Maltz Jupiter Theatre Hosts New Works Festival

Submissions are open
October 1 – November 16, 2026

• October 1, 2026: Registration opens for First Round Synopsis Submissions 
• November 16, 2026: Deadline for all first round synopsis submissions. 
• November 30, 2026: Playwrights will receive notification regarding the selection status of their synopsis. 
• June 1 through June 6, 2026: Breaking Ground New Works Festival, held at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre.

Deadlines expire at 11:59 EST (Eastern Standard Time). 

“Theatre only stays vital when it makes room for the full range of stories our audiences are living; voices and perspectives we haven’t always made space for.”

–Andrew Kato, Producing Artistic Director of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre

The Breaking Ground New Works Festival at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre aims to elevate underrepresented playwrights. We want to open our doors and share our resources to develop creators who have historically been excluded from stages. Breaking Ground will showcase straight plays and musicals by playwrights of all identities and backgrounds. Projects of varying styles and in varying stages of development will be considered.

 The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is proud to serve as a place to transform unseen creativity into vibrant, cultural narratives that reflect the diversity of our ever-changing world. 

First Round: Synopsis Submissions

For consideration in the Breaking Ground Festival, please fill out the JotForm at the end of this page. Deadline for first round submissions is November 16, 2026 at 11:59pm EST. You will receive confirmation that your submission was received. Selected playwrights will be contacted. Please do not email or call the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in regards to your submission. Any contact made about the progress of your submission will result in immediate disqualification.

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre will review all submissions. Submissions that do not adhere to these script guidelines will be rejected. Only submissions clearing all required guidelines by submission deadline will be considered for the Breaking Ground Festival. If a submission includes errors, the submission will be disqualified from consideration. Due to submission volume, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre will be unable to provide feedback regarding why a particular piece was not selected.

What type of show should I submit?
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is looking for any type of show. The purpose of this Festival is to uplift playwrights who are often underrepresented in the theatrical space including but not limited to: POC, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, Veterans, etc. We want to present great works of art that inspire the community, whether that makes the audience laugh, cry, or ponder, that is up to the playwright. Our adjudicators select shows that are of the highest quality across the widest possible range of themes and styles and sizes in various stages of development.  

My play/musical has already had a full production or is being considered for future productions at theatres. Does this disqualify it from submission? 
This does disqualify you. The Breaking Ground Festival is for scripts that are still in the first few stages of being developed. We will present shows that are almost at the last stage of development without a full production and for shows that have never had readings before.  

Can I submit my musical if I do not use original music? 
Yes. If you submit a musical that does not use original music, please be sure to provide documentation of grand rights or documentation that the music is in the public domain. 

I am/am not represented by an agent. Can I still submit? 
Yes! We will accept all submissions from all living playwrights regardless of whether or not if they are represented by an agent.  

Do I have to submit a professional quality song? 
While songs are not required to be professionally done, songs should be recorded with quality: clear accompaniment and clear vocals. We also recommend that the singers on the recording are the appropriate vocal types for the show.  

Do I submit my score, orchestrations or lead sheets during the second round?
We only need the songs. The form will not accept any additional materials. We will ask for a complete score upon selection for the Festival.  

What are stage readings and what is expected of me after?
Stage readings are when a play is read on stage with the actors holding the script. There are no set or costumes with a very limited amount of blocking as someone will read the stage directions for the audience. This bare bones style is to ensure that the playwright and audience members focus on the words from the play. Since selected plays may be in various stages of development, we expect the playwright to have a talk back session after the reading to answer audience questions and to provide insight on the creative process of writing the script.  

Should my script be selected, will I need to bring my own crew and actors for the reading?
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre will provide a crew and will hire actors for each reading.  

I star in, direct, or music direct my show. Is this possible to do at the Festival? 
To ensure focus on the workshops, we do not permit playwrights to hold any other roles during the Festival. 

Grand Rights 

• If the musical contains any copyrighted material, please submit a signed letter or copy of the contract stating that grand rights have been secured for you. To be eligible for the Festival, we are required to obtain: 
• Length of agreement and standards for renewals/extensions  
• Definition of all parties involved, clearly stating that the playwrights submitting to the Festival are party to this agreement 
• An indication that the theatrical version is permitted  
• Clauses indicating who has artistic control over the piece and what approvals are needed at what stages 
• If the music has songs that are in the public domain, please provide documentation that the song(s) are of free use to the public.