Submissions are now officially open for the 2026 Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition, one of the most prestigious contests for emerging playwrights around the world. The competition offers a significant platform for fresh voices in the theatre community and is now accepting original, unpublished full-length plays written in English from playwrights globally.
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the award-winning playwright and current judge of the Yale Drama Series, will select the winning manuscript. The selected playwright will receive the David Charles Horn Prize, which includes:
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A $10,000 cash award
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Publication of the winning play by Yale University Press
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A staged reading of the play at the Schwarzman Center at Yale University
There is no entry fee, and both electronic and hardcopy submissions will be accepted.
Submission Guidelines: Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to emerging playwrights from any part of the world, provided their submissions meet the following requirements:
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Language: Plays must be written in English.
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Length: Submissions must be full-length plays with a minimum of 65 pages. Shorter plays will be disqualified.
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Original Work: Only original and unpublished plays are eligible.
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Not Accepted: Translations, adaptations, musicals, and plays for children are not accepted.
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One Submission Only: Each playwright may submit only one manuscript per year.
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Individual Authors: Submissions must be authored by a single playwright.
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No Prior Professional Exposure: Plays that have been professionally produced or published are ineligible. However, plays that have undergone workshops, readings, or non-professional productions, or those published as actor’s editions, will still be considered.
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Not Under Contract: The submitted work must not be under option, commissioned, or scheduled for production or publication.
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Formatting: Manuscripts must be typed, word-processed, and page-numbered. Plays with images will not be accepted.
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Eligibility Limit: A playwright may only win the competition once.
Important Dates for the 2026 Competition
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Opening Date: June 1, 2025
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Deadline: August 15, 2025
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Time Zone: Submissions close at midnight EST
How to Submit Your Play
Electronic Submission (Preferred)
Playwrights are strongly encouraged to submit their plays online. Electronic submission comes with advantages such as instant confirmation and the ability to track the status of your entry.
Online submission details can be found on the official Yale Drama Series webpage.
Hardcopy Submission (If Necessary)
If online submission is not possible, hardcopy manuscripts will still be accepted. Follow these instructions carefully:
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Title Page #1: Include the title of the play, your full name, address, telephone number, email address (if available), and total page count.
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Title Page #2: Display only the title, followed by a 2–3 sentence summary of the play, a character list, and a breakdown of acts and scenes.
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Biography: Include a brief biography on a separate page at the end of the script.
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No Binding: Do not bind or staple the manuscript.
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Return Policy: Manuscripts will not be returned. Applicants are advised not to send their only copy.
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Acknowledgment of Receipt: To confirm delivery, include an email address or a stamped, self-addressed postcard.
Mail hardcopy submissions to:
Yale Drama Series
P.O. Box 209040
New Haven, CT 06520-9040
USA
Additional Notes
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The Yale Drama Series reserves the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.
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The competition reserves the right to withhold a winner in any given year.
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The organizers may also deem a selected manuscript ineligible if it no longer aligns with the spirit of the competition, especially in cases of previous accomplishments that exceed the “emerging playwright” threshold.
Learn More
For complete guidelines, FAQs, and submission portals, visit the official Yale Drama Series Competition page.
This is a rare and invaluable opportunity for playwrights to gain recognition, receive monetary support, and have their work celebrated on a major platform. Writers are encouraged to take advantage of this opening and share their best, boldest work with the Yale Drama Series.
