The Festival serves to nurture and showcase Northwest playwrights. It produces annually a slate of short plays, selected based on merit, providing festival playwrights the opportunity to further develop their craft and promote their work.

[The 2026 Festival submission window is now closed] Entries for the 2026 Festival must be submitted online, using the application and consent form below. All submissions must be received on January 15, 2026.

• Playwrights residing in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, British Columbia, and Alberta are eligible to submit for the festival.
• A playwright may submit no more than two (2) plays to the Festival.
• Submission restrictions:
  • Plays must have a running time of 30 minutes or less.
  • Submissions must be in standard play format.
  • There are no restrictions on content, except no musicals.
  • Plays must be submitted “blind,” with no name on the script nor any identifying information within the script.
  • Submissions must not have been previously professionally produced
  • Please do not re-submit scripts that have been previously submitted, unless substantially revised.
• The script should include a character breakdown.
• Any questions should be directed to playwrights@spokanecivictheatre.com.

The Festival provides each play selected a fully-rehearsed production, with the opportunity for the playwright to participate in the rehearsal process and revise the script up until the festival production deadline (usually about 10 days before opening). Revisions after this date are only allowed if the director determines in their discretion that further revisions will not jeopardize the quality of the performance. (Playwrights are strongly encouraged to attend as much of the rehearsal process and Festival as possible, and to attend in the moderated post-performance talkbacks with the audience).

We ask that playwrights keep in mind that festival productions are “bare-bones” in nature, with elemental light and sound capabilities along with limited costumes and props. A standard number of set pieces will be made available to directors such as chairs, tables, sofas/couch, door/doorframe, and the like. To the extent necessary, the play program will provide additional information to assist the audience in understanding the setting. The Festival Committee reserves the right to take into consideration in the selection process script production requirements of a more demanding nature. Also, if a play is selected that requires unique costumes or props, the director may request the playwright provide these items in a timely manner.

To receive information about directing for the 2026 Festival, please email your contact information and resume to playwrights@spokanecivictheatre.com

Actors interested in participating in the Festival can find audition information available here in April 2026.