The 2025 10-Minute Play Contest

SOME of the WINNERS From 2023: Age is Just a Number, Isn’t It? – by Kia Barbee / Austin Brannan, Javier Soto; Rhapsody – by John Michael DiResta / Amanda Lederer, Sigrid Wise; A Marriage is a story we tell and keep telling – by Danielle Frimmer

“More Fun than a Barrel of LGBT Playwrights!” – Well, we agree with that press, but this is also about career-building, and showing the incredible range and diversity in the minds of current LGBTQ writers.

Over 1 Week: March 24-30, 2025 up to 24 LGBTQ shorts will compete during three evenings of performances, with cash awards each night and a chance to participate in our Main Stage Festival later in the season. The application deadline for this 2025 10-Minute LGBTQ Plays is Feb. 20, 2025.

This full-format version of our traditional 10-Minute LGBTQ Play contest will be held at the famous Theatre for The New City on 1st Avenue near 14th Street.

HOW IT WORKS: Three evenings of 8 plays each, and the top two winners each night receive cash prizes and become Semi-Finalists moving on to our finals on the weekend. Winners are chosen by Audience ballots, plus a Judge’s technical pick will be added. A total of nine plays will compete in the finals for grand prizes, and the top 4 will later be part of our 2025 MAINSTAGE Festival. Basic set pieces and tech rehearsal will be provided, but all plays must be self produced and ready by competition day.

As with all our artist events, thanks to the Department of Cultural Affairs there are NO Submission Fees. EVER.