Dates / Award

2021 CONTEST

Submit through Monday 
January 31, 2022 midnight PST

Target Winning Announcement Date
March 31, 2022 

Winners will be notified by email.
Contest results will be posted on our website, under HISTORY.

Award

Winner Award: $300 + a reading with Q&A.

New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest will make every effort to provide a mutually agreed upon reading date within 2 months of the contest's winning announcement. 

Venue, type of reading, director, and actors will be chosen at the discretion of New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest. 

Up to 4 playwrights will receive a free, one year subscription to Play Submission Helper. PlaySubmissionHelper.com

Honorable Mention will be given for noteworthy scripts of merit.

Eligible Scripts

Scripts no longer than 2 hours or 90 pages Stage Play Format
      ***(PLEASE NOTE:
          Scripts over 90 pages, but
           with performance time under
           2 hours, are also eligible.)
One-acts
Short stage plays
Children's plays 
Published scripts
Scripts that received a workshop
Scripts that received a staged reading
Scripts that received a non-union production 
Scripts produced with an AEA Showcase Code or Plan

Plays submitted must be the original work of the author and meet Mission Statement Criteria (see Home Page).

Below is a LINK for Stage Play Format (preferred though NOT required):

Ineligible Scripts

Musicals
Scripts produced with an AEA Contract 
Adaptations
Collections
Multiple Short Plays in a Theme Collection
Poems
Scripts that do not meet Mission Statement Criteria (see About Us in the Toolbar)

Scripts over 2 hours or 90 pages  
Stage Play Format
      ***(PLEASE NOTE:
          Scripts over 90 pages, but
           with performance time under
           2 hours, are eligible.)