SUBMISSIONS NOW CLOSED


THE 2011 NATIONAL NEWBORN FESTIVAL

The National NewBorn Festival is our flagship program, created to find talented emerging playwrights from across the United States, introduce their work to the New York theatre community, and open New York doors to regional voices. 

Submitted plays must meet the following criteria:

  • The world of the play must take place in a region outside of New York City.
  • The play must not have had a prior reading or production in NYC.
  • MTWorks strongly encourages writers living in any region of the United States to apply.

 The selected playwrights will be awarded:

  • One full reading of their work in a festival environment.
  • An assigned professional director to work on their play.
  • A “Playwright Spotlight” Newsletter received by over 3,000 members of the NY Theatre Industry. 
  • A talk-back or survey about your play with the cast and audience members.
  • A Networking "Meet the Playwrights" Event.
  • Complimentary tickets to MTWorks shows, invited dress rehearsals and other special events.
  • Artistic and professional support from the MTWorks staff.
  • A  second reading on the festival's closing night if your play wins "Audience Favorite Award."
  • Possiblity of being awarded the MTWorks Board of Director's "Excellence in Playwriting Award."
  • The possibility of your work being selected as part of an MTWorks upcoming season. Receiving a full staged production.
 
REQUIREMENTS:

We are only interested in full-length plays at the moment (no short plays or musicals, sorry).

Applicants must submit the following:

•    A Cover Letter (can be in the body of the email).
•     A  ten (10) page excerpt of your play.
•    A half (1/2) page synopsis.
•    If you applied for The National NewBorn Festival before, you must submit a different play.
•     All material must be emailed (all together in one email) to plays@mtworks.org with [title of the play and your name] on the subject line.

If your contact information changes between your submission date and November, you are required to update your information by sending an email to plays@mtworks.org with [updated contact information for-your name] on the subject line.


SELECTION PROCESS

MTWorks will select the strongest candidates based on the plays overall theme, dialogue and structure.

MTWorks encourages scripts with large casts, different ethnicities and diverse backgrounds. We accept applications from all cities in the United States. Whether the play is a drama or comedy, it must raise questions about the ideas and philosophies behind human nature and the extent of our own potential.

The request for your complete work is determined by David Stallings, Artistic Director. The final selection committee is comprised of David Stallings, Artistic Director; Cristina Alicea, Executive Director; and other artistic staff. This process is what we call “The Living Room Series”.

IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Dates: March 1st-June 1st, 2010
Selection Announcement: November 1st, 2010
The National NewBorn Festival: Late January 2011


Please do not call to ask about the status of your submission. If you received a confirmation email after submitting, trust that we received your material. If we would like the full script we will contact you, so no need to contact us. If you have any other inquires about the festival, and NOT about your status, you are welcome to contact us at info@mtworks.org.  Please do not email questions to our application e-mail address.