Ten-Minute Play Submissions
Please follow these rules:
Theme: What had happened was...
Plays about excuses and explanations.
Submissions are due March 15, 2025
To be eligible, the play:
1) Must include some reference to the theme of "What Had Happened Was." The phrase "what had happened was" need not be said by any character in the play.
2) Must have been written by a playwright who has resided in Louisiana (not merely visited).
3) Must be unpublished and unproduced. It is fine if the play has had a reading. In fact, we urge you to do a reading so you can hear the play out loud. We will have two readings early in 2025.
4) Must run approximately ten minutes. Figure on approximately 1,800 words. We will disqualify any play that is longer than 2400 words. We will read every play between 1,800 and 2,400 words out loud, and will disqualify any play running more than 12.5 minutes. Minimum running time should be six minutes.
5) Must not have any technical requirements that would be expensive or extremely difficult to procure and produce. “Special” lighting and sound effects are well within our ability. Costuming must not be too demanding; for example, we probably can’t provide costumes for a wedding set in 1700.
6) Must have no more than five (5) and at least two (2) characters. Characters must be playable by adults. Try to avoid characters who have fewer than ten lines, such as a waiter, unless they are absolutely required to tell your story. Consider casting, as it must come from the Central Louisiana community, but we love diversity!
7) Cannot be a musical (though a character could sing an original song a cappella).
8) Cannot require full nudity.
Further Guidance: The play can be a drama or comedy (we love comedies!) but should not be a skit. We love work that is socially relevant.
What to Submit
When submitting, you should provide two files: 1) the title page, and 2) the rest of the play.
On the title page of your script, include a “logline” that describes your play in a sentence or two. It should be located approximately mid-way between the “by line” and the contact information. See sample of Title Page Here.
The first page of “the rest of the play” should start with a centered title, followed by a list of characters with brief descriptions. The playwright’s name must not appear anywhere in the body of the play, including the header or footer. A brief description of any minor modifications of the set or any required set dressing should precede the first lines of dialogue, which should start on the same page, after a blank line. See sample here.
Please submit plays in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).
FINAL SUBMISSIONS must be made no later than MARCH 15, 2025.
There is a $20 submission fee for each entry.
All playwrights whose plays are selected must agree to and sign our guidelines for production.
Only one entry will be accepted from each playwright.
The plays that win will be staged (if possible) and will be recorded.
We are awarding prizes for our top-three scoring plays. First place will receive $100, second will receive $75, and our third place prize will be awarded $50. The plays will be judged blindly, to ensure fairness.
SPECIAL OPTIONAL EARLY SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Any play submitted by February 15 may receive a critique by March 1. The playwright may submit a revised play by March 15, or stick with the original. Getting a critique is an option, and is not required. It is highly suggested for any playwright who has not had multiple plays produced before. If you’re submitting by February 15, and you don’t want a critique, please indicate in your email to us.
Thank You for your interest in submitting a 10 Minute Play. Submissions can be emailed to admin@spectralsisters.com. To pay the $20 fee use the link below.
2023 Guidelines and Important Dates
Thank You for your interest in submitting your work for the 10 Minute Play Festival. Submissions can be emailed to admin@spectralsisters.com. To pay the $20 fee use the link below.
Please Enter the Title of the Play