Call for Submissions (Alberta): 38th Annual Stage One Festival of New Canadian Work – Lunchbox Theatre, Theater News

Lunchbox Theatre invites playwrights to submit one-act plays (45-60 minutes) for consideration for the 38th Annual Stage One Festival of New Canadian Work.

Lunchbox Theatre presents one-act plays with a focus on celebrating human stories—creating engaging theatre that is accessible, inclusive, affordable and sustainable. We are committed to representing diverse voices and encourage playwrights of all backgrounds to submit. We acknowledge that Lunchbox has a history of programming a majority of white playwrights, and we are committed to continuing to build a more inclusive future. We are eager to hear from IBPOC creators. We are pleased to announce that we are accepting pitches as well as submissions of workshop-ready scripts.

Stage One submissions must be suitable for an eventual production at Lunchbox Theatre. Scripts must be able to be performed by 1 to 4 performers (including live musicians for musicals) and the final running time must be under 60 minutes. While selection to participate in Stage One does not guarantee a future production, please note that certain complex technical requirements and excessive use of foul language or nudity may limit a project’s viability at Lunchbox. Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with our mandate and recent programming to ensure their submission is appropriate.

Stage One will take place in May-June 2025 (exact dates TBC). Funding dependent, up to six plays will be chosen for development. Successful applicants must be available to attend the full schedule of workshops and reading. Consideration of the playwright’s availability is given when scheduling the workshops, and playwrights who are not based in Calgary can attend virtually.

Themes
Our focus is on uplifting and meaningful entertainment. For our 2025 Stage One Festival, we particularly invite submissions that reflect one or more of the following themes:

• joyful explorations of identity
• connection across lines of difference
• hopeful looks at the future
• the climate crisis, particularly stories that positively imagine ways forward
• IBPOC perspectives
• perspectives shaped by lived experience with disability
• solo shows and 2-handers
• … and of course: comedies, love stories, musicals and plays for the winter holidays and Remembrance Day

Eligibility

• Submissions are open to all permanent residents of Canada who have been residents of the country for a minimum of 12 months
• Scripts that have been professionally produced are not eligible
• Maximum of one submission (either one draft of a script OR one pitch) per playwright

Compensation & Support
All chosen playwrights receive a 20-hour workshop including dramaturgical support, with a professional director and actors, culminating in a public reading/presentation. Playwrights will also meet with Bronwyn for dramaturgical feedback before the workshop. Playwrights submitting a full draft will have one meeting, while playwrights submitting a pitch will have two meetings.

Playwrights will receive a $1,000 development fee: $600 during the workshop process and $400 upon receipt of the post-workshop draft.

Timeline – Pitch Applications
For Pitches, there is a 2-step application process. The initial application includes the questions on the form as well as an attached document that outlines the play (as much as you know so far). If your application is shortlisted and moves on to the next stage, we will contact you two weeks after the initial deadline and invite you to submit a 5–10-page script sample, due 3 weeks later.

• January 26 – deadline for Pitch applications
• February 10 – notification of shortlisted Pitches
• March 2 – deadline for 5-10 page script samples from shortlisted Pitches
• Mid to late March – notification of selected playwrights
• Late March to early April – first dramaturgical meeting with Bronwyn
• Mid-May – deadline for workshop-ready draft & second dramaturgical meeting with Bronwyn
• May-June 2024 – Stage One Festival (exact dates TBC)

Timeline – Full Draft Applications

• February 9 – deadline for Full Draft applications
• Mid to late March – notification of selected playwrights
• Late march to early April – dramaturgical meeting with Bronwyn
• May-June 2024 – Stage One Festival (exact dates TBC)

To submit please fill out the Application Google Form that can be found here: https://www.lunchboxtheatre.com/working-at-lunchbox