or require playwrights to make contact before sending anything. And plenty of major theaters simply don't accept unsolicited scripts at all.
The important lesson is this: never assume a theater accepts submissions just because it produces new plays.
» What “unsolicited” actually means
An unsolicited submission is essentially a play you send to a theater without the theater having specifically requested it from you.
Submission policies vary considerably. For example, Canada's Young People's Theatre accepts unsolicited scripts on an ongoing basis, while the Royal Shakespeare Company in the U.K. says it does not accept unsolicited scripts.
There's also a middle ground. Canada's Great Canadian Theatre Company asks playwrights to contact its artistic director before sending a script; only writers whose proposals interest the theater are invited to submit an excerpt.
So “Does this theater accept plays?” isn't quite the right question. Ask instead: “What is this theater's current submission route?”
» How to find theaters accepting submissions
Start with the theater's official website. Look for pages titled “Submissions,” “Playwrights,” “New Work,” “Literary,” “Artists,” or “Opportunities.”
Then check for:
- Whether unsolicited scripts are accepted
- Submission windows and deadlines
- Eligibility requirements
- Full script versus sample pages
- Accepted genres and formats
- Whether you need to be a resident or member
- How the theater responds to submissions
Policies can change, so always verify the current guidelines immediately before submitting.
For example, Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago accepts unsolicited submissions from unrepresented writers, but only during a designated submission window. For 2026, writers can submit a 10-page sample during its August 10–24 window. Outside that process, full scripts are generally accepted from literary agents and theater professionals with existing relationships.
You can also use resources such as Play Submissions Helper to discover opportunities, then visit the theater or producing organization's own site to confirm the current rules.
» Don't take a “no unsolicited scripts” policy personally
A closed submission policy doesn't necessarily mean a theater isn't interested in new playwrights. The Royal Shakespeare Company, for example, says it discovers writers by monitoring new work across the U.K. and invites playwrights to readings, workshops, and performances.
That's why the smartest submission strategy isn't simply sending your play everywhere.
Find the theaters that actually want submissions, follow their instructions carefully, and target the opportunities where your play genuinely fits.