Beckwith Theatre Company Seeks Submissions for Local Playwrights Festival
Beckwith Theatre Company Seeks Submissions for 3rd Annual Local Playwrights Festival of 10-Minute Plays
Submissions Now Open Through September 11, 2026. No Entry Fee
The Beckwith Theatre Company (BTC) is pleased to announce it is now accepting submissions for its 3rd Annual Local Playwrights Festival of 10-Minute Plays. The festival will take place in February 2027, and submissions are currently being accepted through 11:59 PM on September 11, 2026. There is no submission fee.
The Festival celebrates original short plays from local playwrights residing in SW Michigan and Northern Indiana. All directors and actors are also local. Proceeds benefit the Beckwith Theatre Company’s Capital Campaign Fund, which supports the historic building’s upkeep and planned renovations. Playwrights, directors, and actors receive no remuneration.
This Year’s Themes
As with prior festivals, playwrights must focus their submission on one of five designated themes, activities, or props:
1. Senior Citizen Experiences
2. A Car Ride
3. High School
4. A Rocking Chair (Set Prop)
5. A Coffee Cup/Mug with a Broken Handle (Hand Prop)
Submission Guidelines
• Original script not previously produced and will not be produced before February 2027 (staged or feedback readings are acceptable)
• Playwrights may submit up to 3 original, non-AI-generated scripts
• Plays must have a beginning, middle, and end (no skits)
• Run time of 10 minutes; shorter is fine, slightly longer may be allowed.
• Minimum of 2 characters; maximum of 5 characters
• Any theatre genre accepted: absurd, comedic, dramatic, dark, farce, mystery, tragedy, literal or figurative
• Must address one of the five themes, activities, or props
• Can be staged with minimal sets, props, and costumes
• No musicals; limited songs or music allowed if no royalties are required
• Limited foul language; limited sound and lighting cues
• No submission fee; plays submitted will not be returned
• No revisions will be accepted after submission
• Deadline: 11:59 PM, September 11, 2026
How to Submit
All submissions must follow Standard Stage Play Format (available by emailing btcplayfestival@gmail.com or via the Dramatists Guild website). Use a 12-point readable font (e.g., Times New Roman) with margins of at least 0.75 inches. Submit only PDF or MS Word files.
Submit two files per entry:
• Title Page File: Title, theme/prop addressed, 2–3 sentence descriptor, your name, email, phone, mailing address, and copyright if applicable.
• Script File: Title in header and page numbers, but no playwright-identifying information.
Send all submissions via email to: btcplayfestival@gmail.com.
Selection Process & Playwright Benefits
A BTC review committee will read and score each submission, evaluating plot, characters, writing style and voice, staging feasibility, variety, overall impact, and guideline compliance. Playwrights will be notified by email of the decision. No feedback will be provided on plays not selected.
Selected playwrights agree to a production by local directors and actors, and to possible recording or photography for marketing purposes. They will be recognized in programs, promotional materials, and on social media, and will be offered complimentary ticket pairs for performances they attend.
Eligible Geographic Area
The festival is open to playwrights residing in the following counties:
• Michigan: Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, St. Joseph, and Kalamazoo counties
• Indiana: Laporte, St. Joseph, and Elkhart counties
For more information, visit beckwiththeatrecompany.com/fest or email btcplayfestival@gmail.com.
About the Beckwith Theatre Company
The Beckwith Theatre Company is a nonprofit community theatre located in Dowagiac, Michigan. Dedicated to bringing high-quality theatrical productions to Southwest Michigan, Beckwith showcases a diverse range of classic, contemporary, and original works. With a focus on local talent and community engagement, the theatre offers an intimate setting for audiences to experience the transformative power of live performance.
