Annual Call for Scripts

Native Voices at the Autry is the nation’s premier Equity theatre company dedicated to the development and production of new works for the stage by Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nations artists. We accept full-length play submissions year-round, but to be considered for the specific events listed below all submissions must be received by the specified due date.

Full-Length Plays (60+ pages)

Submissions due September 14, 2012

2013 Playwrights Retreat and Festival of New Plays

The retreat/festival brings artists together from across the globe to continue work on a select number of plays through a rigorous directorial and dramaturgical commitment for a week in June, with public presentations at the Autry National Center. Selected playwrights receive directorial and dramaturgical support as well as an honorarium; out-of-town artists receive roundtrip airfare plus lodging in Southern California.

Selection Process: Full-length plays (60+ pages) received by September 14, 2012, will be read and evaluated for each event. A select number of playwrights will be invited to submit formal proposals detailing their developmental goals should their play be chosen. Scripts will then be sent to a committee of nationally recognized theatre artists for further evaluation. With their help, Native Voices selects up to five plays for the Playwrights Retreat and Festival of New Plays. Playwrights will be notified in January 2013.

2013 First Look Series

Selected plays receive a ten-hour workshop and public presentation at the Autry National Center. Selected playwrights receive directorial and dramaturgical support as well as an honorarium; out-of-town artists receive roundtrip airfare plus lodging in Southern California.

Selection Process: Full-length plays (60+ pages) received by September 14, 2012, will be read and evaluated. Select scripts will then be sent to a committee of nationally recognized theatre artists for further evaluation. With their help, Native Voices selects up to five plays for workshops and readings. Playwrights will be notified in May 2013.

A Note About the Native Voices Developmental Process

Months prior to residencies at the Playwrights Retreat and Festival of New Plays or the First Look Series, selected playwrights participate in dramaturgical conversations with an assigned director and dramaturg. Workshops with these creative teams and a cast of professional actors commence once the playwright arrives on-site. It is important to note that these conversations and workshops are playwright driven, allowing the writer to shape his/her own developmental path.

Checklist for Submissions

Please label script attachment as follows: PlayTitle_Author’s Last Name, First Initial (Example: MyNewPlay_Doe, J.doc)
Use a standard play-script format (one-inch margins, #12 Times or Courier font, all pages numbered).
Include a title page with full contact information (mailing address, phone numbers, e-mail address).
Include a character breakdown.
Provide a biography 75–100 words long, including tribal affiliation. Please label attachment as follows: Bio_Author’s Last Name, First Initial (Bio_Doe, J.doc)
Provide development history for the play. Label attachment as follows: DevHistory/PlayTitle_Author’s Last Name, First Initial (DevHistory/MyNewPlay_Doe, J.doc)

DO NOT send treatments or outlines. Previously submitted plays should only be resubmitted if the play has undergone significant dramatic changes. Plays that are not selected are kept on file for consideration for future opportunities. Playwrights are encouraged to make multiple submissions (up to three per event), but selection will be limited to only one play per playwright, per event.

Where to Send Submissions

We now only accept electronic submissions (in PDF or Word format):
E-mail your materials to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Type “SUBMISSION – [Title of Play]” in the subject line.

Additional Information

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TheAutry.org/NativeVoices
Facebook.com/NativeVoices
Pinterest.com/NativeVoices
NativeVoices.blogspot.com

Plays are evaluated on originality, theme, theatricality, and execution.

Plays workshopped at Native Voices at the Autry have gone on to productions and/or readings at such venues as New York’s Public Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, VSA North Fourth Art Center, Workshop West in Canada, Pennsylvania Center Stage, Trinity Repertory Company, and Montana Rep. They have also been featured at the Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices Theatre for Young Audiences in Washington, D.C.; the Two Worlds Native American Theater and Film Festival in New Mexico; the City University of New York Indigenous World Theatre Reading Series; Idyllwild Native Arts Week; the Originals Festival in Brisbane, Australia; the ASSITEJ 16th World Congress and Performing Arts Festival; and the Origins Festival in London.