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Texas New Works Contest

Theatre Off The Square

Expires: Jul 31

The submission window for our 5th Annual New Works Contest is now open. This year's theme is Freedom! You have until July 31, 2025 when the submission window closes, and we can't wait to see what everyone submits. Please note that there's a rule change this year: all playwrights must be located in Texas. Also new this year—in addition to having their plays produced in the 2026 season, the two winners will also receive $200! Important Dates July 31, 2025 - Submissions Due September 1, 2025 - Finalists Announced October 4, 2025 - Staged Readings Submit a Play The Texas New Works Competition Rules Each entry must be an original, unpublished work. Final work must be submitted by July 31. No additional edits can be submitted for consideration after this date. We are not considering works commissioned by another theater. Playwrights must be located in Texas and willing to travel for a staged reading and, if selected, will be recognized as a special guest on opening night. Scripts must be between 30 minutes and an hour in length and able to be performed in one act. Genre style is open to the playwright, as long as the theme is used/implied. The theme does not have to be overt; it can be symbolized throughout. Community standards will play a role in selecting shows for the staged readings, so please keep content in mind. Please submit scripts to the specified Google Drive without identifying information (Playwright’s name, address, etc.) The person responsible for the submissions will ensure total anonymity and will not be a reader in the first round of judging. Please ensure that your name is not on your script Plays will be judged in two separate categories–Youth for playwrights 17 and under and Adult for playwrights 18+. The category is based on age as of July 31st, when submissions are due. Up to 6 plays will be chosen for staged readings on October 4th, where final judging will occur. This group will include one show from the Youth category and up to 5 from the Adult category. In the event that there are no qualifying Youth participants, all readings will come from the Adult category. The top two plays will be performed together as a single production at Theatre Off The Square in 2026. The playwright may or may not be consulted for production. If interested and approved by the Directors Selection Committee of Theatre Off The Square, winners may also be involved in the production up to directing. Winners will each receive $200 and 5 comp tickets We at Theatre Off The Square love working with new playwrights and look forward to working with each and every one of you!!! Please visit https://www.theatreoffthesquare.org/newworks for more information.