Open Call for 10-Minute Play Scripts  

 

Deaf Spotlight is seeking for showcase original, never-been-produced, 10-minute plays by Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing playwrights. Those chosen will be fully produced as part of our biennial one-act theatrical festival in Spring 2021. 

 

Submissions of original ten-minute plays will be accepted starting December 1, 2019. The submission deadline is October 31, 2020.   

 

Up to three 10-minute submissions will be accepted per playwright.  

 

The number of plays to be produced will be at Deaf Spotlight's discretion and will depend on the field of qualified submissions. Original plays accepted for the festival will be announced between November 16 to 20, 2020. The selected plays will be given a full production within the capabilities and budget of Deaf Spotlight.  

 

The audience will have an opportunity to vote for the best play at the festival, and the selected playwright will get a monetary award to work further on the same script or create a new script.  

 

Play Submission Guidelines 

• The writer must be Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing to qualify for this festival.

• Submission must be an original, unproduced 10-minute play at time of submission.  

• YES: Plays that have had staged readings will be accepted.  

• NO:  Plays that have received full productions prior to submission, either professional or amateur, will not be accepted.  

• Legal clearance of materials not in the public domain is the full responsibility of the playwright. 

• Only up to 3 plays may be submitted by each playwright. 

• Maximum Length: 10 pages, not including title pages.  

• Rule of thumb: 1 page = 1 minute. Play should run in the 10-minute range. Longer submissions will not be considered. 

• Scripts may be in any genre. This will be done in a black box theater style.  

• Simple set and costume needs, and minimal technical requirements. Only basic furniture and minimal props available for the production. 

• MANDATORY Setting: a BATHROOM with a bathtub, a sink with cabinet, a mirror-built-in-cabinet and a toilet seat. 

• Your script can have only 1, or up to 8 characters. 

• Scripts must be submitted with pages numbered.  

• The title page must include the following information:  

• playwright’s name 

• mailing address 

• phone number 

• email address 

• a brief biography (up to 150 words) 

• headshot 

• social media (optional) 

• website (optional) 

• International submissions are welcome. All scripts must be in American Sign Language (ASL) and/or English. 

• SUBMIT YOUR PLAY(S) ONLINE.

• Submissions must be received by Deaf Spotlight by Saturday - October 31, 2020 to be considered. PDF files ONLY. (If you don’t have program to convert into PDF then Microsoft Word attachment will be accepted.) No other formats will be accepted. 

• Alternative option: you can mail your submission to: Deaf Spotlight, PO BOX 20191, Seattle, WA 98102. Mailed submissions must be securely bound, with a title page containing full contact and bio information as outlined above. Mailed submissions must be postmarked by October 31, 2020. 

• There is a submission fee of $30 for up to 3 scripts. You may pay via PayPal to  or mail a check to Deaf Spotlight, PO BOX 20191, Seattle, WA 98102.  

• All submitting playwrights will receive an email notification upon receipt of their scripts. Notification of final decisions will be made by email between November 2 - 13, 2020. 

• All play submissions will be handled with care. However, Deaf Spotlight assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged scripts. 

• Scripts will not be returned. Scripts not selected will be stored in our archives for potential use in future. We will get in touch with you for your permission to use the script beforehand.  

• Selections will be made by Deaf Spotlight, and inclusion in the festival is solely at their discretion. All decisions are final.  

• If selected, your headshot and bio will be featured on our website and social media.