3rd Annual New Kids Play Fest 2026
On the Boulevard | July 10-11, 2026
Dates to Know
Submissions Due - July 1
Finalists Announced - July 6
Fast Facts
Playwrights of all ages, as individuals or teams, are invited to submit original scripts for youth-appropriate plays that tell stories for the kids of today.
Original concepts, adaptations of public-domain works, or reimaginings of familiar classics are welcomed (think fairy-tales with a twist, a stage version of your favorite children’s literature from the 19th century, or a brand new tale made to resonate with the youth of 2026).
Submissions may be short plays (under 20 minutes), one acts (under 60 minutes), or full-length shows (under 90 minutes) but should be complete – no excerpts, please.
Selected plays will be presented at FPCTA on the Boulevard July 10th and 11th in a public concert-style reading. You can bring your own actors or have volunteers from Fantasy perform your piece.
FAQ
Can I submit more than one play?
Yes, but you must submit a form separately for each.
Am I required to attend the festival if my show is chosen?
We hope that all selected playwrights can be in attendance to coordinate their reading, receive feedback from adjudicators and the audience, and generally just enjoy the festival. If this is absolutely not possible for you, we may be able to include you through a video call.
Can my play have been performed before, or does it need to be unproduced work?
Submissions that have been performed, submitted to other competitions (such as Trumbauer or Thespians), or workshopped before are fine – as are submissions that haven’t been any of those things! However, submissions may NOT be published or available for licensing elsewhere.
How do you define “youth-appropriate” and “family-friendly”?
Submissions should be free of cursing, slurs, and other offensive language. The plays should not include graphic violence or gore (swashbuckling adventure fights, Saturday morning cartoon action, or slapstick comedy conflict are examples of what might be acceptable instead). Romance should stay at a PG-rating onstage with dancing, hugging, hand-holding, and true-love’s kiss at the very most.
While plays designed for teens to perform and compete with may be more intense than other submissions, please bear in mind that Fantasy Playhouse always strives to promote values of kindness, inclusion, and diversity in a space that is safe for everyone. Submissions that are hateful, harmful, or otherwise inappropriate for a wide audience will not be considered.