THE PLAYGROUND
THE PLAYGROUND WORKSHOPS, PROGRAMS, AND PLAYS
Ten-Minute Play Festival submissions open
MONDAY, Sept 21
Submissions are open September 21 - October 30, 2026!
There is no cost to participate.
PLEASE READ THE FULL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND PLAY FORMAT GUIDE BEFORE SUBMITTING
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The Ten-Minute Play Festival is an annual event hosted by The Theater Bug! The Festival showcases original ten-minute plays by local young writers brought to life on stage with youth and adult professional actors!
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We’re looking for plays that are inventive, exciting, and unique. Plays can be comedies or dramas, realistic or fantastic, full of big universe-jumping science fiction ideas or full of small-scale everyday details, and everything in-between. The only limit is your imagination! (and the page count!)
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We want to see the story you’re excited to write! We’re looking for original ten-minute plays that center youth voices and provide meaningful roles for young actors. Whether funny, dramatic, or somewhere in between, the most important thing is that the story is uniquely yours!
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Submissions are open to all middle Tennessee students ages 14-18, with all levels of experience. This can be your very first play or you can be an experienced writer! We want to see your stories!
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Submissions are open September 21st - October 30th, 2026. Selected playwrights will receive developmental support from Theater Bug staff and will see their play presented on stage at the Theater Bug Ten-Minute Play Festival. Submissions are open to all middle Tennessee students ages 14-18, no previous writing experience necessary.
MANDATORY DATES
Developmental workshops:
January 5-10, 2027
Tech Week:
Feb 1-3, 2027
Performances:
February 4-7, 2027
REHEARSALS
January 17-31, 2027
PLEASE READ THE FULL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND PLAY FORMAT GUIDE BEFORE SUBMITTING
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
Middle School Workshop for Playwriting!
This workshop is currently full. If you would like to be notified if a spot opens up, please email auditions@thetheaterbug.org
Monday, September 14th
4:30-7:30pm
Ages 11-13
$65
Financial Assistance Available
Interested in writing a play but not sure where to start? This workshop introduces middle school writers to the fundamentals of playwriting! We’ll explore how playwrights create new characters, imagine new worlds, and bring a story to life onstage. No previous writing experience is necessary – just bring your imagination and something to write with!
FALL PLAYGROUND WORKSHOPS
September 14th - 20th
Intro Workshop for Ten-Minute Plays!
This workshop is currently full. If you would like to be notified if a spot opens up, please email auditions@thetheaterbug.org
Tuesday and Wednesday, September 15th and 16th
4:30-7:30pm
Ages 14-18
$125
Financial Assistance Available
Perfect for students who are new to playwriting or looking for a structured way to start. Students will jump in and learn the fundamentals of dramatic writing through interactive exercises, group activities, and supportive feedback. They’ll invent original characters, develop the world around them, and bring the characters to life in scenes and monologues. By the end of the workshop, students will have a strong start on a new ten-minute play and the tools to keep writing.
Advanced Workshop for Ten-Minute Plays!
**SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Friday, September 4th**
Friday and Saturday, September 18th and 19th
Friday 4:30-7:30pm & Saturday 10am-3pm
Ages 14-18
$150
Financial Assistance Available
Writers must receive approval to attend this workshop
The Advanced Workshop is for students with prior writing experience who are ready to take their work to the next level. Taught over two sessions, the workshop focuses on advanced playwriting topics, with exercises and discussion designed to strengthen craft and deepen understanding of dramatic writing. Students will hear their pages read aloud, receive constructive feedback, and identify opportunities for revision.
When enrolling, students are asked to submit a 2–5 page writing sample from an original play. Placement in the advanced workshop will be communicated after writing samples are reviewed. Writers who are not enrolled in the advanced workshop will receive a spot in the beginning workshop.