The Show Must Go On

Calling all New England playwrights! The Belmont Dramatic Club seeks scripts for an evening of short plays to be performed as a set for 5 nights in Belmont, MA, this November. Please read the announcement carefully to ensure your submission adheres to our guidelines.


The Show Must Go On is BDC’s first ever festival of short plays! What does the theme mean to you? Is your play about the trials and tribulations in the world of theatre, and the things that go wrong with the creation of art? Or maybe your characters are meeting their partner’s parents for the first time, or interviewing for their dream job.

What kind of show is it, and how are your characters reacting? How do you envision the idea of performing under pressure? We’re looking for each playwright’s take on the theme, which must be the focal point of each submitted play.

Submission criteria:
• Plays must be 10-20 minutes, 20 pages or less.
• Cast size must be between 2-5 actors.
• Writers are encouraged to include roles for actors across a wide spectrum of race, gender expression, religion, age, body type, and ability.
• New and previously performed plays are welcome.
• Published plays are permitted; the playwright must own the rights.
• Plays must be royalty-free. Playwrights will not receive monetary compensation for selected plays. If selected for performance, playwrights will receive two free tickets to any performance.
• Scripts with significant technical demands will not be considered. The show will have a simple stage set-up with minimum prop, set, costume, and lighting requirements.