Festival@First 14:
Call for Scripts

Submission Guidelines

Our reading committee will be looking for quality plays by new or established local playwrights (residing within New England) that will draw the broadest possible audience while creating a vibrant evening of theatre. Ideally, Each chosen play will have its own director and cast. All casting will be done through general auditions in May 2024. Playwrights will not be considered for our reading committee.

Our submission criteria are as follows:

• Plays should be 10 minutes or less.

• Cast size should be 2-5 actors. 

• Theatre@First embraces diversity. Writers are encouraged to include roles for actors across a wide spectrum of race, gender expression, religion, age, body type, and ability. In addition, plays will be read through by our sensitivity committee with the intention of choosing plays that reflect Theatre@First’s values of inclusion, anti-racism, and tolerance.

• No improvisational or dance-focused pieces will be considered.

• New and previously performed plays are welcome.

• Published plays are permitted, provided the playwright holds the rights.

• Plays must be royalty-free; payment will not be offered for the purchase of rights. Playwrights of selected plays will receive two free tickets to any performance.

• Playwright must reside within New England

• The Festival is performed on a simple stage with minimum prop, set, and costume requirements, and our space has a basic repertory lighting plot. Scripts with significant technical demands may be rejected.

• Submissions are limited to two per person. Please send each script in a separate email.

• Scripts will be read blindly by our committee to ensure fair considerations for all playwrights. 

• Playwrights will not be considered for participation on our reading committee.

The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2026. This will be strictly upheld.