2025/26 LITERARY ARTS RESIDENCY PROGRAM
The Studios of Key West
DEADLINE: May 15, 2025
APPLICATION FEE: $45
INFO: The Studios of Key West, the premier arts organization at the Southernmost Point of the United States, offers a residency program for emerging and established artists and writers from around the world. We provide residencies to visual artists, writers, composers, musicians, media artists, performers, and interdisciplinary artists.
The program grants nearly 40 artists each year the time and space to imagine new artistic work, engage in valuable dialogue and explore island connections.
The Studios’ residency program is community-based and built upon the hope that visiting artists will take inspiration from Key West’s rich artistic past and present, and will engage with — and be inspired by — the remarkable people and culture that surrounds them.
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call for submissions: SAPPHEST VOLUME III
Sapphest NYC
DEADLINE: May 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET (or once they hit 200 submissions)
INFO: Sapphest is NYC's premier sapphic playwriting competition and play festival. The next installment of Sapphest will take place on 7/19/25 and 7/20/25 at Brooklyn Art Haus.
ELIGIBILITY:
Submissions are open to playwrights who:
Are 18 years of age or older
Live anywhere in the world
Identify as Sapphic*
*In our context, we use “Sapphic” as an inclusive term for those who identify as women, nonbinary, trans, two-spirit, genderqueer, or agender and who experience love or attraction for others within these communities. Sapphics may identify as queer, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, aromantic, lesbian, or use another term that resonates.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Please write an 8–10 minute piece inspired by a sapphic song (think Good Luck, Babe, Honey, Lunch, Slumber Party, Where Does the Good Go, Her Body is Bible, Lipstick Lover, Fast Car, etc.). The play should have no more than four actors (you may include more than four characters, but they must be played by a maximum of four actors).
The audience will guess which song inspired each play. Please note: the play should not be a direct retelling of the song, but rather inspired by the title or lyrics. Each playwright/writing team may submit one play per submission cycle.
Plays will be selected by a committee of queer judges. All plays will be read blind. The other questions in the form will help us get to know you as an artist and understand who we are reaching, but will not be shared with the readers. Selected playwrights will be notified by the end of June and will receive a ticket-split stipend after the festival has completed.
HELPFUL REMINDERS / TIPS:
Make sure the title of your play is not the same as the title of the song that inspired it.
Remove your name and any identifying information from the play and title of the document before submitting - (submissions that include identifying details may not be considered)
Your play must not exceed 11 pages, 12pt font, standard margins.
Only one submission per playwright or writing team.
If you have any questions, email us at sapphestnyc@gmail.com.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfszWe2eGD5_xJlQY8lgSoBfH9CtFENHxHKp8Bv-9LyXoI3dA/viewform
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2025 FALL MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ARTIST RESIDENCY
Bethany Arts Community
DEADLINE: May 26, 2025 at 11:58pm EST
INFO: Bethany Arts Community (BAC) offers residencies to emerging and established artists for the development of both new works and works-in-progress. BAC welcomes artists working across any discipline and medium, including visual artists, sculptors, writers, playwrights, choreographers, musicians, composers, performance artists, filmmakers, and more to our Fall Multidisciplinary Residency. Any and all artistic mediums are encouraged to apply. Enjoy an environment where artists from different disciplines and walks of life can work in community and near each other, creating opportunities for generative collaboration and cross-pollination.
Residents will be surrounded by uninhibited creativity during their time at BAC, in the form of other Multidisciplinary Residents, local studio artists, BAC staff and board members, those presenting programs on campus, and more!
A unique component of residencies at BAC is Community Programming. As part of a residency, we ask each artist to develop and facilitate a Community Program related to their residency plan. This part of the residency is an opportunity for artists to engage with the local community in Ossining and Westchester County, and for the local community to engage with artists through their work.
The Fall Multidisciplinary Residency runs for two, two-week sessions, September 9 to 23, 2025 and September 26 to October 10, 2025, each with its own cohort. Artists are provided room & board, a private studio conducive to artists’ medium and/or project, 3 basic meals a day*, and a $225 stipend per week upon completion of the residency. Artist is responsible for transportation to and from BAC and any supplies or materials needed for their practice. We ask that you only apply if you can stay for the entire length of this residency.
*Please note for the 3 meals a day included during the residency, Bethany Arts Community is only able to accommodate for vegan, plant-based, vegetarian, dairy-free, and/or gluten-free diets. Please contact submit@bethanyarts.org with any questions or if you have any further allergies/dietary needs not listed.
Regarding Artist Teams/Groups/Collaborations: Artist team applications will only be considered for groups up to 3 members.
TIMELINE:
Application Deadline: May 26, 2025 at 11:58 PM EST
Letters of Recommendation Deadline: June 2, 2025 at 11:58 PM EST
As letters of recommendation (LORs) requests are sent out at the time of application submission, we give applicants another week to ensure that their LORs are in. Please ensure your LOR is submitted by this deadline to be considered for this residency.
There is one letter of recommendation and one reference (not the same person who wrote the LOR) required to be considered.
Your LOR and your reference should come from someone who can speak to your artistry, character, and integrity. LORs and References from relatives will not be accepted.
Notifications: June 25, 2025
bethanyarts.org/calendar/fall2025residency/
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The Writers’ Room
Geffen Playhouse (Los Angeles)
DEADLINE: May 30, 2025
INFO: A group for Los Angeles-based playwrights, The Writers’ Room is a product of the Geffen’s deep commitment to supporting new plays and specifically to fostering bold, relevant work by the vibrant artistic community of this city.
During a twelve-month residency (September 2025 – August 2026) a cohort of six selected playwrights/writing teams will attend in-person meetings at the Geffen once per month as they generate the first draft of a new play or musical. One to two playwrights share work at each meeting and receive feedback from their cohort in a forum facilitated by the Geffen’s Literary Manager & Dramaturg.
At the conclusion of the residency (September – December 2026), each playwright will have the opportunity to further develop their completed draft in a culminating reading produced by the Geffen. Readings are conducted on the LORT Staged Reading Guidelines, which allow for up to 35 hours of rehearsal and an invited audience.
Writers’ Room playwrights receive a $2,000 stipend for their participation in the program, as well as a $1,000 fee during their reading week. A meal and parking are provided at each meeting. Playwrights will also receive complimentary tickets to all Gil Cates Theater shows (and to Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater shows, subject to availability) at the Geffen during their Writers’ Room tenure.
APPLICATION TIMELINE:
Friday, May 9, 2025: Applications Open
Friday, May 30, 2025: Applications Close (12 NOON PDT)
July 2025: Finalists Notified / Interviews Scheduled
August 2025: Writers’ Room Playwrights Selected / Announced
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY:
The Writers’ Room is intended to support the generation of a first draft of a play. Project proposals should be for a play that you have not yet written.
Applications are open to all playwrights who currently reside in Los Angeles. You do not need to be represented by a literary agent to apply.
Applicants must be available to attend monthly meetings in person at the Geffen on Monday evenings (dates TBD) from September 2025 – August 2026 and to attend rehearsals of their culminating reading (one week; dates TBD) between September – December 2026. Please note that exceptions to the in-person attendance policy will be made for emergencies only.
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
You will submit your application via this form. Please review the requirements below before beginning your application to ensure that your materials are formatted to meet the submission guidelines. Please note that the deadline for application is 12 NOON (PDT) on Friday, May 30.
Playwrights selected as Finalists will be notified in July 2025. Finalists will interview with members of the Geffen’s artistic staff.
Name
Pronouns
Email
Phone Number
Permanent Address
Confirmation of your eligibility:
You are or will be local to Los Angeles during the dates of the Writers’ Room program.
You are proposing a project that has not yet been written.
You will be available to attend in-person meetings once per month at the Geffen.
You will be available to attend in-person rehearsals of your culminating reading.
Bio (100 words max)
Answers to the following questions, which will serve as the proposal for the project you would like to work on in the Writers’ Room. If you are applying with a collaborator (co-written play or musical), you should work together on your answers. Please note that you are not required to hit the maximum word count; brevity is appreciated.
What is the kernel of the project you would like to work on in the Writers’ Room: the image/idea/ambition that is driving you to write this play? (100 words max)
To the best of your ability, outline the story, plot, or experience of your piece. (200 words max)
What about the Writers’ Room program feels most useful or necessary in supporting this particular project? (100 words max)
Is there anything else you’d like us to know? (100 words max)
Please provide a 15-page writing sample of original material. Please note that ALL listed material does count towards your 15-page total; your PDF should not exceed 15 pages.
We recommend providing an excerpt from a full-length play (or musical). Please note that we do not accept screenplays as writing samples.
Please include the piece’s title, character list, and setting at the top of the excerpt.
The excerpt may begin at any point in the script. Please choose the pages that you feel are the best representation of your writing.
Though it is not required, you may also choose to provide a brief synopsis, a recap of the action leading up to the sample pages, and any other relevant material.
If you are applying to write a musical, please include at least two complete sets of song lyrics in your 15-page sample. These lyrics may be included within the scene(s) of your writing sample or may be self-contained.
If you are applying to write your first play, you may provide a sample (up to 15 pages max) of poetry, essays, and/or fiction. Poetry, essays, and fiction should be double-spaced and in 12-point font, with one-inch margins.
If you are applying with a collaborator (co-written play or musical), you may split the 15 pages between individual projects or may submit co-written material. Please provide attribution, where applicable.
For teams submitting a musical pitch: in addition to the writing sample above, please provide two demo recordings that correspond to the two sets of lyrics in your writing sample. Demo recordings should be submitted via one accessible link.
geffenplayhouse.org/tickets/new-plays/the-writers-room/
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BLUELIGHT READING SERIES 2025
Conchshell Production
DEADLINE: May 30, 2025
INFO: Conch Shell Productions is now accepting submissions for our 2025 Bluelight Series!
We are seeking full-length plays (5 characters max) by Caribbean heritage writers based in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut). Selected plays will receive one (1) free public staged reading in Queens, NY, followed by an audience Q&A with the playwright.
The 2025 Bluelight Series theme is 'Voices Unbound.' We are looking for plays that defy convention, celebrate freedom of expression, and expand the narrative landscape of Caribbean and Diaspora storytelling.
Playwrights whose works are selected will receive:
A $100 stipend
Development support from Conch Shell Productions’ Resident Dramaturg to prepare the script for the reading
Public reading (date: TBD)
ELIGIBILITY:
Playwright must identify as of Caribbean heritage.
Must currently reside in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, or CT).
Play must be a full-length work (minimum 60 minutes in performance time).
Scripts must require no more than 5 actors.
Scripts must be original, unpublished, and unproduced (readings/workshops ok).
Playwright must be available to attend the in-person staged reading and post-show Q&A (dates TBD).
This is a wonderful opportunity to develop your work, build audience connection, and celebrate Caribbean heritage storytelling.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSercA4K2N0cBypiPc-rf_lkUjX-F6jqAq0uNsrsyjSQsnbZkQ/viewform
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Playwrights Unit 2025
The People’s Theatre (New York, NY)
DEADLINE: May 31, 2025
INFO: The People’s Theatre is seeking playwrights whose voices, experiences, and perspectives emerge from communities that have been historically excluded from the American theatre. We are especially focused on uplifting the work of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ artists.
This Playwrights Unit is grounded in our mission to build a more equitable, representative, and inclusive theatre landscape. Applications will be evaluated with a strong emphasis on alignment with that mission.
Three playwrights will be chosen to develop new plays each under the mentorship of award-winning playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez. The culminating plays will be showcased at The People’s Theatre New Horizons Play Reading Festival in December 2025.
YOU WILL RECEIVE:
Ongoing Support to Develop Your Play: Develop your work-in-progress into a 90 min play in workshops led by award-winning playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez.
Actor Readings and Feedback: Have actors read your latest writing during workshops and receive supportive feedback.
Insight on the business of show business and resources to access: Gain show business insights and resources from well-recognized industry members to advance your career.
Director and Actors for Staging: Have your play directed and staged by professionals.
Showcase your work: Present your play at The People’s Theatre New Horizons Reading Festival.
Shared Dinner: Enjoy meals provided during each in-person workshop.
$1500 award for your participation.
The People's Theatre will receive
The right of first refusal to produce the selected plays within three years.
ELIGIBILITY:
The applicant must have completed at least 1 full-length play or at least 2 one-act plays.
Local NYC and its surrounding areas. If not living in the NYC metropolitan area, you must be willing to travel to NYC for in-person sessions.
Must be available to attend in-person workshops and Reading Festival.
SCHEDULE:
Developmental Workshops
Wed, Aug 6, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Aug 20, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Sep 3, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Sep 17, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Sep 24, 5:30-8pm (Zoom)
Wed, Oct 22, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Nov 5, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Wed, Nov 12, 5:30-8pm (In-person)
Location: The People's Theatre Office, 700 W 192nd St Suite 2, New York, NY 10040
New Horizons Reading Festival
Dec 1- Dec 7, 2025
Each play will have 1.5 day rehearsal that culminates in a public staged reading.
Venue: TBA
Reflection meeting
Wed, Jan 21, 2026, 5:30-7pm
SUBMISSION SCHEDULE:
May 31, 2025: Submissions Close, or when 100 submissions are received
The week of June 16, 2025: Finalists invited to online interviews
The week of July 7, 2025: Participants Selected
APPLICATION LINK: https://forms.gle/nBznuaKJti7dvXCC8
For any questions regarding The People’s Theatre Playwrights Unit 2025, please email sinny@peoplestheatreproject.org.
ABOUT THE PEOPLE’S THEATRE:
Over the last 16 years, The People’s Theatre has been creating theatre with and for the immigrant community to create a more just and equitable world and doing this through Productions, Education, and Advocacy. Over the last 6 years, we have specifically been producing plays created by and about the immigrant experience in NYC. The Playwrights Unit is an integral part of The People's Theatre mission to support Immigrant, Latine, Black, Queer playwrights in promoting innovative theatrical works. During the next artistic season, The People's Theatre will present a Staged Reading Festival featuring three original new plays in December 2025.