2027 Lewis Play Festival – Short Play Submissions.

Submissions open November 1, 2026, and close December 31, 2026.

2027 Theme: THINGS WE BURY

Some things are buried to be forgotten. Others are buried to be protected. And some refuse to stay buried at all.

Secrets. Memories. Regrets. Truths. Treasures. Embarrassing moments. Family skeletons. That one thing you swore you'd never tell anyone. The past has a funny way of finding its way back to the surface, sometimes when we least expect it.

For the 2027 Lewis Play Festival, we invite playwrights to explore the theme "Things We Bury" through original 10–15 minute plays.

What do we choose to hide? What happens when something long buried is finally revealed? Are some things better left beneath the surface? And what happens when the truth comes out at the absolute worst possible moment?

While the theme may suggest secrets, loss, or regret, we're just as interested in the hilarious, ridiculous, and absurd things people try to bury. A family secret that spirals out of control, a spectacularly bad decision someone desperately wants to forget, or a literal hole in the backyard that raises more questions than answers—the possibilities are endless.

Whether your interpretation is dramatic, comedic, mysterious, heartfelt, darkly humorous, or completely unexpected, we encourage bold storytelling, compelling characters, and creative approaches to the theme.

Five original plays will be selected for live production at The Lewis Theatre on March 19 & 20, 2027.

Submission Guidelines

• Play Length: We are seeking original plays with a running time of 10–15 minutes. Scripts should not exceed 15 pages, excluding the title page, character list, and synopsis.

• Original Works: Submissions must be original works written by the submitting playwright. Scripts must not have previously received a fully staged public production. Plays that have participated in workshops or staged readings are eligible.

• Theme Requirement: All submissions must meaningfully connect to the 2027 festival theme, "Things We Bury."We welcome literal, metaphorical, comedic, dramatic, and unconventional interpretations. The theme should play a meaningful role in the story, its characters, or its central conflict.

• Production Requirements: Scripts should be suitable for a small theatrical production with minimal set pieces, props, and technical requirements. Elaborate scene changes, special effects, and complicated staging should be avoided.

• Genre: Comedies, dramas, mysteries, and other theatrical styles are welcome. Musicals and screenplays will not be considered.

• Cast Size: Playwrights are encouraged to write for small casts, ideally two to five characters, to accommodate festival production needs.

• Anonymous Submissions: To ensure a fair and impartial judging process, the playwright's name or any identifying information must not appear anywhere within the submitted script, including the title page, headers, footers, or file name. Playwright contact information and identifying details will be collected separately through the online submission form.

• Character List & Synopsis: Each submission must include a list of characters with brief descriptions and a one-paragraph synopsis of the play.

• Submission Format: Scripts must be submitted electronically as PDF files through the official festival submission form. Printed, mailed, or emailed submissions will not be accepted.

• Submission Limit: Only one play may be submitted per playwright.

• Submission Fee: There is no fee to submit a play to The Lewis Play Festival.

• Eligibility: Submissions are welcome from playwrights regardless of geographic location. There are no residency restrictions.

• Selection & Judging: Five plays will be selected based on the quality of the written scripts. Submissions will be reviewed for originality, storytelling, character development, dialogue, creative interpretation of the theme, and suitability for live production. Awards will be determined by the judging of the scripts and playwrights' work, not by the live performances, acting, directing, or audience response.

• Permission to Perform: By submitting a play to The Lewis Play Festival, the playwright agrees that, if selected, their work may be cast, rehearsed, and publicly performed by The Lewis Theatre as part of the festival on March 19 & 20, 2027. Playwrights retain ownership and copyright of their original work. This permission applies only to the festival production and does not transfer ownership or other rights to The Lewis Theatre.

• Production: The Lewis Theatre will coordinate directors, auditions, casting, and rehearsals for the five selected plays. Auditions are scheduled for February 1–2, 2027, with rehearsals taking place throughout February and March.

• Notification: Selected playwrights will be contacted on January 18, 2027. The five selected plays will be publicly announced on January 25, 2027.

Festival Awards

Five original plays will be selected for presentation at The Lewis Theatre, with three playwrights receiving cash awards recognizing outstanding original playwriting.

  • First Place — $150

  • Second Place — $75

  • Third Place — $50

Awards will be determined through the script review and judging process, based on the playwright's original written work.

Live performances, acting, directing, and audience response will not factor into the selection of award recipients.

All five selected plays will be performed during the festival, providing playwrights the opportunity to see their original work brought to life on stage.

Important Dates

November 1, 2026
Submissions Open
December 31, 2026
Submission Deadline
January 1–16, 2026
Submission Review & Judging
January 18, 2027
Selected Playwrights Notified
January 25, 2027
Selected Plays Publicly Announced
February 1–2, 2027
Actor & Director Auditions
February–March 2027
Rehearsals (Schedule TBA)
March 19 & 20, 2027
The Lewis Play Festival Performances

FAQs

  • Not at all! "Things We Bury" is intentionally open to interpretation. Your play might explore secrets, emotions, memories, relationships, embarrassing mistakes, or actual buried objects. We welcome creative approaches to the theme.

  • Absolutely! We encourage comedy, satire, farce, dark humor, drama, mystery, and everything in between. The theme is not intended to limit writers to serious or somber subjects. Sometimes the things we bury are downright hilarious.

  • Yes, provided it has not received a fully staged public production, is your original work, and meaningfully connects to the festival theme.

  • No. All submitted plays must have an estimated running time of 10–15 minutes to accommodate the festival program.

  • No. Each playwright may submit one play for consideration.

  • To maintain fairness, scripts will be reviewed without the playwright's identity attached. Your name and contact information will be collected through the submission form, but should not appear on the script itself or in the PDF file name.

  • No. Submissions are welcome from playwrights anywhere. There are no geographic restrictions.

  • No. The Lewis Theatre will coordinate auditions, casting, directors, and rehearsals for the selected plays.

  • Playwrights are encouraged to attend the performances, but attendance is not required.

  • Selected playwrights will be notified on January 18, 2027. The five selected plays will be announced publicly on January 25. The Lewis Theatre will then coordinate the casting, rehearsals, and production of the selected works.

  • Yes. By submitting your play, you agree that The Lewis Theatre may produce and publicly perform it during the March 19–20, 2027 festival if it is selected. You retain ownership and copyright of your original script.

  • A judging panel will review the submitted scripts and select five plays for production. First, second, and third place will be determined by the quality of the written work, including originality, dialogue, character development, storytelling, and interpretation of the theme.

    The live performances, actors, directors, and audience reactions will not influence the playwright awards.

  • The five selected plays will be publicly announced on January 25, 2027. Award placements will be communicated separately.

  • No. There is no charge to submit a play.

  • All five selected plays will be presented at The Lewis Theatre in Lewisburg, West Virginia, on March 19 and 20, 2027.

Ready to Submit?

Please be sure you have read all of the guidelines, important dates and FAQs before submitting. If you have any questions, please contact us.

SUBMIT YOUR PLAY NOW