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NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE
2025 MODERN WORKS FESTIVAL
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025

The 2025 Modern Works Festival is held in memory of Deb Shoss, a dedicated play screener, patron, and supporter of the Modern Works Festival. This year's Festival art is inspired by her resilient spirit.

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About The Festival

Back for the sixth year and taking place at Urbanite Theatre, the 2025 Modern Works Festival is a five-day playwriting and reading festival and a celebration of women in theatre.

 

Three finalists will be selected by a panel of play readers to present their work as a staged reading during the Festival. The Festival will culminate in an audience roundtable discussion, and Festival Passholders will have the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite of the three works. All finalists will receive a stipend award of $1500, plus travel to/from Sarasota and housing. 

 

Seeking new work from emerging and established female playwrights. Playwrights must be available to attend all festival rehearsals and talkbacks in Sarasota, FL. Rehearsals will take place September 16-September 18th, 2025. Staged Reading performances will take place September 19 through September 21, 2025. 

Interested playwrights are encouraged to read Urbanite’s mission statement and production history to get an idea of the type of work we produce.
 

No Entry Fee
Festival Stipend Awards: $1500
Finalists: three finalists will be selected. 

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Submission Rules & Requirements

  • Submissions must be from women playwrights

  • Playwrights must reside in the United States

  • Plays must be unproduced and unpublished with limited development

  • Plays that have been previously submitted to Urbanite Theatre or the Modern Works Festival are not eligible to be submitted again

  • No musicals or translations

  • Full length plays only (defined as 60 minutes or more)

  • Must require four actors or less

  • Must include quality, female roles that are well-represented

  • Must include a contact page and character breakdown

  • One submission per playwright

  • Playwright must be available to attend the festival in person September 16-September 21, 2025. 

Festival Rules & Requirements

  • Three finalists will be chosen to participate in the 2025 Modern Works Festival

  • Each finalist will receive the following: a woman-identifying professional director and stage manager, stage directions reader, professional actors, a table read, 15 rehearsal hours, a staged reading with a total of two staged reading performances and facilitated post-show talkbacks

  • Staged readings will have some lighting support, music stands and chairs; costumes props and internal music are not allowed as the readings are text focused, actors cannot be asked to memorize any text

  • Actors, stage managers, directors will be comprised of local and non-local artists, AEA and non AEA

  • All finalists will receive a stipend of $1500

  • All finalists will receive an additional stipend of $36 per day perdiem to assist with daily food expenses

  • Housing, Travel to/from Sarasota will be provided

  • Finalists will be selected by panel of readers and notified by Urbanite Theatre no later than June 30, 2025. 

  • Submissions will be capped after the first 300 scripts are received

  • The volume of submissions will prevent us from providing individual feedback

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For questions regarding the Festival, contact modernworks@urbanitetheatre.com

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