Terrence McNally New Works Incubator
Rattlestick Theater
DEADLINE: November 21, 2025 at 11:59pm ET (or when 500 applications have been received)
INFO: Applications are now open for the Terrence McNally New Works Incubator Cycle 4!
As a continuation of Terrence McNally’s singular legacy of mentorship, and his commitment to fostering bold new voices in the American theater, the initiative is designed to support ambitious early-career playwrights by giving them time and space to develop their work, professional mentorship with veteran playwrights, and access to the community of artists and work being developed at Rattlestick and Tom Kirdahy Productions.
As part of our growing commitment to connect our fellows with world-class artistic collaborators, each McNally Fellow will also receive a developmental workshop that culminates in a public reading featuring industry-leading professionals.
Each application is thoughtfully reviewed by a broad reader pool of industry professionals. Semi-finalists and finalists are selected through two rounds of consideration. Finalists are granted an interview with a selection panel, including representatives from Rattlestick and Tom Kirdahy Productions. In consultation with the Playwrights Advisory Council, three playwrights will be awarded the Fellowship in April of 2026.
ELIGIBILITY: The Incubator is designed for early-career playwrights, which is a term that can apply to a person of any age and with any background, lived experience, or professional history; there is no one path to becoming a playwright. The following eligibility criteria are based on the organizations’ desire to provide the fullest, deepest new play development process and professional opportunity as possible. If your application does not meet these criteria, you will be automatically disqualified. If you have any questions about if you meet these requirements, please contact tmincubator@rattlestick.org.
An eligible Terrence McNally Incubator Fellow:
Is the sole author of their submitted play. Co-created and co-authored material is not accepted, and will be disqualified.
Will not be a full time student or enrolled in a degree granting program as of May/June 2026.
Must be committed to actively participating in the New York City playwriting and theater ecosystem. This is a competitive opportunity that is designed to further playwrights’ networks specifically in the New York City theater industry. Why? The Terrence McNally New Works Incubator Fellowship is funded by the Terrence McNally Foundation, with the explicit goal of supporting emerging writers working in the New York City theater ecosystem, as Terrence was himself.
To that end, all Terrence McNally Incubator Fellows must live in New York City for the full duration of the fellowship (August 2026 - September 2026), and during the full scope of the 2026 - 2027 Rattlestick Theater season for events and fellowship gatherings. If you are currently located outside of the New York City area, you must be prepared to be a New York City local for the full duration of the fellowship year, and, ideally, strive to put down roots as a New York-based artist after the fellowship has concluded. Housing and transportation are not provided.
Must be available to commit to significant, full time development of your play for a 4-week period sometime during August/September of 2026 in NYC. Specific dates will be determined in consultation with selected fellows. All 29-hour workshop rehearsals and presentations will take place during regular weekday daytime hours and some weekend daytime hours.
Must be actively pursuing a career in theater in NYC, as evidenced by past productions at regional theaters, past productions off-off-Broadway, a history of self-producing, and/or graduate studies.
Must not have had more than one significant Broadway or off-Broadway premiere as a playwright, book writer, or author of a piece of theater.
What defines Broadway?
Broadway theater consists of the theatrical performances presented in 41 professional theaters, each with 500 or more seats, in the Theater District and Lincoln Center along Broadway, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
What defines off-Broadway?
An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. Here is a list that includes, but is not limited to, off-Broadway venues in New York City.
What defines a significant premiere?
A premiere is the debut (first public presentation) of a fully produced work. Readings and workshops do not qualify as premieres.
An eligible Terrence McNally Incubator play:
Is complete.
We are looking for plays that are complete and would benefit from a development process involving professional-level actors and a director. The play does not need to be production-ready, but must be in a further stage than a first draft.
Is a full-length play.
A full-length play generally runs at least 45 minutes.
Is not a musical, opera, or play with more than 40% original musical composition.
Why? Terrence McNally was a lover of music and music played a large role in his work, however, this specific opportunity is about playwriting. While music is one form of theatrical language that you may wish to use, we look forward to hearing the music of your dialogue. If you are planning to apply with a play that includes some music, please be aware that only text submissions are allowed. We do not accept or consider any audio files, videos, or links to external websites. Currently the Incubator workshops do not have the resources to support musicians, music directors, or any music development.
Has not been previously produced for an audience and/or is not optioned to be fully produced by any other theater, university, or commercial entity. Workshops and readings do not qualify.
rattlestick.org/terrence-mcnally-new-works-incubator
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Theater of Change
Broadway Advocacy Coalition / Columbia Law School
DEADLINE TO APPLY: November 30, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
INFO: Theater of Change is a 5 day workshop co-taught by Broadway Advocacy Coalition and Columbia Law School. The workshop empowers artists to blend art, law, and community engagement for social change.
Artist participants collaborate with law students and community advocates to create performances aimed at sustainable impact. The workshop prioritizes leadership from those directly impacted by incarceration in policy-making. Its goals extend beyond idea exchange, aiming to build enduring partnerships for transformative work.
This year’s workshop will include partnerships with the HALT Solitary Campaign to address the harmful impacts of solitary confinement and explore alternative solutions, as well as with the Inheritance Theater Project to examine ongoing gentrification and displacement in Hoboken and their effects on affordable housing.
Participants will be compensated $700 for their participation in the workshop. In accordance with Columbia Law School policy, all participants must be fully vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19 in order to attend in person.
ELIGIBILITY: Applications for The Theater of Change are open to New York-based directors, performers, playwrights, dramaturgs, and composers who are interested in using their artistry for social change.
Questions may be directed to info@theaterofchange.org.
theaterofchange.org/application/
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Call for 2026 Submissions:
International Black Theatre Festival
DEADLINE: November 30, 2025
INFO: The International Black Theatre Festival (IBTF) celebrates the power, diversity, and brilliance of Black theatre from around the world. IBTF invites theatre companies, independent artists, and cultural organizations to submit their work for consideration for the 2026 festival, July 27 to August 1, in Winston-Salem, NC.
The festival showcases a range of performances, including plays, musicals, spoken word, and experimental theatre that center Black stories and voices.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Who Can Submit: Professional and emerging theatre companies, independent artists, and cultural organizations from around the world.
What to Submit: Full productions, staged readings, workshops, and other theatrical performances.
How to Submit: Complete the submission of your choice linked below.
All submissions will be reviewed by the IBTF programming committee. For full details on fees, deadlines, and notification of selection, please refer to the submission forms below.
For questions, please contact submissions@ncblackrep.org.