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SUBMISSIONS
ARE OPEN!!!

The 7th Annual Obsidian Theatre Festival. 

Detroit, MI. June 24-27, 2027

SEEKING

The OBSIDIAN THEATRE FESTIVAL is seeking new work by emerging Black creatives for its upcoming festival: June 24-27, 2027

 

CATEGORIES

Plays

Musicals

Choreography

 

As part of the four-day festival, select pieces will be staged, rehearsed, produced, performed, and filmed. Pieces will be presented for live audiences, as well as professionally filmed and streamed for global audiences visiting Obsidian’s website later in the year. 

 

MULTIPLE STAGES

Submitted pieces will be eligible and considered for production on one of three Obsidian Stages. 

 

The Obsidian Main Stage presents fully produced works for a minimum of 2 performances.   Each play or musical will receive a minimum of two (2) performances during the festival week.

 

The Obsidian Showcase presents readings, staged readings, and workshops of new and developing work. Each play or musical will receive 1-2 performances during the festival week.

 

The Obsidian Dance Theatre presents various pieces of original choreography.

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(Each new play or musical submission will be eligible and considered for production on either stage; writers may note their preference.)

 

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DUE DATE

Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis.  Submissions received by Sunday, September 13, 11:59pm EST will be eligible for production during the 2027 season.  Any submissions received after 12:00am EST, Monday, September 14th, will be eligible for production during the 2028 season.

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Key Dates

  • Rolling Submissions for 2027 Season close September 13, 11:59 PM EST

  • Rolling Submissions for 2028 Season open September 14, 12:00 AM EST

  • 2027 Semi-Finalist Notification by November 30, 2026 

  • 2027 Finalist Notification December 2026

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SUBMISSION CRITERION 

  • Plays and Musicals no shorter than 30 minutes and no longer than 120 minutes 

  • Dance/Choreography Submissions no shorter than 5 minutes and no longer than 20 minutes. Max 8 dancers per piece

  • Submitted works are not eligible if they have already received a First or Off-Broadway Production.

  • Applicants are encouraged to submit works that address a current sociopolitical issue or topic.

  • Video Submissions will not be accepted for Plays and Musicals.

  • No more than 150 submissions will be accepted. (all submissions received after the season limit is met will automatically be eligible for the following season)

 

REQUIRED SUBMISSION MATERIALS

PLAYS

  • Your "Best 10 Pages".  This submission will be used in the first round of adjudication. note: the 10 pages do not have to be consecutive.

  • A full, current, and complete script/libretto.

  • Headshot & Resume

 

MUSICALS

  • Your "Best 10 Pages".  This submission will be used in the first round of adjudication. note: the 10 pages do not have to be consecutive.

  • A full, current, and complete script/libretto.

  • Headshots & Resumes for all writers, composers, and librettists.

  • Musical Documentation for two (2) pieces. (Musical Theatre Submissions Only)

  • Recordings of 2-3 musical selections (Musical Theatre Submissions Only)

 

CHOREOGRAPHY

  • Headshots & Resumes for all choreographers

  • A 1-2 Minute video of the submission concept. (Dance Only)

  • A video of a previously completed piece. (Dance Only)

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COMPENSATION

Selected writers will be paid a licensing fee as compensation for live production and streaming rights.

  • $750 USD (Main Stage)

  • $500 USD (Showcase).

  • $500 USD (Choreography of 10-20 minutes)

  • $300 USD (Choreography of 5-10 minutes)

 

Note: Each accepted submission will receive one (1) fee in the total amount paid to the individual who authored the submission. Teams will be responsible for splitting the submission fee amongst themselves.

FAQ

 

Question: Do you have to live in Detroit to participate/submit your piece?

Answer: No.

 

Question: Can I submit if my play/musical is less than 30 minutes long?

Answer: No. Although we ask for a sample of 10-pages, the festival  is not a 10-minute play festival. 

 

Question: Can I still submit my piece if it has already had a reading or has been produced somewhere else?

Answer: While we encourage new work, we also support the developmental process.  If your piece is in development, has had a reading, or has been produced at smaller theatres then send it along. 

 

Question: Can I submit more than one piece?

Answer: Yes, however, no more than two submissions per playwright will be permitted. Playwright’s submitting more than two works will be removed from the submission process. 

 

Question: Will I be responsible for producing my own play or musical?

Answer: Pieces selected for the Main Stage will be fully produced. OTF will provide directorial;, design, FOH support, etc. Pieces selected for the Showcase Stage will be produced by OTF as pieces in development with minimal props and wardrobe pieces. All pieces will receive stage and production management, marketing, and front of house support.

 

Question: What support will be provided for my dance piece?

Answer: Choreographers selected for the Dance Theatre Stage will receive a stipend ranging from $300-$500 and support with light wardrobe pieces and props. All dancers will be paid a $200 stipend. Choreographers will also receive four (4) hours of complimentary rehearsal studio time, two (2) hours of tech time, stage and production management, marketing, and front of house support.

 

Question: Do I have to pay my own artists?

Answer: Nope. We support all artists.

 

Question: What do you mean by filmed?

Answer: The Obsidian Theatre Festival is captured  with a multi-camera shoot in the theatre during the festival.  The captured footage will then be edited and streamed globally on the GhostLight platform.

 

Question: Do I get to keep a copy of the recording?

Answer: All participating artists will have access to the final edited version of their piece for marketing and promotional purposes.

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