NYTheater Festival Spring/Summer 2026

NO SUBMISSION FEE

NO PARTICIPATION FEE

Theater Festival & Competition

SUBMIT TO THE MOST EXCITING THEATER FESTIVAL!

$8,000 in prizes

No financial plan required — just a chance to showcase your work, no strings attached. Can’t mount your production? No problem!

Fast response: receive an answer within 4–5 days of submission

Extensive set support: access our collection of 90 set props and pieces of furniture—no more relying on a few rehearsal blocks and random tables. Plus, no need to park your set transport truck in a tricky spot near the theater; avoid fines or towing while performing. No swapping props in and out before or after your show.

4K, 4-camera video recording available for future promotion or archival purposes

Take your production to the next level—submit now and join the festival where creativity has shined for 25 seasons!

25th Season

The New York Theater Festival Competition for Plays and Musicals

Prizes Total: $8,000

First Prize: $3,500

Full-Lengths | One Acts | Shorts | Solos

Producing your play or musical is one of the best ways to review and develop your work. There is no charge for submitting, and every submission receives a response within 5 days.

Prizes & Categories

The Festival offers up to $8,000 in prizes, with $3,500 awarded for the best play or musical. Our winners are selected by the Festival's team/judges, so it’s not a "popularity contest" based on audience size. Sometimes, smaller productions with limited budgets win first prize simply because they were excellent. We value sincere, heartfelt performances and authentic writing.

Prize categories include:

• Best Production: $3,500
• Best Play/Musical or Short: $500
• Most Creative Play/Musical: $500
• Best Director: $500
• Best Actor (2 awards): $500 each
• Best Actress (2 awards): $500 each
• Best Singer: $500
• Best Musical Score: $300
• Best Choreography: $300

Video Recordings Available

After your production, you can receive a 4K video recording of your show. The Festival uses four cameras to capture your performance from multiple angles, giving you a variety of shots to edit into a cohesive video. Central camera, Central zoomins, Right and Left. You’ll have access to raw footage which can be used without editing. This footage can serve as valuable marketing material and reel content for industry professionals. Plus, your friends and family can purchase Zoom tickets to watch your show from anywhere in the world!

Why Stage Your Work at NYTheater Festival?

This is a unique opportunity to have industry professionals see your production in person. Many industry insiders receive thousands of scripts each month and are far more likely to attend a live show than read an unsolicited script. By staging your work, you show that you’re serious about your production's potential to succeed.

We’re with you every step of the way:

• From tech rehearsals through closing performance
• We provide support to help you choose from over 90 set pieces and props
• Our user-friendly audio, lighting, and video systems come with a quick 3-minute tutorial
• Our team is always available to answer questions and offer guidance throughout your run

A Full Range of Festival Support

• Prime Performance Slots: We ensure you have a prime time slot for your performance, with ample setup time before each show.
• • 
    
    
• Set & Props: We offer 90 set pieces free of charge, with plenty of backstage storage.
• Lighting & Sound: Use a full lighting plot with 65 lights and a 16x12’ projector. Our system is designed to be easy for anyone to use, even with no prior tech experience.

How We Advertise Your Show

We don’t just post a thumbnail and brief description. We create detailed posts with large posters and descriptions to showcase your show. You can easily share this with your network. In addition, all cast and crew receive free tickets to attend other productions in the Festival.

A Quality Venue

The Festival provides a professional venue with:

• 99 seats
• 30’x18’ stage, large backstage area, and a spacious dressing room
• Storage for all your props and costumes

Award Ceremony

At the end of the Festival, we host an Award Ceremony to celebrate your achievements, similar to the Oscars, in front of your artistic peers. This is an unforgettable moment to honor your talent and success.

Submit Your Production Now!

To submit to the Festival, visit NY Theater Festival Submissions. We only accept submissions from playwrights and composers who live within 30 miles of Manhattan.

In 14 years and 25 seasons, the NY Theater Festival has successfully hosted 1,600 plays and 400 musicals, awarding cash prizes to over 400 artists. Yours could be next!