Emerging Writers Residency
Circle in the Square Theater School
APPLICATION PERIOD: August 3 - 17, 2026
INFO: Circle in the Square Theater School’s Emerging Writers Residency is a new works incubator that offers theater writers a four-week residency at our premier acting conservatory to develop a play or musical, culminating in a presentation on the Circle in the Square Broadway stage.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN A WRITER:
There are no limitations on writer experience level or demographics. The first round of submissions will be read BLIND.
As an educational institution, it is imperative to us that the writers we bring in are comfortable working in an educational environment with actors who have never been part of a new works process before. There will be an interview process for the six finalists (3 plays, 3 musicals) to determine which writers will be the best fit for our institution.
Writers are expected to be within commuting distance of NYC for the duration of the residency. No housing or transportation will be provided. Please reach out to us with any questions regarding potential conflicts.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN A SCRIPT/SCORE:
We are looking for full-length works, minimum around 70 pages/70 minutes.
A full draft of a script/score in early stages of development that has NOT been professionally produced (1st drafts are great!)
Substantial and challenging roles for a diverse array of actors (both racial and gender diversity)
A MINIMUM of 4 substantial roles*, not including ensemble for the musical. Musicals with ensembles are encouraged to apply!
You must be the sole author or authors of the piece you are submitting, and the exclusive owner of all rights to the play or musical. If you are submitting an adapted work, the rights to any material not in the public domain must have been granted in writing and you will submit a copy of the release with your application.
* Note: as we are casting within our student body, flexible casting may be necessary
PLAY SCHEDULE:
The playwright is required to be present in person at each session. The playwright will be awarded a stipend of $500.
Orientation: 6pm-9pm Tuesday 1/12/27
Week 1: 7-10pm Wednesday 1/13 and Thursday 1/14
Week 2: 7-10pm Tuesday 1/19, Wednesday 1/20 and Thursday 1/21
Week 3: 7-10pm Tuesday 1/26, Wednesday 1/27 and Thursday 1/28
Week 4: 7-10pm Tuesday 2/2, Wednesday 2/3 and Thursday 2/4
Tech: Sunday 2/7 evening OR Monday 2/8 morning (exact time TBD)
Presentation: Monday 2/8 (2pm or 5pm, TBD)
circlesquare.org/emerging-writers-residency
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The Workshop Theater's Fall 2026 Intensive
The Workshop Theater
DEADLINE: August 4, 2026 (or until 120 scripts are submitted)
INFO: The Workshop Writers Intensive is a weekly, virtual writers group that runs for 10 weeks, with 4 writers, and 2 facilitators/dramaturgs. Writers submit an unproduced play, along with a statement of rewrite goals, and are then selected by the artistic staff. The script can be a first draft, only partially finished, or something that has been worked on many times. We are agnostic as to form and content.
Writers may only submit one (1) play per application cycle.
WHEN IS IT?
7pm-9pm EST via Zoom during the following dates:
Tuesday, September 8 - November 17, with October 13 off
Wednesday, September 9 - November 18, with October 14 off
Thursday, September 10 - November 19, with October 15 off
PLEASE NOTE: Previous Intensive participants must wait one (1) cycle until they apply again (ie: Spring 2026 participants cannot apply for Fall 2026, but can apply for Spring 2027)
Please be sure to login to a Google account to upload submission materials.
Please contact info@workshoptheater.org with questions.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf35igJdxgMZVph-t4hJV10NrB3W7Y_he5zYUYY0xNbvmyDrg/viewform
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7-Year Residency
The New Dramatists
DEADLINE: August 10, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT (or until a maximum of 700 submissions is reached, whichever comes first)
INFO: At New Dramatists, each resident playwright acts as the artistic director of their own seven-year new play laboratory, utilizing a menu of programming resources to pursue their artistic, process and development goals. Their Lab work is housed in a mindfully cultivated environment, free from financial and critical pressures, with guidance and support from a dedicated staff who encourage expansive, creative, and strategic thinking. Writers map their own journeys with complete creative authority.
This cycle, New Dramatists will recommend to the panel that they select a group of no more than 5 incoming writers, managing the size of the resident company in order to provide robust support.
ELIGIBILITY: Any playwright who is a U.S. citizen or who resides in and has the legal right to work in the United States may apply for the 7-year residency at New Dramatists as long as they can meet the submission requirements of 2 full-length plays and a biography or resume.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: All resident playwrights are required to show documents for I-9 form verification; these documents will be reviewed (as necessary) throughout a writer’s seven-year residency.
Please note New Dramatists is not in the position to be a visa sponsor.
Playwrights outside the tri-state area must have the availability to spend time in New York City and utilize New Dramatists’ services, and the readiness to participate both in-person and virtually in our dynamic artistic community. With guidance from the writers executive committee, New Dramatists aims to maintain a ratio of 70% local (NYC metropolitan area) and 30% national members to ensure dynamic in-person participation and to manage limited resources for travel and housing.
Please note New Dramatists' ability to provide reimbursement for travel and/or housing is dependent on the status of dedicated funding. Staff work with each resident to customize residencies that meet individual goals, and we will discuss current available travel and housing resources as part of that process.
QUESTIONS? Please email our Literary Services Manager Connie Hall admissions@newdramatists.org.
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THE MATCH
Digital Development Project
DEADLINE: August 11, 2026 at 11:59am ET
INFO: The Match is DDP’s core dramaturg–playwright matching process. For our 2026 Cycle, The Match refers to the process through which dramaturg–playwright pairings are made, while the resulting collaborations operate through three distinct development tracks within the 2026 DDP Programming Cycle. These are 3, 6, and 12-month tracks, designed to best meet playwrights where they are in their writing process and artistic career.
For our Fall Match, we will only be accepting applications for 3-Month Matches. Guidelines and details are available here.
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES: Applications are open to playwrights anywhere around the world writing primarily in English, although priority will be given to Asia and Oceania-based playwrights in conjunction with the launch of DDP Cosmos. You can read more about Cosmos here.
If you previously applied to The Match in Spring 2026 and you requested deferral for the Fall, your application will automatically be considered. Do not submit a new application.
There are 5 Match spots available this round. We will only be able to consider the first 30 new applications. DDP reserves the right to accept above this number, but once the form is closed, no more applications will be accepted for either category.
THE MATCH FAQs
What is The Match?:
The Match is DDP’s core dramaturg–playwright matching process. For our 2026 Cycle, The Match refers to the process through which dramaturg–playwright pairings are made, while the resulting collaborations operate through three distinct development tracks within the 2026 DDP Programming Cycle. The Spring session of the Match operated across 3-, 6-, and 12-month tracks, designed to best meet playwrights where they are in their writing process and artistic career. The Fall Match session will offer a 3-month track only.
What Match tracks am I eligible for?:
Each Match track has a different set of eligibility requirements based on levels of experience and career stage, as well as previous experience with The Match. More details about eligibility requirements can be found on our eligibility page or plaintext guidelines here.
The Fall Match session will offer a 3-month track only.
If you previously applied to The Match in Spring 2026 and you requested deferral for the Fall, your application will automatically be considered. Do not submit a new application.How many Match spots are available?
There are only 5 Match spots available for the Fall Match session
How does DDP determine eligibility for The Match?
DDP has developed a set of categories that playwrights can use to describe their artistic journey. In the application for The Match, playwrights will be asked to choose the categories they feel best represent them. Full descriptions of these categories can be found on the eligibility page or in plaintext form here.
When will the Matches take place?
For the Fall cycle, playwrights and dramaturge will work together between October 2026 – January 2027.
What are the application requirements for The Match?
Each Match track has its own set of requirements. The basic requirements for each track are a cover letter, a 10-page sample from the script you would like to develop during The Match, and the full text of the script you would like to develop during The Match. Specific requirements for each track can be found on our application page or in plaintext form here. The Fall Match session will offer a 3-month track only.
Are there any requirements my script must meet to qualify for The Match
Each script must be under 150 pages to qualify. We are not currently accepting musicals. For this year, scripts must be primarily in English. Scripts do not need to be a complete draft to apply.
What’s on the application for The Match?
The application includes uploading the listed documents and answering a brief questionnaire about working style and communication preferences. Additionally, applicants will be asked to indicate who they are interested in Matching with based on the DDP dramaturg profiles.
Can I apply for multiple tracks?
A playwright can apply to multiple tracks, but the same script must be used across all applications. A separate application should be completed for each additional track. The Fall Match session will offer a 3-month track only.
How many applications are you accepting?
We will only be able to consider the first 30 applications: DDP reserves the right to accept above this number, but once the form is closed, no more applications will be accepted. For the Fall session, priority will be given to Asia and Oceania-based playwrights in conjunction with the launch of DDP Cosmos. You can read more about Cosmos here.
Which DDP dramaturgs are participating in The Match?
For the Fall session, the dramaturgs are
Giselle Garcia
Janice Poon
Karina Patel
Maddie Williams
Maren Flessen
To learn more about our dramaturgs, check out the DDP dramaturg profiles.
When will I hear back about my application?
You will hear from DDP by early October about the status of your application.
You can read more about our projects at https://digitaldevelopmentproject.com/ and be sure to follow us on Instagram @digital_dramaturgs to stay up to date on what spaces we dream up next.
QUESTIONS? Email us at thedigitaldramaturgs@gmail.com, with the subject line "The Match Application Inquiry".
digitaldevelopmentproject.com/the-match/
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open call for latinx plays
GALA Hispanic Theatre |📍Washington, DC
DEADLINE: August 16, 2026
INFO: Nueva Era New Play Festival is looking for exciting new voices. They’re accepting submissions of full-length plays in English and Spanish by U.S.-based Latinx Playwrights.
Selected plays will be presented as staged readings December 11 - 13, 2026 at GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington, DC.
HOW TO SUBMIT: Send scripts to gustavo.ott@galatheatre.org
instagram.com/p/DavvhlVj19d/?img_index=2
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2026-27 new play development programs
Dramatic Questions Theater
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
INFO: DQT is open for submissions for our 2026-27 new play development programs:
American Woman (AW) is a solo show development and presentation program that centralizes Female-identifying writers living in the United States. It is led by Raquel Almazan.
Classics in Color (CiC) is a new play development and presentation program that centralizes BIPoC playwrights with early drafts of plays which combine the BIPoC lived experience with narratives from the Global Canon. It is led by Caridad Svich.
PlayTime (PT) is a new play development and presentation program that centralizes Female-identifying or BIPoC playwrights with early drafts of plays. It is led by Carmen Rivera.
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storyknife writers retreat
Storyknife |📍Homer, AK
DEADLINE: August 31, 2026
APPLICATION FEE: $45.00
INFO: Women’s stories are vital and important. Currently, those stories whether expressed in poems, plays, novels, essays, or memoirs are not published, reviewed, or promoted as often as the work of men. Storyknife provides women with the time and space to explore their craft without distraction. Every aspect of a residency at Storyknife is steeped in a profound generosity of spirit so that each writer knows she and her work are valuable. Storyknife residents carry away both this affirmation and a living community of women writers to assist their valuable work wherever they go.
Residencies at Storyknife in Homer, Alaska, are either for two or four weeks. Resident’s food and lodging is covered during the period of their residency, but travel to and from Homer, Alaska, is the responsibility of the resident. Residents stay in individual cabins & dine at the main house. An on-staff chef is responsible for food preparation.
Four week residencies begin on the 1st of each month and end on the 28th, April through October. Two week residencies are held in April, June, and August and begin on the 1st of each month and end on the 14th OR begin on the 15th and end on the 28th.
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ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must:
Be woman-identified
Be 21 years of age or older
Apply as an individual artist, not a collaborative group or team
Writers who have been in residency for a minimum of two-weeks at Storyknife must wait five years before they can re-apply for another residency.
Please note that for the 2027 residency season, the Board of Directors of Storyknife strongly suggests that all residents must be vaccinated and appropriately boosted against COVID-19.
You will provide a work sample and answer four questions (each answer 300 words or fewer).
How have you sought to educate yourself as a writer? (Formal education not a prerequisite, but evidence of curiosity and learning in your applicable genre is.)
What is your experience with publishing your work? (Publishing is not a prerequisite but is considered a goal for writers who attend Storyknife.)
What project will you pursue while in residency? (Please note that you will be free to work on whatever writing you wish during residency. We simply are interested in what you think you’ll be pursuing.)
Why would a writing residency benefit you at this time especially?
WRITING SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS:
Writing samples should reflect work completed within the last two years. All writing samples must be uploaded through Submittable. Written work samples will be uploaded directly within the application.
Applicants can submit published or unpublished writing samples.
All writing samples must be combined into one PDF file.
A writing sample not to exceed 10 pages (prose: double-spaced 12 point font, poetry: single-spaced 12 point font acceptable). Prose includes screenplays and stage plays which also must conform to the 10 page limit.
This is an anonymous jurying process. Any writing samples with identifying material will be disqualified (including in the file name). Do not include your last name, address, or publication credits in your writing sample (including the file name). This only refers to the writing sample, not the answers to the questions.
TRAVEL FUNDS: In 2027, there will be multiple opportunities for travel cost stipends. Those that want to be considered for travel funds will indicate so on their applications.
QUESTIONS? If you have questions regarding your eligibility or preparing your application, contact executive director, Erin Hollowell, at ehollowell@storyknife.org.
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2026 Jonathan Larson Grants
American Theater Wing
DEADLINE: September 4, 2026
INFO: Are you an emerging musical theatre artist? The Jonathan Larson Grants are given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers - offering support through unrestricted cash grants, as well as additional support in the form of residencies, concerts, and recording grants.
GENERAL CRITERIA:
The Jonathan Larson Grants are intended to honor and recognize emerging musical theatre artists. Composers, lyricists, and librettists who work in musical theatre are the focus of the grants. ATW is committed to serving artists who are creating new, fully producible works for the theatre, and advancing the art form. The grants do not honor a specific piece or project.
Grant awards are based on merit, and are intended for those artists with a demonstrated commitment and dedication to a career in musical theatre. Further, the grants are not intended to be scholarships, and artists applying for grants should be working professionally in the field.
Applications are accepted in the following areas:
Individuals may apply as lyricists, composers, librettists, or any combination of the three.
Collaborative teams may apply together as composer, lyricist, and/or librettist, or any combination of the three.
Collaborators who work together regularly are strongly encouraged to apply as a team. If your collaborative team has more than three individuals, please contact the ATW offices.
United States citizenship is not a requirement to receive the grant, but you must be eligible to work in the U.S. and reside/work here on at least a part-time basis and submitted work should be predominately in English.
Artists may apply only once per grant cycle. You may not apply as part of a team and as an individual applicant.
Prior Jonathan Larson Grant Recipients are not eligible.
(Applications that do not adhere to these general criteria will not be considered)
Required Materials–Applicants must submit the following through our online portal to be considered:
General Information
Artistic Statement—on the form provided, describe your achievements and goals for your career as a creative artist or collaborative team (one per application). Please do not make specific monetary requests as part of the application.
Creative Curriculum Vitae—productions/workshops/readings, educational history, and including list of awards (one for each applicant or each member of a team, please submit multiple CVs in one, combined .pdf or .doc file).
Work Sample List—(please see below for further information)
Applicants may provide a letter of support/recommendation from theatre artists or educators, although this is component is not mandatory to submit an application.
WORK SAMPLE LIST:
Applicants are also required to submit a comprehensive Work Sample List; a list of all the song and libretto selections with authorship information. Work samples are only required in accordance with your application focus.
For instance, if you are applying as a composer only, please only submit music, and dramatic context for the song. Do not submit a book or lyrics for adjudication. The same would be true if you were applying as a lyricist or book writer, only submit samples for the area or areas for which you wish to be considered.
Once you have completed the Work Sample list, you will have the opportunity to upload your material.
Notes on uploading work samples:
Audio Files/Song Selections—upload selected songs (accepted formats include MP3, MP4, WMA, WAV, ACC (M4A) and FLAC). Select individual tracks and pieces that reflect your best work.
Dramatic Context/ Lyric Sheets—describe the dramatic context and provide the lyrics for each song selection
Libretto—Please submit one-act only of a musical book (or if your work does not have a traditional act-break, an excerpt of 60 pages or less). .pdf format is preferred. You may start your libretto with a 1-page synopsis of the show in its entirety.
ON SELECTING WORK SAMPLES:
Regardless, if you work creatively in all three disciplines (music, lyrics, and book) or you are applying as a collaborative team, you should submit combined work samples that represent the full range of your work. For example, Jonathan Larson might have submitted one application that included three song selections from Rent, two song selections from Tick, Tick…Boom!, and the book of Act II from Rent. Please do not submit a recording of an entire act or production. Select individual tracks and pieces that reflect your best work.
The Jonathan Larson Grants are intended to honor and recognize emerging musical theatre writers. We are aware that artists work in multiple disciplines; and while it is not necessary that you only work in musical theatre, selections of representative work submitted for the grant must be for musical theatre. Applications submitting oratorios, operas, symphonic scores, or film scores will not be considered.
Adapted Works: Should you choose to submit selections from work which is adapted from an existing work, you must provide proof of rights for that adaptation as part of your application.
ABOUT JONATHAN LARSON:
Jonathan Larson was a man who called the East Village home, relishing the bohemian life of downtown New York in the late eighties and early nineties. A life-long musical theatre lover, Larson worked tirelessly to develop his own musical vision for the stage. After nearly a decade of writing and composing, Larson’s rock musical “Rent,” a gritty urban update to Puccini’s “La Bohème,” premiered to enormous critical and popular success. The show reflected Larson’s personal story as a struggling artist living in Alphabet City, getting by with the support of his contemporaries.
Tragically, Larson passed away suddenly the night before previews for the show began. The inspiring nature and brave subject matter of “Rent,” however, gave the show a life of its own and established Larson as the voice of a new generation on stage. The show, and its creator posthumously, won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and four Tony Awards. “Rent” remains a celebrated musical and cultural touchstone today.
The few grants Larson received inspirited him with the professional confidence to continue pursuing musical theatre and, ultimately, to finish “Rent.” Today, Jonathan Larson Grants are awarded to musical writers with the potential to create work that shapes contemporary culture. We give writers free reign to put the grant’s resources towards what they see as the best use for furthering their creative endeavors with the hope that the grant will provide the support necessary for artists to see their work from concept to cultural success.
Thanks to the resources of the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation and the generosity of the Larson Family, the program will be sustained in a permanent home at the American Theatre Wing.