Call For Submissions
The Big BEar theatre Project Playwrights Lab
Creating Worlds Playwright Festival 2026
Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm
The Big Bear Theatre Project invites playwrights to submit proposals for our inaugural Playwrights Lab - a two-week intensive development program culminating in public readings at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center.
Read details below.
Theme: "Creating Worlds"
“They fear love because it creates a world they can’t control.”
— attributed to George Orwell, 1984
We invite writers to immerse themselves in the power of make-believe and explore how we build realities through love, resistance, and imagination. How do we create worlds that challenge the status quo? What happens when our visions collide with structures of power? Where do we find the freedom to imagine differently? Come to Big Bear and bring this world to life - a 10-minute piece, just 2 characters, and your imagination.
Program Details
Dates: August 1–17, 2026
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Phase 1 (Aug 1–5): Community building and script refinement
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Phase 2 (Aug 6–10): Workshop rehearsals with professional actors and directors
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Phase 3 (Aug 13–16): Public readings in a black box theatre with post-show talkbacks
What We Provide:
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Professional actors and directors for your piece Dramaturgical support and peer feedback
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Rehearsal and performance space at the Big Bear Performing Arts Center
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Artist stipend
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Housing in Big Bear for the duration of the program
Note: Playwrights are responsible for their own travel to and from Big Bear.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Writing Sample (required - 10 pages)
A 10-page excerpt from a complete play (10–60 minutes) OR 10-minute play that demonstrates your writing ability. This should be previously written work, not the play you will develop in the lab. PDF format.
2. Concept Proposal (1–2 paragraphs; 500 words max)
Describe the new play you want to create during the lab. To the best of your ability, outline the story, plot, or experience of your piece in response to the prompt. How does it engage with the “Creating Worlds” theme? What questions are you exploring? This is the piece you’ll workshop and present in August.
3. Artist Statement (1 paragraph; 200 words max)
Tell us about your artistic practice and why you want to participate in this lab.
4. Bio (150 words max)
Brief professional biography.
5. Anything else you would like us to know
SELECTION CRITERIA
We will select 5 playwrights based on:
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Quality and originality of writing
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Compelling interpretation of the theme
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Feasibility for development in this format
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Diversity of voices, perspectives, and storytelling approaches
IMPORTANT DATES
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Submission deadline: May 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm
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Playwrights notified: Late-June 2026
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Lab begins: August 1, 2026
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Public performances: August 13–16, 2026
ELIGIBILITY
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Open to all playwrights. We especially encourage submissions from writers who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, disabled, and from other historically underrepresented communities.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Please Fill out the submission form below, or send all materials to: playlab@bigbeartheatreproject.org
Subject line: Playwrights Lab Submission – [Your Last Name]
Questions? Contact: bbtp.playlab@gmail.com
Please Fill out the form below
If you are having trouble submitting your material via the form, you may email it to bbtp.playlab@gmail.com