Posted by The Emerging Playwrights Reading Series
Submissions are due by June 15th, 2025 at 11:59 EST
The Emerging Playwrights Reading Series (EPRS) is a juried series of staged readings showcasing new Canadian plays from self-identifying early career playwrights. The Series was created by Liza Hersh and Aurora McClennan as a response to feedback surrounding the challenges associated with transitioning into professional spaces.
EPRS is now accepting applications to the second ever reading series. The series will take place over the course of one week in January 2026, with rehearsal days during the week culminating in two public readings of each play on the weekend. Exact dates and times will be announced at a later date.
Each play submission will be reviewed by a panel of jury members including established and emerging artists in Toronto’s theatre community. Jury members will be announced in the coming weeks. Selected playwrights will be contacted by the end of July.
All selected playwrights receive:
- producing support
- rehearsal space
- director
- cast
- stage manager
- one (1) share of all profits for their reading (box office + fundraising minus expenses); however, pending grant funding playwrights will receive fees in line with CAEA’s Indie 3.0 ($365 + profit share or $665).
Please note that we are unable to cover travel costs or accommodations for those who do not reside in Toronto.
Playwrights are welcome to submit more than one script as separate entries. Plays with multiple authors are welcome to be submitted as well – each answer should be laid out in the same order as names on the script (i.e. every answer should be formatted “Writer 1 answer; Writer 2 answer; Writer 3 answer”).
Submitted plays author names must match names submitted via this form. Playwrights whose work was featured in the 2024 EPRS will not be considered for this years’ series.
The Emerging Playwrights Reading Series is dedicated to ensuring at least 1/3 of plays presented are written by writers from the BIPOC communities. You will have the option to self-identify on the application.
Should you have any questions regarding the project and the submission process, or require any assistance in completing the submission form, please contact us at emergingplaywrights@gmail.com.
Submission Criteria
- Plays must be less than 90 minutes read time
- Submitted plays cannot have received a professional staged production previously (however can have been through previous workshops)
- Any play with more than 5 characters must have the ability to double cast
- Does not have full cast or production team attached
- Playwrights must identify as early career, which is not defined by age but of experience as a playwright.
- We are happy to accept submissions from anyone 18+
To be considered, please submit a maximum 1-page outline, and a 5-10 page sample from the script being submitted. Please note: Submitted plays do not need to be completed at the time of submission, but must be completed by October 2025.
Application form: https://forms.gle/ycRmsCg5APYDBgUr8
Website for more information: https://emergingplaywrightsreadingseries.carrd.co/