Submission venues for short plays
If you’ve written your first one-act play, the next question is deceptively simple: where should you submit it?
For new playwrights, the answer isn’t necessarily the most famous theater or the biggest competition. The best starting points are venues that regularly accept short plays, clearly explain their submission requirements, and give emerging writers a realistic opportunity to get their work read, staged, or recognized.
Here are the main places to look.
1. One-Act Play Festivals
Festivals are one of the most natural homes for short plays. Many programs are specifically designed around one-act or short-form works, which means your play isn’t competing against full-length scripts simply because of its length.
Look for community, regional, university, and independent theater festivals. These can also provide valuable production experience and, potentially, a performance credit.
2. Playwriting Contests
Contests can be particularly useful for first-time playwrights because they often accept submissions from writers without professional credits.
Search for competitions specifically mentioning one-act plays, short plays, emerging playwrights, or new writers. Before submitting, check whether the contest offers a cash prize, staged reading, production, publication, or feedback—“winning” can mean more than receiving a trophy.
3. Community and Small Theater Companies
Don’t overlook smaller theaters. A local or regional company may be more accessible to an emerging playwright than a major institution.
Look for companies producing evenings of short plays, new-play showcases, staged readings, or festivals. Their submission pages can also reveal exactly what kinds of scripts they want.
4. University Theater Programs
Colleges and universities frequently produce student-directed showcases, festivals, and new-play events. Some accept scripts from outside writers, while others are primarily opportunities for student playwrights.
Even when you aren't eligible to submit, studying their programs can help you discover the types of short plays being produced.
How to Submit Strategically
Don’t send the same submission everywhere. Read the guidelines first. Check length limits, cast requirements, formatting rules, themes, and whether simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Keep your cover letter short, your script professionally formatted, and your expectations realistic. Rejection is normal—even for good plays.
Most importantly, build a submission list rather than waiting for one “perfect” opportunity. Resources such as the Play Submissions Helper can help you think systematically about where your play might fit.
For a first-time playwright, the goal isn't simply to find the most prestigious venue. It's to find the right-fit opportunities that actually welcome short plays and emerging writers.