2020-2021 submissions are NOW OPEN.

There is no entry fee. Please follow these submission guidelines:

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  * 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  * Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays.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.

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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.

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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

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Submit the electronic copy of your manuscript to:

NewLightNew VoicesAward@gmail.com with the subject line “NEW LIGHT NEW VOICES SUBMISSION: (title of your play)”

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​Women, transgender and gender nonconforming artists, and artists of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

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The winner will receive $1000, developmental support and a 4-week production run in the summer of 2021.

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Please note: the award is contingent on the playwright's agreeing to the terms of the production agreement.

Photo by Jody Christopherson.

Featuring Danie Steel and ensemble.  

The American Tradition by Ray Yamanouchi was the winner of the 2018/2019 New Light New Voices Award. 

Photo by Hunter Canning.

Featuring Alton Alburro, Jacob Perkins. Breeders by Dan Giles was the winner of the 2017/2018 New Light New Voices Award. 

In 2016, Anne Adams’ Strange Country ('Best Bet' Theatre Is Easy) received the inaugural New Light New Voices Award, which included a full production in co-production with Access Theater. The second and third NLNV Award produced Dan Giles' Breeders (TimeOut NY Critics' Pick; 'Best Bet' Theatre Is Easy) and Ray Yamanouchi's The American Tradition (TimeOut NY Critics' Pick; 'Best of Theater 2019' Slant Magazine; 'Best Bet' Theatre Is Easy). The 2019-2020 winning play, Andrew Rincón’s I Wanna Fuck Like Romeo & Juliet, will receive a world premiere production this spring as an Anchor Partner at The Flea Theater in downtown NYC.

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 her/his "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 Hunter Canning. Featuring Sidney Williams, Bethany Geraghty, Vanessa Vache. Strange Country by Anne Adams was the winner of the 2016/2017 New Light New Voices Award. This was a co-production with Access Theater.