TICKTOCK | Voices Amplified

SUBMISSION DETAILS

2026 Theme: Reclamation

For the 2026 Voices HEaRd: A Women’s Theatre Festival, the theme of Reclamation bridges parody, true crime, and new works by centering women reclaiming their own stories. The festival highlights women taking control of their legacies—challenging the myths, stereotypes, and sensational headlines that have long defined them.

TICKTOCK Play Festival

A showcase of short plays and devised work that continues the festival theme of emphasizing agency and the power of women to own their own stories. By changing the narrative, we take back the pen from those who miswrote us or who will misrepresent us in future narratives. This festival is about exposing the truth of our lived experiences and setting the record straight—unapologetically and in our own voices.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

Voices Amplified is seeking submissions of short plays or devised movement theatre works 3- 30 minutes by *female-identifying playwrights.

*This includes those who have experienced womanhood in all its intersectionality, including cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming individuals.

We will have two different submission types with two different deadlines:

Adult Play submissions accepted February 1-February 28

High School Play submissions accepted February 1- April 18.

There will be workshops for high school students to be announced very soon that will involve assistance with writing a short play.

We are interested in plays and performances that explore the 2026 theme of Reclamation.
We can accept materials with 1-4 performers.
Performers may be any and all gender expressions.

WHAT WE’RE OFFERING:

Selected plays and pieces will receive a production of 2 performances as part of Voices Amplified 2026 Voices HEaRd.
Adult playwrights will receive a small honorarium for their work and 2 complimentary tickets to attend the TICKTOCK festival.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR SHORT PLAYS

Submissions will be collected according to the above deadlines. After the deadline, our Play Selection Committee, which will include the directors for the Playfest, will read and review each piece, narrowing the number of scripts or proposals to a selection of 90 to 120 minutes of material. This material will include 1-2 high school submissions and 1-2 devised pieces. Directors will then choose one of the selected plays, and the directors will cast from open auditions. For devised work, no directors will be assigned and devisors will have the opportunity to use their own performers or to participate in the casting process. After a rehearsal period in May 2026, the plays will be presented for 2 performances in front of a paying audience as part of the Voices HEaRd Theatre Festival June 4-14.

Play Submission Process:

Be sure to upload a PDF version of your play title in caps, followed by the _playwright’s name. Example: DISENCHANTED_Emma Erwin.
Submit to TICKTOCK Playfest Producer Emma Erwin emma.activateawp@gmail.com. Play submissions will not be accepted anywhere else.
Please include a Title Page with your full contact information, and a brief synopsis of the play.
Please number all pages.
Submit your play before the February 28 deadline.
There is no entry fee.
Plays submitted will not be returned.
Plays should not be AI generated.
Please make sure your script is easy to read.
All plays should be in 12 pt font with 1 in margins. Please make sure you use a standard & easy to read font.
We are wanting plays, not skits. There should be a beginning, middle, and end with an actual plot.
No multiple scenes or scene changes during your play.
No extensive set/costume/light/projection requirements. Shows should be able to be done on a minimal budget in the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center Blackbox.
For plays with complex requirements, stage directions will be read as part of the performance. Our focus will be on exploring the words and story, and less so on creating a full production.
The setting of your play should be simple or suggested.
Please, no more than 4 characters
Please let us know if any of the characters requirements are flexible for age, gender, and race/ethnicity.
We are unable to give feedback on plays not selected.
We will post selected plays on Facebook and Instagram and our website.
We will only email all playwrights at the end of the process.
By submitting a script for consideration, the playwright agrees that Voices Amplified may produce the play for our 2026 Festival.
The playwright also agrees to waive any royalties for the production of the piece in the festival and relinquishes all rights to casting decisions and/or scenic choices
If selected, we ask that you actively promote your productions to boost ticket sales and share pertinent marketing information about the festival.

Submission Requirements for Devised Work:

Devised submissions require a "Proof of Concept" or "Pitch" package:

Project Description: A summary of the central concept, themes, and intended audience (usually 150–400 words).
Supporting Media: Video clips of past workshops, storyboards, inspirational "look books," or sound recordings.
Technical Parameters: A description of the physical needs of the piece, as devised work often relies on specific set pieces or unique staging.
Creative Team Bio: Information on the ensemble or lead artists, highlighting their collaborative experience.

Questions