*Please note, we only accept submissions written for the stage by Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and First Nations artists.

Short Plays

EXTENDED DEADLINE: June 30, 2025

16th Annual Short Play Festival: Merciless Indian Savages: A Native Perspective about the Declaration of Independence and U.S. History 

With the upcoming 250th anniversary of 1776 and the Declaration of Independence, it is only appropriate that our theme for the 16th Annual Short Play Festival addresses this historical event. 

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal..." 

Many Americans learned the preamble of the Declaration of Independence while in elementary school and proudly recited it from memory. However, most are unaware that in this same document about the importance of equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is the following phrase: “Merciless Indian Savages.”1 

Native Playwrights, tell us about what this country does (or does not) teach about the original Inhabitants. This is your opportunity to create your own "Idiot's Guide to Native American History" through storytelling. Correct wrongs, offer counter-narratives, share crazy encounters you have had with the US and Canada’s warped sense of Native people, or just poke fun at all the misinformation about our people. We are not asking you to be merciless or savage, but we do ask that you be unapologetically Native! 

Selected short plays will be performed in an afternoon of staged readings, where playwrights have a chance to win the Thomas Studie Gadugi Audience Prize of $500 and the Von Marie Atchley Playwright Award of $1,000. 

We ask that each play be 10 minutes in length or shorter. From our experience and the recorded history of past winners, the audiences and judges prefer comedies! Fresh, surprising perspectives are welcome. Originality is key!!

1 "He has excited domestic Insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the Inhabitants of our Frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known Rule of Warfare, is an undistinguished Destruction, of all Ages, Sexes and Conditions."

Playwrights will be notified in November 2025 of the final status of their script. 

*Scripts longer than 15 pages or read aloud at longer than 10 minutes, or with the playwright’s name appearing anywhere on the script, will not be accepted. 

*A maximum of 5 characters is recommended. Doubling is encouraged, should it be necessary to complete your vision.

Full-Length Plays

DEADLINE: not announced yet - info coming soon

2026 Playwrights Retreat and 32nd Festival of New Play (info coming soon)

2025 OPEN Submission for Production Consideration

We accept scripts all year long. Do you have a full-length script that has been developed and produced that you would like us to consider for a future Native Voices production in Los Angeles? Please follow the Checklist for All Submissions below and in the Native Voices Script Submission form, check the box for 2025 General Production Consideration.

How to Submit

Checklist for All Submission Types

1. Blind Copy of Script
   1. Please label your script as follows: TITLE OF YOUR PLAY IN ALL CAPS.pdf Please submit a PDF, other document formats will not be accepted.
   2. All submissions must adhere to a standard play-script format (one-inch margins, #12 Times or Courier font, title page, all pages numbered), and your name should be removed from the script itself.
   3. Include a thorough character breakdown and description at the beginning of your script.
2. Playwright Bio
   1. Provide a biography of 75–100 words.
   2. Please label attachment as follows: Author’s First and Last Name - BIO. (Example: John Doe - BIO.pdf).
3. Playwright Photo
   1. Provide a photo (headshot) of at least 300dpi that will be used for publicity purposes.
   2. Please label attachment as follows: Author’s First and Last Name - PHOTO. (Example: John Doe - PHOTO).

Where to Send Submissions

We only accept electronic submissions (preferably PDF format).

To submit, make sure you have everything on the checklist above, click on the link below to fill out the form and upload your materials:

- Short Plays: https://bit.ly/NVSPF2026 
- Full Length Plays: Not currently accepting submissions 
- General Production Consideration: (currently under construction, check back shortly)

A Note About the Native Voices Distance Dramaturgy Process

Months prior to residencies, 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 their own developmental path. Selected playwrights should be prepared to dedicate adequate time to this process prior to arriving on-site.

For More Information or Questions:

literary@nativevoices.co

Facebook.com/NativeVoices