Carrollwood Players Theatre, Tampa’s longest operating non-profit community theatre, announces a call for submissions of original short plays for Voices of Color, the 2025 One Act Play Festival.

From July 11th – 19th, 2025, Carrollwood Players Theatre will present 8 original short plays focusing on the stories, perspectives and experiences of the BIPOC community.

At each of the 6 performances, audiences will experience all 8 short plays in one theatrical presentation.

We are looking for comedies, dramas, fantasies, mysteries, thrillers, farces, the avant garde, and everything in between. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Plays must be no shorter than 10 minutes performance time and no longer than 15 minutes performance time.

The subject matter of the play must fit within the theme of the festival. We are seeking to tell stories about all aspects of the BIPOC experience.

Submission deadline is 5 p.m. eastern on Friday, April 11th, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered. Early submissions are encouraged!

We will accept a maximum of two short plays from each playwright. 

There is no submission fee.

We will accept submissions of English language scripts from anywhere in the world.

Due to the large number of submissions we receive, we regret we cannot individually acknowledge the receipt or status of your submission. Writers of plays selected for the festival will be notified.

The selected plays will be announced by Carrollwood Players Theatre in early May of 2025.

Plays must be submitted electronically in PDF format. We will not accept any scripts by mail.

We prefer plays with a cast requirement ranging from 3-6 people and the ability to be performed on a simple, representational stage.

We prefer submissions written by members of the BIPOC community, but we will consider all submissions.

Your PDF script submission must include a cover page with the playwright’s name, city/state/country, phone number and email address as well as a 1 paragraph description/synopsis of the play (sell us your play!) and a character/casting breakdown.

Carrollwood Players Theatre will select plays to be presented in the festival.

If selected, Carrollwood Players will appoint a director and organize the casting and production of your play at our festival.

Carrollwood Players does not pay a royalty for performances of your short play in the festival, however there is a cash prize for the first and second place plays as determined by audience voting. There is a $100 prize for first place and a $50 prize for second place. Playwrights will also receive complimentary admission to attend a performance if desired.

To begin the script submission process, please click HERE.

Individuals local to the Tampa area who are interested in directing a play or performing in a play may email a letter of interest, along with a headshot or photo and resume to info@carrollwoodplayers.org