Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition 2023

The Yale Drama Series is seeking submissions for its 2024 playwriting competition. The winning play will be selected by the series’ current judge, Jeremy O. Harris. The prize and publication are contingent on the playwright’s agreeing to the terms of the publishing agreement.

About Yale University

Yale Young Global Scholars is an unparalleled academic and leadership program at Yale University, founded on the tenets of liberal arts, renowned for its diverse and inclusive community, and committed to increasing education access.

Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition

Aim and Benefits of Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition

• The winner will be awarded the David Charles Horn Prize of $10,000 and publication of their manuscript by Yale University Press.

Requirements for Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition Qualification

• The Yale Drama Series is an annual competition for emerging playwrights. Worldwide submissions are accepted.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition

• This contest is restricted to plays written in the English language. Worldwide submissions are accepted.
• Submissions must be original, unpublished full-length plays, with a minimum of 65 pages. Plays with less than 65 pages will not be considered. Translations, musicals, and children’s plays are not accepted.
• The Yale Drama Series is intended to support emerging playwrights. Playwrights may win the competition only once.
• Playwrights may submit only one manuscript per year.  Only manuscripts authored by one playwright are eligible.
• Plays that have been professionally produced or published are not eligible. Plays that have had a workshop, reading, or non-professional production or that have been published as an actor’s edition will be considered.
• Plays may not be under option, commissioned, or scheduled for professional production or publication at the time of submission.
• Plays must be typed/word-processed and page-numbered.
• The Yale Drama Series reserves the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.
• The Yale Drama Series reserves the right of the judge to not choose a winner for any given year of the competition and reserves the right to determine the ineligibility of a winner, in keeping with the spirit of the competition, and based upon the accomplishments of the author.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Electronic Submissions: If you are submitting your play electronically, please omit your name and contact information from your manuscript and submission file name. The manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play’s title, a 2-3 sentence keynote description of the play, a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes. Please enter the title of your play, your name and contact information (including address, phone number, and email address), and a brief biography where indicated in the electronic submission form.If you would like to submit an electronic copy of your manuscript here.
• Hardcopy Submissions: If you are submitting a hard copy of your play, the manuscript must begin with a title page that shows the play’s title and your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address (if you have one), and page count; and, a second title page that lists the title of the play only, a 2-3 sentence keynote description of the play, a list of characters, and a list of acts and scenes. Please include a brief biography at the end of the manuscript, on a separate page.Do not bind or staple the manuscript.Do not send the only copy of your work. Manuscripts cannot be returned after the competition. If you wish receipt of your manuscript to be acknowledged, please include an email address on the title page or a stamped, self-addressed postcard. Send the manuscript to Yale Drama Series, P.O. Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040.

For more details,visit Yale University website