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2027 New Voices Application & Play Submission

One-Act play submissions and applications are open for the 37th New Voices for the Theater playwriting competition. Applicants in 9-12th grade that live in Virginia are eligible for the competition. Submissions will be open from September 17, 2026 to January 7, 2027.

Six winners will be selected and offered to participate in a one-week online intensive playwriting workshop and a one-week in-person rehearsal process to prepare for the 36th Festival of New Works on June 27, 2027

The New Voices residency will take place from June 14 to 27, 2027. The first week (June 14 to 17) will take place via virtual workshops. The second week (June 21 to 27) will take place in-person at VCU dormitories and SPARC campus in Richmond, VA. More information can be found at SPARC NEW VOICES

NEW! SPARC is piloting an extension of the New Voices for the Theatre program that will be housed in partnership with Firehouse Theatre. This year two of the six winners will be awarded the opportunity to participate in a Firehouse Theatre Pop-Up Premiere! Participants will return to Richmond July 24-31, 2027 for an in-person residency at VCU dormitories and SPARC campus. More information can be found at SPARC NEW VOICES
1.First Name(Required.)
2.Last Name(Required.)
3.Preferred Name
4.Student Email Address(Required.)
5.School Name(Required.)
6.Play Title(Required.)
7.Street Address(Required.)
8.City(Required.)
9.State(Required.)
10.ZIP Code(Required.)
11.Student Phone Number(Required.)
12.Are you currently enrolled in a high school program in the state of Virginia?(Required.)
13.School Address(Required.)
14.Sponsoring Teacher (if applicable) 
15.How did you hear about New Voices?(Required.)
16.Current Grade(Required.)
17.Parent/Guardian First Name(Required.)
18.Parent/Guardian Last Name(Required.)
19.Parent/Guardian Mobile Phone Number(Required.)
20.Parent/Guardian Email(Required.)
21.Your response to the following will have no bearing on your selection to participate in the June 14-28 session of the program.

If you are selected would your schedule allow for returning to Richmond July 24-31 to participate in the Firehouse Theatre pop-Up Premiere? Learn more about Firehouse Theatre and SPARC's partnership at SPARC NEW VOICES(Required.)