Apply now for the The Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition

The Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition is currently accepting submissions for its 2025 playwriting contest. The winning play will be chosen by the current judge, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The recipient of this yearly competition will receive the David Charles Horn Prize of $10,000, have their manuscript published by Yale University Press, and attend a special event. However, the prize and publication are subject to the playwright agreeing to the terms of the publishing contract.

Guidelines – The Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition

There is no fee to enter. Please adhere to the following guidelines when preparing your manuscript:

– Only plays written in English are eligible for this competition. Submissions from around the world are welcome.
– Entries must be original, unpublished full-length plays, with a minimum of 65 pages. Works with fewer than 65 pages will not be considered.
– Translations, adaptations, musicals, and children’s plays will not be accepted.
– The Yale Drama Series aims to support up-and-coming playwrights. Each playwright can only win the competition once.
– Playwrights are allowed to submit one manuscript per year. Only works by a single playwright are eligible.
– Plays that have been professionally produced or published are not eligible. Works that have undergone a workshop, reading, or non-professional production, or have been published as an actor’s edition, will be considered.
– Submissions must not be under option, commissioned, or scheduled for professional production or publication at the time of entry.
– Manuscripts must be typed/word-processed and have page numbers. Plays with images will not be accepted.
– The Yale Drama Series reserves the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.
– The judge may choose not to select a winner in a particular year and may determine the ineligibility of a winner based on the author’s achievements and the competition’s ethos.

Electronic Submissions – The Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition

Electronic submissions are highly encouraged for the Yale Drama Series Competition. By submitting your script electronically, you will promptly receive confirmation of your successful submission and have the ability to monitor the status of your entry.

For the 2025 competition, electronic submissions should be sent between June 15, 2024, and September 8, 2024. The submission window will close at midnight EST.

When submitting your play electronically, ensure that your name and contact details are not included in your manuscript or submission file name. The manuscript should start with a title page containing the play’s title, a brief description of the play (2-3 sentences), a list of characters, and a breakdown of acts and scenes. Please provide the title of your play, your name, contact information (address, phone number, email address), and a short biography in the designated sections of the electronic submission form.

If you would like to submit an electronic copy of your manuscript please go to: https://yup.submittable.com/submit.

Hard Copy Submissions – The Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition

Applicants are strongly encouraged by the Yale Drama Series Competition to submit their scripts electronically. However, if this is not feasible, hardcopies will be accepted.

For the 2025 competition, submissions must be postmarked between June 15, 2024, and September 8, 2024.

In case you are submitting a hard copy of your play, the manuscript should start with a title page indicating the play’s title, your name, address, telephone number, email address (if available), and page count. Additionally, include a second title page with only the play’s title, a brief 2-3 sentence description of the play, a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes. A short biography should be included at the end of the manuscript on a separate page.

Avoid binding or stapling the manuscript.

Do not send the sole copy of your work, as manuscripts will not be returned after the competition. If you desire acknowledgment of receipt, please provide an email address on the title page or a stamped, self-addressed postcard.

Mail the manuscript to Yale Drama Series, P.O. Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040. For more details visit the official website