Playwright Information and FAQ
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If your script is selected for a workshop reading:

• We will work with you to decide which half hour section you would like to hear read. We do ask that the section is continuous, rather than a skip-around of scenes.
• You’re welcome to continue to work on the script before the reading. We’ll ask for an updated version a month-three weeks prior to your date.
• We call our readings ‘cold-ish.’ We pre-cast some of the roles from our actors and cast some roles from the community that evening. As these are community events, we do not rehearse prior to the reading.
• Each live reading features two scripts/playwrights.
• After each script, we have a community conversation around playwright questions. We typically break into small groups then come back together for a full room chat.

 
Frequently Asked Questions

I don't live in New York, can I still submit a script?
Yes! We love and support writers from all over.
Since the purpose of our workshop readings is to assist in development, it is important to us that the playwright is present for our readings. Since we are not able to provide travel funding, we know that for many writers, one of our fabulous but intimate readings may not be the right financial choice at this time.
As of our Winter/Spring 2022 Season, our seasons will typically include at least one online reading.

I am not a woman. Can I still submit a script?
Yes! Our primary aim is to examine and challenge the roles being written for women. We’d love to hear from all writers.

May I submit more than one script?
Go forth and submit as many works as you wish. Please make sure, however, each submission meets our guidelines.  

Do you accept musicals?
We do accept musicals. Because of the nature of our readings, we are limited in what we can present; when we have workshopped musicals in the past, we have simply read the lyrics and/or featured dialogue-heavy selections. We consider whether the playwright's goals and needs make sense for our readings - if what you need for development is specifically related to music/songs, we may not be the right venue for you.

Do you accept one-woman shows?
We are happy to read one-woman shows, although - again, because of the nature of our readings - they are a harder 'sell', as it were. 

Do you accept short/10-minute plays? 
We do! And we have workshopped 10 minute plays in the past. We also accept the beginnings of incomplete scripts.

Does the whole play have to be just two women talking about not-sex?
No. Your script can have as many characters as you want, and they can talk about all kinds of things.

Including sex and relationships?
Yes, including that. The Bechdel Test stipulates that at least one scene contains two women talking about something else. However, please familiarize yourself with our submission guidelines, which includes some handy tips.

But I have this amazing script with an incredibly layered and dimensional female character! Can’t I submit it anyway?
We know there are many, many, many amazing roles for women in plays and films that do not pass the Bechdel Test. This series, though, is for plays and screenplays that do.  Yes, not every script that passes the test is something that moves the needle, and yes, there are many scripts that do not pass that have amazing roles for women and do amazing things for theatre. But we want both. We want women to talk to each other. That is what our company does. Please read the submission guidelines.
 
I submitted a script previously that was not selected. May I submit it again?
While in general, we would prefer new work from you, you are welcome to resubmit scripts that you have revised since they were last submitted.
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You sure harp on about the guidelines, don’t you?
I'll tell you, my cats are really tired of listening to me rant on and on about the number of scripts we get that don’t meet our guidelines. You can read more about that here, if you’d like.
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