The Obsidian Theatre Festival, produced in the city of Detroit, is a celebration of Black stories. These locally produced stories will highlight the prolific work of emerging Black voices, and focus on the vast array of diverse experiences of those within the African diaspora in America. www.obsidianfest.org

MISSION STATEMENT

It is the mission of the Obsidian Theatre Festival to feature the work of exciting Black voices, and illuminate the rich diversity of experiences relevant to the African diaspora in America. 

PURPOSE STATEMENT

We will entertain, educate and provoke the thoughtful consideration of a broad theatrical audience, while normalizing the panoply of Black American culture. 

SEEKING

The OBSIDIAN THEATRE FESTIVAL is seeking new, short and full length plays by emerging Black playwrights for its upcoming theatre festival: June 26-29, 2025

As part of the four-day festival, select plays will be staged, rehearsed, produced, performed, and filmed. Pieces will be presented for live theatre audiences, as well as professionally filmed and streamed for free for global audiences visiting Obsidian’s website later in the year.  Each play or musical will receive two (2) performances during the festival week.

DUE DATE

Submissions will be accepted beginning September 6 and due no later that October 4, 2024 (applications accepted on a rolling basis)

SUBMISSION CRITERION 

• Plays no shorter than 30 minutes and no longer than 90 minutes 
• A sample of 10 pages. 
• A current, complete script.
• Video Submissions will not be accepted.
• No more than 100 play submissions will be accepted.

SUBMIT

https://bit.ly/otf25ms-submit or scan the QR code 

LOCATION

Selected pieces will be produced for live audiences in Detroit and filmed for streaming across the country.

COMPENSATION

Selected playwrights will be paid a stipend of $500.00 USD

FAQ

Question: Do you have to live in Detroit to participate/submit your play?

Answer: No.

Question: Can I submit if my play is less than 30 minutes long?

Answer: No. Although we ask for a sample of 10-pages, the festival  is not a 10-minute play festival. 

Question: Can I still submit my play if it has already had a reading or has been produced somewhere else?

Answer: While we encourage new work, we also support the developmental process.  If your piece is in development, has had a reading, or has been produced at smaller theatres then send it along. 

Question: Can I submit more than one play?

Answer: Yes, however, no more than two submissions per playwright will be permitted. Playwright’s submitting more than two works will be removed from the committee process. 

Question: What do you mean by filmed?

Answer: The Obsidian Theatre Festival is captured  with a multi-camera shoot in the theatre during the festival.  The captured footage will then be edited and streamed globally on Obsidian's website for free, later in the year.