Submissions Open For Chain Theatre Summer One-Act Festival
Submissions are open now through May 17th.
Following the sold-out crowds for the Winter One-Act Festival featuring performances by Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid, My Cousin Vinny) and direction by Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network; A Real Pain), the Chain Theatre is opening submissions for their 2026 summer edition.
Kirk Gostkowski, Artistic Director, Rick Hamilton, Managing Director, Christina Elise Perry, Director of Development, have announced submissions are open now through May 17th. The Chain Summer One-Act Festival is a true celebration of bold voices and original storytelling, returning July 9th - August 2nd. Chain will continue to showcase playwrights of all backgrounds from the tri-state area to serve up a theatrical 'mix-tape' of new work in the heart of the theatre district in mid-town Manhattan. Submit here.
Past festival headliners have included industry giants such as Tony Award-winner David Rabe (Sticks and Bones), Broadway's Lyle Kessler (Orphans), and award-winning actor/writer Eric Bogosian (AMC's Interview With The Vampire). But mainly the Chain One-Act Festivals serve as a platform for artists, from emerging to seasoned, to expand their horizons and try new things, as seen with Jesse Eisenberg's theatrical directorial debut programmed alongside recent Emerson College grad Emma McGill's one-woman show. Chain provides space to experiment and take innovative risks without the pressure of a full production. The winter edition featured 90+ plays, running from 10 minutes to an hour, from playwrights across a wide array of ages, races, genders and nationalities. Chain Theatre gives you the opportunity to tell your story, your way. Submit today!
The festival will take place from July 9th - August 2nd at Chain Theatre (312 W. 36th Street, 3rd and 4th Floors, New York, NY 10018).
Chain Theatre is currently celebrating an extended run of the World Premiere production of THE PUSHOVER by John Patrick Shanley through May 2nd. There will be an additional performance on Monday, April 27th. Following the performance, there will be a talkback with John Patrick Shanley and the full cast.
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