Submit Scripts
Thank you for your interest in our theatre and for your support of our efforts to bring powerful new works to the stage.
Please review the following submission guidelines very carefully before submitting. If the guidelines are not properly adhered to, we can not guarantee that your script will be reviewed.
About Us
At Luna Stage, we are committed to nurturing excellence in playwriting, in all phases of development. We are interested in works by diverse voices that have clearly been written for the stage, as opposed to other mediums. We look for well-told stories, in all shapes and configurations. We are attracted to writing that has a depth and a texture in its language and characters, and/or a novel use of structure. We produce material of all genres, but look for work that transcends its immediate story to resonate with audiences on many levels.
First Step
Please review Luna Stage’s production history prior to submitting to get a sense of what type of work we tend to produce, and to gauge whether or not your work might be a good match for us. Luna Stage has two theatres, seating 99 and 45 people respectively. On the first Monday of every month (from October to May), we hold a New Moon Play Reading. We often select work for further development from these readings.
Who Can Submit
- Luna Stage accepts script submissions from playwrights who are currently represented by a theatrical agent, hold an MFA in playwriting, or are currently enrolled in an MFA playwriting program.
- If a playwright does not meet the criteria listed above but still wishes to submit a play to Luna Stage, we will accept a script if it is accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the Artistic Director or Literary Manager of an Equity theatre or a professional organization that focuses solely on the development of new works for the stage.
- Additionally, Luna Stage will accept open submissions from playwrights who make their permanent residence in the state of New Jersey.
PLEASE NOTE: Playwrights with agent representation are welcomed, and even encouraged, to submit their work on their own. The scripts do not need to come from the agent, or be bound in the agency’s materials. Just indicate the name and contact information of your agent on the script or in your cover letter.
If you have any questions about whether or not you meet any of these criteria, please e-mail Associate Artistic Director/Director of Play Development Cheryl Katz.
What To Submit
Please read the following submission requirements very carefully.
Script submissions will be accepted from September 15th through April 15th (postmark date).
Please limit your submission to one script per season, unless additional materials are specifically requested. We do not accept electronic submissions of scripts.
A) If you are a playwright who meets the criteria listed above in #1 or #2 and this is the first time you have ever submitted your work to Luna Stage, please send a hard copy of the following materials:
- A cover letter including all contact information and the relevant development and/or production history of the play. Please provide an e-mail address for response, as this is our preferred method of communication. If your e-mail provider has a spam blocker, please make sure to put Cheryl Katz: cheryl@lunastage.org in your address book so e-mails will be accepted.
- 2 copies each of a resume, a synopsis of the play, and any relevant press materials (this is optional). Please note that a synopsis should be just that: a brief (no more than 1 page) description of the events of your play, from beginning to end. Please do not include a promotional blurb or a review in place of a synopsis.
- A clean copy of the full script. Please do not bind any support materials in with the copy of the play.
- For submissions of musical theatre, please consider the size of our space prior to submitting, and follow the same submission guidelines as listed above. Please also include a CD of musical selections.
- Please do not include a SASE of any size unless you do not have access to e-mail. Notification will be made through e-mail. If you have a spam blocker, please add chery@lunastage.org to your address book to ensure receipt. Scripts will not be returned. Unused scripts will be recycled. If you include a SASP for confirmation of receipt, we will do our best to return it in a timely fashion.
- Additionally, if you are NOT currently represented by a theatrical agent, do NOT hold an MFA in playwriting, or are NOT currently enrolled in an MFA playwriting program, please include a letter of recommendation from the Artistic Director or Literary Manager of an Equity theatre or a professional organization that focuses solely on the development of new works for the stage.
B) If you are a playwright making your permanent residence in the state of New Jersey, and you have never submitted your work to Luna Stage in the past, we will accept a sample of your work as an open submission. Please follow the same submission requirements listed above (in section A), but please submit a 20-page sample of one script rather than the entire text. It is strongly suggested that you include the 1st 20 pages of a given text as opposed to a section from the middle of a play.
C) If you are a playwright who meets any of our criteria for submission but has previously submitted work to Luna Stage, prior to submitting again, please send an e-mail query to Associate Artistic Director/Director of Play Development Cheryl Katz. Please do not send attachments with this e-mail. In the body of an e-mail text, please write a short note with a brief description of the play you wish to submit. Please wait for a response prior to submitting.
Send all submissions to:
Cheryl Katz
Associate Artistic Director/Director of Play Development
Luna Stage
555 Valley Road
West Orange NJ 07052
You can expect a turn around time of 3-6 months on script submissions. We thank you in advance for your patience and for your interest in our theatre.
