Calling all playwrights! The Theatre Workshop of Owensboro is now accepting submissions for its highly anticipated Summer Shorts one-act play festival, an opportunity for storytellers everywhere to bring their original works to life on stage.
Lisa Mingus-Tulls, president of the organization’s board of directors, said Summer Shorts is unique in that all selected plays are brand-new, never-before-seen works. The festival provides a platform for both aspiring and experienced playwrights, as well as opportunities for those new to directing or acting.
“This is an incredible opportunity for anyone who has ever thought about writing a play,” Mingus-Tulls said. “We encourage people to check out our submission guidelines and send in their work.”
Submissions will be accepted through March 3. Playwrights may submit up to two original one-act play scripts in PDF format to [email protected] with the subject line “SUMMER SHORTS SCRIPTS.” The submission fee is $20 per script. Each script must be submitted in a separate PDF file with a separate cover sheet containing the playwright’s name and contact information. The manuscript itself should not include the playwright’s name to ensure a blind review process.
A panel of volunteer readers will review the entries and score them using a uniform numeric scale. The six to eight highest-scoring plays will be selected for production, with the final decision expected by late April or early May. The chosen plays will then be cast and rehearsed before being performed over two weekends in July.
Guidelines require scripts to be written in standard play script format, have a maximum of 20 pages, feature no more than five characters, and have a duration of 10 to 12 minutes. Scripts must have never been produced, and AI-generated material will not be accepted.
To submit payment, visit theatreworkshop.org/tickets and click “Buy tickets.” Payment can also be made by calling the Theatre Workshop of Owensboro’s Box Office at 270-683-5333.
This year, the festival is increasing its prize amounts, with $1,000 awarded to the best play as determined by the reading committee and $500 for the audience’s favorite selection.
Summer Shorts has been a staple of Owensboro’s arts scene for decades. Launched in the 1990s at the RiverPark Center, the festival initially featured licensed works from professional playwrights. After a hiatus, the Theatre Workshop revived the festival in the late 2000s with a focus on original works, aiming to support new voices in theater.
“This festival allows us to present brand-new works, something that can be difficult for community theaters due to financial constraints,” Mingus-Tulls said. “It also serves as a recruitment tool, giving new actors and directors a chance to participate in shorter productions that require less time commitment than main stage shows.”
Last year’s competition saw 80 submissions, and organizers anticipate a similar or larger turnout this year.
Summer Shorts performances will take place over two weekends in July, with exact dates to be announced soon.
For more information or to submit a play, visit theatreworkshop.org or call 270-683-5333 during office hours, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
