Posted by spindle collective
CALL FOR HORROR-THEATRE PLAYS
SPINDLE COLLECTIVE / ELDRITCH THEATRE – TORONTO, ON
Date Production Starts: January 2027
Pay Rate: $500 honorarium per theatre project
Deadline to Submit: October 31st, 2026
Production Name: DEAD OF WINTER Season II: The Toronto Horror-Theatre Festival
Contact Name: Natalia Bushnik
Contact Email: spindle.theatre.co@gmail.com
Ethno-cultural mandate: spindle collective (with the generous support of Eldritch Theatre) welcome and encourage submissions from all artists. We champion artists who represent the entire spectrum of identities, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. We seek exciting and diverse stories that explore whatever ‘horror-theatre’ means to you!
Additional Information: After the massive success of the 2026 event, spindle collective (with the generous support of Eldritch Theatre) will present Season II of “Dead of Winter: The Toronto Horror Theatre Festival”. We are accepting eight original short theatre works to be included in the programming of the festival. Chosen projects will have access to free rehearsal slots at the Red Sandcastle Theatre in Toronto, ON for a min. of 10 hrs prior to the festival. This festival provides an opportunity for the horror-loving community to get together and explore, experiment, and stage some peculiar and unsettling ideas!
Breakdown: The festival will take place January 21 – 31, 2027. Each work will have four performance slots over the course of the festival. Each work will be programmed within a curated night consisting of three plays and one musician/band. Each theatre project will receive a $500 honorarium. Theatre works can range between 10 – 30 minutes max in length, and can be text-based, multidisciplinary, clown, etc. Each theatre project is responsible for the direction, casting and rehearsal of their own piece – 10 hrs min. of rehearsal space will be provided. Each team must be able to set and strike props and set within a 5 minute window. A technician/stage manager will be provided to guide each team through their tech days. spindle collective will provide producing and marketing support, as well as guidance in Equity forms if applicable. Both Equity and Non-Equity performers welcome, as we are operating under a special agreement of the Equity Festival Policy. Equity insurance fees will be covered by spindle collective.
Submission Requirements:
Please state your EQUITY status, and submit your CV and/or:
- 10 pages max of print material of either the play you are submitting, a sample of a previous work, and/or a description of the project you will create (especially if it is not primarily text-based).
- Archival footage if possible. This is particularly encouraged for multidisciplinary works, such as pieces involving puppetry, clown or dance.
- The approximate length of your play.
- Please also include a letter of interest describing your artistic practice, the type of creation styles that excite you, and/or what horror-theatre means to you. This letter can be in written, video, or audio format; whichever you find most accessible.
Email your materials with the subject line “HORROR-THEATRE SUBMISSION – Artist Name” to spindle.theatre.co@gmail.com by October 31st, 2026 at 11pm. Select applicants may be asked to participate in an interview, with final decisions made by November 30th. If you require accommodations for your submission, or have any questions regarding the project / process, please feel free to reach out to us.
Thank you to all who submit, and stay spooky!