2026 Summer One-Act Festival Submission Instructions (CLOSED)

Acceptance Info
Scheduling Details
Application details
FAQ

Submission deadlines

Submission Open: April 22, 2026

Official Deadline: May 17, 2026

You may want to print and keep or bookmark these instructions and your original application for your reference.

project Eligibility

Plays are chosen for the Chain Winter One-Act Festival based on originality, inspiration, and innovation.

The background or experience of the playwright and premiere status is taken into consideration, but submissions will be judged on the quality of the play.

  • All themes or genres are welcome.

  • One-Act Play runtime must be no shorter than 10 minutes and no longer than 1 hour. 

  • Shows will be performed in person.

  • Your entire team must be from the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut). We will not be accepting playwrights from any other areas of the country.

  • Chain Theatre is curating the event, not producing it - each production is responsible for staffing their own director, design team and cast.

  • Though the Chain Theatre will be manage overall festival promotion, you are responsible for the marketing of your piece.

  • If you can no longer participate in the Chain Summer One-Act Festival, you must notify us before May 17, 2026.  If the production drops out after you are accepted, you will be disqualified from participating in future Chain Festivals.

Acceptance

Notification of acceptance status will be sent by email on or about May 24, 2026.

Organizational Meeting

  • If you are accepted into the festival, your email will inform you of the location of the organizational meeting to be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 6:30pm.

  • This meeting is where you will receive your performance schedule and meet your fellow participants.

  • IT IS REQUIRED AND MANDATORY THAT SOMEONE REPRESENTING YOUR SHOW BE AT THE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING.

Rehearsals

  • Each accepted ONE ACT show will be given 5 free hours of rehearsal space at one of the Chain Theatre rehearsal rooms.

  • Availability and scheduling of these hours is at the Chain Theatre’s discretion.

  • They must be used to rehearse the show in the festival and cannot be gifted, sold or used for other purposes.

  • Additional rehearsal hours/locations are the production’s responsibility.

  • If you choose to rehearse at one of the Chain Rehearsal studios you can book subsidized rehearsal space for this production for $10 an hour.

Tickets

  • Each accepted show will receive a code for ticket tracking.

  • Each show will receive 20% of the net box office for every ticket purchased using their code. (Code use for online sales is mandatory to receive this box office split. No exceptions.)

Scheduling

Each One-Act show will be guaranteed at least three performances. The number of shows will be based on number of submissions and running lengths.

  • Performance blocks will be at 6:30pm and 8:30pm during the week and will run throughout the weekend between 2:00pm-10:00pm.

  • There will be limited time between shows for changeovers. Keep in mind that when you are striking or setting up your show, another show is also likely striking or setting up. Minimalism rules. PLEASE FACTOR THIS TIME INTO YOUR TECHNICAL PLANS.

  • Houses will be opened 20 minutes before the start time and will start promptly.

  • Tech may be scheduled on weekdays during the day.

AEA Showcase Code

  • If you’re show is under AEA showcase code, your show will not be live streamed as per AEA Rules.

  • Please note, as a Non-Union show you’re unable to cast actors who are in the union with Actors Equity Association. As a non-union show you may not change the union status of the show once your application has been submitted.

livestream

As a non-union show in the Chain One-Act Festival you will receive one livestream performance. Each livestream performance will receive a talkback moderated by the Chain Theatre. Performances may be livestreamed on any laptop, phone, or Roku device.

Application Details

application checklist

  1. The script (PDF only)

  2. Cover letter (PDF only) explaining goals for the play

  3. Contact information

  4. Estimated run time

  5. Technical requirements (no projections are allowed)

Contact Information

Applications ask for a contact name, address, phone, and email.

  • The show contact will be the one contact point between Chain Theatre and your production.

  • This person will be considered your play’s producer should it be part of the Festival.

  • This person will receive all information and is responsible for passing it onto the rest of your team.

  • The contact’s provided email will be the sole email address that Chain Theatre will use to contact you regarding acceptance, any issues regarding participation, and festival communications. 

Run Time

We will need an estimated running time of your piece that will be factored into the programming. As such, we will enforce this time limit. If during your dress rehearsal or performance the play runs significantly over, we may insist that you revise or forfeit your participation in the festival and any ticket split revenue.

Applications that are not complete will not be accepted. No materials will be returned.

ONLY ONE SUBMISSION WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR EACH PLAYWRIGHT

If any false information is given in the application the Chain Theatre will not accept any future submissions from the applicant. Your address, email, name must be accurate.

The deadline for submitting to the 2026 Chain Summer One-Act Festival will be May 17, 2026.  There are no submission or participation fees for the Chain One-Act Festivals.

Submissions are closed 
Submitting a project constitutes acceptance of these Rules & Regulations by you and your agents.
Applications that are not complete will not be accepted.
No materials will be returned.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If you are accepted to the Chain Summer One-Act Festival, part of our agreement prohibits the performance of your show anywhere in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut any time from acceptance into the festival through March 2027.

    Please keep this restriction in mind when accepting other invitations to perform your show during these months, particularly before you have received acceptance status notification from Chain Theatre. Chain Theatre is making an investment in you and your production. We are not previewing your show to take to other festivals and want our mutual efforts of promotion to bring an audience to this production.

    If you can no longer participate in the Chain Winter One-Act Festival, you must notify us before May 24, 2026.  If the production drops out after you are accepted, you will be disqualified from participating in future Chain Festivals.

  • PLEASE INFORM US IN THE APPLICATION IF YOU PLAN ON APPLYING FOR EQUITY SHOWCASE.

    All Equity Showcase paperwork is the responsibility of the producer, not the Chain Theatre. It is crucial that we have this information in advance because it affects our scheduling of the productions for streaming. If you do not plan on applying for Equity Showcase you cannot use Equity Actors.

  • NON UNION shows will LIVESTREAM for at least one performance.

  • Chain Theatre handles all aspects of ticketing and box office. Tickets will be $24 in advance online and $27 at the door.

  • You will need to keep the technical requirements of your show very simple. There will be no projection in shows. The Chain is equipped with a full light board and sound system, however the board will be shared by several shows and we will maintain a standard rep lighting plot. Keep light and sound cues as simple as possible. No show will be able to refocus lights. Each company will have only one cue-to-cue technical rehearsal in the venue which will be run by a Chain Theatre hired PSM. The Chain Theatre PSM will be running lights and sound for all shows at no cost to participants. Storage space/dressing room space is also limited and will be shared by all shows. You will be given a small, unlocked area to store your props, set pieces, and costumes, which must be completely cleared at the conclusion of your performances.

    Any additional equipment your show requires should be listed on your application and will be need to be approved by Chain Theatre. Chain Theatre has the right to disqualify any shows that bring in unapproved technical elements. If approved, this equipment will be provided for your show by you. Chain Theatre assumes no liability for this equipment; it is your responsibility.

  • Chain Theatre will publicize the festival and coordinate overall press relations, including interviews and critic attendance. You may be asked to submit publicity photos and PR materials. You are also responsible for publicizing your own show through your own press releases, mailers, handbills, busking and/or posters. Should a critic accept your invitation to see a performance, this information must be forwarded to Chain Theatre so we may coordinate this. Chain Theatre will provide a blanket press kit to help all shows promote.

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