Submissions Now Being Accepted for Fifth Annual United Solo Theatre Festival

The fifth annual United Solo Theatre Festival invites local and International Artists to submit their shows to the world's largest solo theatre festival. World premieres and already-produced shows are equally welcome. Submitted proposals may represent storytelling, improv, dance, musical, puppetry, multimedia, stand-up, magic, tragedy, comedy, and other forms of solo performance. Selected shows will be presented between September 18 and November 23, 2014 at Theatre Row in New York City. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 3, 2014.

The Festival's mission is to build the community of solo performers and connect them to New York audiences. Last season, the eight-week Festival featured over 120 solo productions from six continents. This year, in an extended ten-week run, the Festival will once again offer top notch productions by renowned artists and emerging talents. Artists benefit from presenting their works in the world-famous theatre district on 42nd Street. Theatre companies are given the opportunity to reach the industry, generate income from ticket sales from up to eight shows at the Festival, and receive media attention through previews, profiles, reviews, and other articles. Shows are also considered for participation in the exclusive United Solo showcase in Europe, as well as for play publication and awards for best acting, best directing, and the audience choice award. Winners from past seasons include Pedro Almodovar, Gordon Clapp, Ann Morrison, Austin Pendleton, LynnMarie Rink, and Eric Roberts.

Many of the awarded artists will be invited to join the United Solo Academy, a creative group that helps the Festival nominate and select solo performers to receive the annual United Solo Special Award. Nominees for this year's special recognition will be announced in the spring. Over the past few years, this honorary prize was presented to Anna Deavere Smith, Patti LuPone, John Leguizamo, and Fiona Shaw.

More information and the application form can be found at www.unitedsolo.org.

Also, check out a video in which Fiona Shaw invites artists to submit their shows. She says:

"Submit your piece to this wonderful solo group" said Fiona Shaw, winner of 2013 Untied Solo Special Award, "with a bit of luck you'll have your show shown in the center mecca of solo shows in the world."