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picture of a young woman writer

The next great short play could be from you...

You have until June 30, 2023
to submit your script.

The 2024 Festival will open on January 19, 2024.

SuBMISSIONS
for the 2024
international short play Contest
ARe Now OPEN!

Since 1995, playwrights from around the world have submitted their scripts to Actors’ Theatre, in the hopes that their piece might be one of those selected to become a full-fledged production at the 8 Tens @ 8 Festival.

 

Submissions are accepted beginning November 15, but must meet the summer deadline of June 30 to be considered for the 8 Tens @ 8 Festival produced the following January.

 

A panel of judges consisting of local writers, directors, actors and theater enthusiasts selects the top 16 plays, which are then assigned to directors and rehearsed for several months before premiering in front of sold-out audiences at the annual 8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival.

Submission Rules & FAQs

 

  • Submissions for the 2024 Festival open November 15, 2022. Submissions close June 30, 2023.

  • Plays submitted for the festival may not have had a full production at another venue. A staged reading or workshop production is fine, but please don't submit work that has been previously produced. 

  • Submissions must be 10 pages or fewer, in 12-point font, written in standard play format.

  • No more than three (3) entries per playwright – send us only your best!

  • Entry fee of $10 per play. This covers our copying and administrative costs.

  • Submissions may be sent via e-mail or snail mail.

    • Email Submissions: must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format, as an attachment to your email to: sccactorstheatre@gmail.com. Submissions fees can be paid via PayPal online HERE.

    • Postal Mail Submissions: Please send two copies of your play to SC Actors' Theatre, PO Box 7084, Santa Cruz, CA 95061. Submissions fees can be sent via check or money order.

  • All submissions should include:

    1. A separate cover page with play's title, author's name, address, phone, email, and short bio of the writer.

    2. A "blind" copy of the play that does not have any identifying information about the author. 

    3. Entry fee of $10 per play

  • Entries fees are waived for young writers (under 18 years of age) or incarcerated writers.

  • Submissions will be judged with the identity of the writers withheld.

  • All ten-minute play submissions are subject to the above contest rules.

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What happens if my play is selected?

  • If your play is selected you will be notified by early fall, most likely late-August or early-September.

  • Winning playwrights will receive a fully-staged, 5-week run of their play during the 8 Tens @ 8 Festival.

  • Playwrights who are able to attend will receive two complimentary tickets to the performance of their choice.

  • A video recording of the Festival will be sent to the winners via private weblink to download for personal use.

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