Beginning July 1 through September 30 each year, New Plays for Young Audiences seeks new unpublished and unproduced TYA full-length play scripts for young audiences for our next season. As a reminder, our scripts are performed by adult actors during the developmental process.
Submission Guidelines:
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Please utilize this form for your submission (if you run into problems with the form contact Teresa Fisher; taf263@nyu.edu).
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In addition to your script, you will be asked to include your goals for the week of development. This might include questions about the script you hope to answer, characters you want to further develop, story areas you want to look closer at, etc. Scripts received without goals are automatically disqualified, as this is an important part of our process.
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You will also be asked to include how you see your script fitting into the TYA field as we are dedicated to nurturing and encouraging the continued development of TYA. If your script is not specifically intended for a young audience (any range that falls between ages 5 and 18 such as 5-9, 11-15, etc.) or otherwise appropriate for youth and family audiences, we encourage you to seek out a more appropriate venue. As a reminder, our series focuses on scripts in which the story centers on the youth characters’ experiences, looking at the world through their lens.
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If you are submitting an adaptation, we will ask that you include proof that the original author has agreed to you adapting their work or reasons why it’s not applicable.
Please note that we only accept previously unpublished and unproduced full-length play scripts. If your script has had a fully produced production, we cannot accept it. If you are uncertain if your script meets this requirement or believe there is cause for an exemption, feel free to contact us (David Montgomery, dm635@nyu.edu or Teresa Fisher, taf263@nyu.edu).
Frequently Asked Questions:
When is the series? The first week of the 2026 series is anticipated to be 6/1-6/7. The second week is 6/8-6/14. The third week is 6/15-6/21. Each week a different script is developed. Each week begins on a Monday and ends on Sunday.
Do you accept musicals? Yes, we do. Because of financial constraints and time factors, we don’t develop more than one a series and sometimes only once every other year.
Do you accept adaptations? Yes, as long as you have proof that the original author has agreed to you adapting their work or reasons why it’s not applicable.
Do you accept submissions from international playwrights? We do, although sometimes financial constraints can make it harder for us to accept those submissions. For example, we definitely will take no more than one international playwright a year and generally only one every other year or less. Some locations are also easier for us to fund travel from/to than others. It really is the travel costs that end up being the deciding factor.
How many scripts may I submit? You can submit as many as you like, but we recommend focusing on sending no more than one or two.
If my script has been produced or published may I submit it? Please note that we only accept previously unpublished and unproduced full-length play scripts. If your script has had a fully produced production, we cannot accept it. If you are uncertain if your script meets this requirement or believe there is cause for an exemption, feel free to contact us (David Montgomery, dm635@nyu.edu or Teresa Fisher, taf263@nyu.edu).
Why do you ask for playwright goals and how my play fits into the TYA field? The goals help us figure out if we’re going to be able to provide what the playwright needs. It’s also useful for seeing if we’re on the same page as the playwright or not — do the readers, for example, notice the same areas that the playwright does. As to fitting into the TYA field, our remit at NPYA is on amplifying youth voices and youth stories so we want scripts that speak to the youth experience and focus on youth characters. Some of the scripts we receive don’t fit neatly into that category and it can be hard to tell if the playwright is someone who is writing for TYA or simply believes their script would be enjoyable to and/or educational for youth. So that question on the form helps us better understand the playwright’s positionality and where they see the script fitting within our remit and the larger TYA field.
If I click on multiple technical elements on the submission form, will that essentially disqualify me for the series? No, not at all. We’ve had times in the past where something was needed or desired and we didn’t realize until the playwright was on site. So the submission form helps us make sure we have the conversation with the playwrights of the selected scripts prior to the start of the series about what they need and how we can best provide it. It also helps us manage expectations as sometimes we can’t quite provide what is needed but can figure out a suitable or acceptable substitute. If we have a concern, we’ll reach out to the playwright prior to selecting the series to make sure we’re clear on what it is they need so we’ll know if we can provide it or not.
What happens after I submit my script? You should receive a confirmation email from the producer 7-10 business days after your submission. That email will go to the email address provided on the submission form.
How are the scripts selected? Once the readers have finished reviewing the scripts (they have from October 1-November 30 to review them) and offer their thoughts on them, a core team meets (generally in early December) to discuss the season. They first take into account the feedback from the readers then look at other factors including themes, diversity of stories, scheduling conflicts, what will be engaging for the accompanying graduate class, etc. Often this will narrow down the pool from dozens to 10-15 scripts until finally three are selected. For some background on how the season is chosen, HowlRound has published “From Soup to Nuts: Choosing a TYA Play Development Season” written by our producer.
What happens after a script is selected? The producer reaches out to those playwrights whose scripts were selected with an invitation and next steps. Those next steps include confirming dates, selecting a director, and setting up the first of two Zoom meeting that will happen prior to the series to ensure the week of development provides the best experience for the playwright and runs smoothly for all involved. Those whose scripts were not selected receive a thank you with regrets email.
If my script is selected, do I need to participate in all 3 weeks? No, you just need to attend the week your script is developed. Of course, you are welcome to come to the readings for the other scripts but our housing and travel for out-of-state guests only cover the week of development.
Is there compensation? Yes, playwrights receive a modest honorarium. For those coming outside of NYC, we arrange for reasonable travel and no frills accommodations.
Do I need to be on site in NYC to participate? Yes, the playwright is a vital part of the developmental week attending rehearsals, making changes to the script based on what is learned during rehearsals, meeting with the director and dramaturg, having a 30-minute discussion with the accompanying graduate class, etc. during those 7 days.
What’s the time commitment? The time commitment is approximately 30 scheduled hours over the course of 7 days plus the time needed to make revisions on the script based on what is learned during the development rehearsals and any meetings with the director and dramaturg deemed necessary by the creative team. Up to 24 hours of rehearsal (6 rehearsals at 4 hours each) and 3 hours of readings. The development sessions (rehearsals) are in the evenings, Monday through Friday, 6pm-10 p.m. ET. There is a Saturday rehearsal from 1-5pm. Then there are two rehearsed readings – one on Saturday at 7 p.m. and one on Sunday at 2pm. Additionally there are two Zoom meetings prior to the series. One in February and one in April or May, each about an hour long. Please note there will be no rehearsal on Juneteenth so the other rehearsals that week will start at 5pm when that holiday falls on a weekday; when it falls on a weekend, we’ll figure out with the creative team the best option for working around it.
Where is the series held? All development sessions (rehearsals) and rehearsed readings currently take place in the Provincetown Playhouse (133 MacDougal Street) near Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village, NYC.
How are the directors selected? We ask the playwright to select their director. Whenever possible, hiring someone local is great as it is helpful for our budget, but is not a requirement. We’re also happy to provide suggestions if the playwright doesn’t have a director in mind. If the director is international that may not be doable unless they are taking care of their own travel costs.
Where is your pool of actors coming from? Most of our actors are college students (undergraduate and graduate, NYU as well as from other area colleges/universities), NYU Steinhardt alumni, and early career NYC-based actors. Whether we can cast AEA actors depends on AEA rules/guidelines. Actors receive a very modest honorarium for their participation.
How are auditions done? Auditions are held online with the submission form opening on April 1 and closing on April 15. The director and, if desired, playwright have access to all the audition submissions (submission form, headshot, resume, online audition tape) and make their selections from those submissions. They are able to hold online callbacks, if desired.
What’s the graduate class? In conjunction with the series, the Program in Educational Theatre runs a graduate course, Theatre Practices: Problems in Play Production, the Development of New Plays, which studies theories and methods of play development utilizing the series as a laboratory. Students in the class both observe rehearsals and interact with the playwrights, directors, and dramaturgs over the course of the series.
Other questions? For questions, contact Teresa (Producer) at taf263@nyu.edu.
