Submit Your Full Length Play

New Works Playwright Competition

OCTA SEEKS NEW FULL-LENGTH WORKS FROM KC PLAYWRIGHTS!
The Olathe Civic Theatre Association’s New Works Competition is returning in 2026! We invite local playwrights to submit original, full-length (non-musical) plays for consideration by our judges and audiences, with the winner receiving a full staged reading at OCTA in June!

 

THE DETAILS

WHO: The competition is open to playwrights who reside within a 150-mile radius of the Kansas City metro area. (This includes Johnson, Douglas, Miami, and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas; and Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in Missouri.)

WHAT: Full-length play scripts (60 to 100 pages, 12-point font) which have not been previously produced.

WHERE: Submissions should be sent (in pdf form only) to newworks@olathetheatre.org.

WHEN: Deadline for submissions is January 1, 2026, 11:59PM.

HOW:  Please put “OCTA New Works: [YOUR PLAY TITLE]” in the subject line of the email to which you attach the pdf of your play. Please include your name and contact information in the body of your email, but DO NOT include any identifying information anywhere on the script itself. Scripts with the author’s name included in the pdf will not be considered.

  • Your email should also include a synopsis of your play in no more than 150 words, and a complete character list.
  • Only electronic submissions will be considered.
  • Playwrights may submit up to two plays each. When submitting more than one play, please do so in separate emails.

 

THE PROCESS:

  • All submissions will be read by members of the OCTA New Works committee, which will choose finalists from among all entries. Finalists will be notified of their selection by March 1, 2026.
  • The finalists will be asked to present a representative 10-minute excerpt and full description of their work in competition before a live audience at OCTA in April.
  • No costumes and only minimal, representational set pieces may be used in these presentations.
  • Audiences and the committee judges will vote on the plays based on these presentations, selecting one overall winner.
  • The winning play will receive a full staged reading at OCTA in June!
  • OCTA will assist the finalists and winning playwright if needed in finding directors and actors for the April competition and full staging in June.

QUESTIONS:
Please direct any questions to Bob Hart, New Works Committee Chairperson, at newworks@olathetheatre.org.