SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

For your short play to be considered, please complete this form with the following materials:

Photo/Resume and/or Artistic Bio (1 page PDF file)

1 PDF file including the following:

- Artist’s Statement: explanation of your play and its meaning, in your own words (100 words).

- Character Breakdown: list of characters and useful descriptors to help Directors with casting. Please note: OUT/PLAY is an equal-opportunity organization, and while we understand some scripts require demographic specificity, we appreciate work that can be performed outside restrictions of age, sex, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, body-type, and ability.

- Script: should not exceed 12 pages (excluding the title page and character breakdown). Format the document with 1-inch margins, font Times New Roman (or equivalent), font size 12pt. When read out loud (including stage directions) the play should not exceed 15 minutes in length. Plays that do not meet this guideline will not be considered.

Plays should be original, unpublished, and never before produced. This can be new work specifically for this festival or pulled from your archives.

Scripts should be frozen by its 1st rehearsal, with minimal changes made during the rehearsal process.

Playwrights must be residents of New York City area and available for the kick off meeting and the duration of the festival (see dates below).

If a Playwright has specific people in mind for Directors and/or Actors, please inform us below.

Playwrights, Directors, and Actors will be expected to promote the festival via social media and personal networks. Each play will be given a discount code for online ticket purchases.

Submissions are being accepted on a rolling basis between March 13 - April 1, 2026.

Playwrights will be contacted in mid-April 2026, with formal selections announced on May 1, 2026.

OUT/PLAY SUMMER SHORTS FESTIVAL OFFERINGS

- Assignment of a Director to each short play (or a pairing of your choice, as indicated in field below).

- 1 Dress/Tech Rehearsal and 3 live performances between June 8-14, 2026 at The Chain Theatre (located at 312 West 36th Street, Floor 4, New York, NY 10018).

- Video footage of 1 performance provided to the Playwright and Director.

- Programs will be live streamed, 1 night each.

- Each production will get 1 tech rehearsal (Date TBD) in the theatre during the week of the festival.

- OUT/PLAY producers are available to support in casting and promotion via photos and video assets, social media, invitations to our mailing list, and a formal press release to theater and media contacts.

- OUT/PLAY will offer 2 complimentary tickets per play to Industry Professionals—names and emails must be provided to OUT/PLAY by the Director of the play.

Any questions should be directed to [email protected].