DOES THE FESTIVAL ACCEPT SHORT PLAYS?
We accept all lengths of play for consideration, although 100 pages or under is preferred for both our Dramaturgical Workshop Program and Playwrights Lab.
DOES THE FESTIVAL ACCEPT PLAYS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PRODUCED?
The Women's Work Festival is a proponent of unproduced works. We generally accept plays that have had workshop productions as part of the script-writing process. If you are unsure whether a past presentation of your work counts as "produced", please contact us at the time of submission.
DOES THE FESTIVAL ACCEPT PLAYS FROM OUTSIDE ATLANTIC CANADA?
For 2026, we are accepting plays from all of Canada for the Annual Workshops. Playwriting Lab is offered only for playwrights from Newfoundland and Labrador. Due to the overwhelming amount of submissions, we are not accepting international submissions at this time.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DRAMATURGICAL WORKSHOP PROGRAM AND THE PLAYWRIGHTS LAB?
We offer two distinct programs to support playwrights:
- Dramaturgical Workshop Program: Our flagship festival is designed for playwrights with plays that are in the final/advanced stages of development and/or are almost ready for a production. The focus is on refining existing drafts through intensive dramaturgical support and audience feedback.
- Playwrights Lab: This program, led by PARC Artistic Director Santiago Guzmán, is specifically for playwrights with plays in their early stages of development, including those with a complete first draft that still requires significant development. It offers a structured environment for a cohort of playwrights to develop their drafts.
WHAT DO I GET IF SELECTED AS A PLAYWRIGHT?
- Dramaturgical Workshop Program Participants: You will workshop your play with a dramaturge and actors, obtain the feedback you need, and present either an excerpt or a full-length reading of your workshopped play. Playwrights receive an honorarium of $500.
- Playwrights Lab Participants: Online weekly development meetings with dramaturge Santiago Guzmán (to develop the first drafts of your play.), opportunity to have a public reading of an excerpt or the entire play at the end of the lab during the 20th Annual Women's Work Festival (between February 28 and March 4, 2026).
DOES THE FESTIVAL COVER MY TRAVEL?
Unfortunately, we do not cover travel costs. We explore as many options as we can and work with each playwright on an individual basis to try and offer as much as we can. In past festivals, we have been able to offer per diems and billet artists for the duration of your stay. We will be able to offer a confirmation in November 2025.
WILL THE FESTIVAL CONSIDER MORE THAN ONE PIECE I'VE WRITTEN?
Due to the overwhelming amount of submissions we've received in recent years, we are limiting our submissions to one piece per playwright this year across both programs. Please pick your best work, and we will be happy to read it!
WILL THE FESTIVAL BE IN PERSON THIS YEAR OR ONLINE?
Play readings will be happening preferentially in person. Usually, we also offer other activities for festival participants and the community online.
