NEW LIGHT
NEW VOICES
New Light New Voices is a program and development platform designed to support unique theater voices. The program seeks dynamic playwrights in the NYC theater community in order to give them an opportunity to work with NLTP's ensemble and extended network of artists.
In keeping with NLTP's mission to place writers at the center of our process of developing new works, NLTP works closely with the winning playwright to assemble their "dream" team of creatives (including but not limited to director, actors, designers, and production). Throughout the rehearsal process, the writer is supported and encouraged to participate and be a strong voice in the room.
Photo by Jody Christopherson
The American Tradition by Ray Yamanouchi
Photo by Hunter Canning
I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo & Juliet by Andrew Rincón
Photo by Hunter Canning
Ink'dWell by Erin E. Adams
Photo by Hunter Canning
Breeders by Dan Giles
2023 Winner: Friends with Amenities
by Ahsan Ali & Lisa Jill Anderson
No finalists were selected.
2021 - 2022 No Winners
Pandemic Break
2020 Winner: Ink'dWell
by Erin E. Adams
Finalists:
The Woods by Jahna Ferron-Smith
water from the river is also in the sea by Bella O'Brien
Rape Game by Jerrica White
2019 Winner: I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet
by Andrew Rincón
Finalists:
Rafetus by Ali Skye Bennet
Stew by Zora Howard
2018 Winner: The American Tradition
by Ray Yamanouchi
Finalists:
The Birds of Empathy by Clarence Coo
Tara by Brian Otaño
The Feast by Celine Song
2017 Winner: Breeders
by Dan Giles
Like Jelly by Jeana Scotti
Lady Judas by Ann Wuehler
The American Tradition by Ray Yamanouchi
2016 Winner: Strange Country
by Anne Adams
No finalists were selected.
Photo by Hunter Canning
Strange Country by Anne Adams
Submissions are CLOSED.
There is no entry fee. Please follow these submission guidelines:
* Playwrights must be NYC-based.
* This contest is restricted to un-produced plays written in the English language.
* Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays. Translations, musicals, adaptations, screenplays, one-act plays, and children's plays are not accepted.
* Playwrights may submit only one script per year.
* Plays that have been professionally produced in NYC are not eligible.
* Plays that have had a workshop, reading, or non-professional production or that have been published as an actor’s edition will be considered.
* Plays may not be under option, commissioned, or scheduled for professional production or publication at the time of submission. NLTP will have right of first refusal once script has won.
* Plays must be typed/word-processed and page-numbered.
* Plays must be submitted electronically. No hard copies, please.
New Light Theater Project reserves the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.
Electronic submissions for the New Light New Voices Award must be submitted no later than February 15, 2020. The submission window closes at midnight EST.
The manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play's title and a 2-3 sentence description of the play. Your play title with your name and contact information (including address, phone number, and email address), and a brief biography must be submitted in a separate attachment.
Please send the script in PDF format with the title format: PLAY TITLE.pdf
Submit the electronic copy of your manuscript to:
NewLightNewVoicesAward@gmail.com with the subject line “NEW LIGHT NEW VOICES SUBMISSION: (title of your play)”
Women, transgender and gender nonconforming artists, and artists of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please note: the award is contingent on the playwright's agreeing to the terms of the production agreement.