New Jersey’s vibrant theatre community is preparing for one of its most anticipated annual events. Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, has officially opened submissions for its Premiere Play Festival, a celebrated competition that spotlights bold new voices in American theatre.
A Stage for New Voices
Submissions will be accepted beginning Monday, September 1, 2025, through November 1, 2025. This year marks another exciting opportunity for emerging and established playwrights with strong regional ties to showcase their work and potentially see their scripts developed for the stage.
The Premiere Play Festival has built a reputation as one of the region’s leading incubators for new plays. Each year, playwrights from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware are invited to submit unproduced scripts for consideration.
What sets this festival apart is its deep commitment to development and production opportunities. Up to four playwrights will be selected, with their work receiving professional readings, dramaturgical support, and in some cases, fully staged productions. For many artists, this represents a crucial bridge from page to stage—a chance to collaborate with seasoned theatre professionals and bring fresh perspectives to live audiences.
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How the Festival Works
The selection process is highly competitive, reflecting the festival’s growing prestige. Submissions are reviewed by a panel of theatre professionals, with finalists chosen for staged readings. These readings allow playwrights to hear their words performed by professional actors, often for the very first time.
From there, Premiere Stages determines which works will move forward to receive full productions in upcoming seasons. Previous winners have gone on to earn national recognition, highlighting the festival’s importance as a launching pad for playwrights at critical stages in their careers.
A Commitment to Regional Talent
While many new play festivals cast a wide net nationally, Premiere Stages takes pride in supporting artists with strong ties to the greater metropolitan area. This focus ensures that local and regional stories—those deeply rooted in the culture and communities of New Jersey and its neighboring states—find their way onto the stage.
The result is a rich and diverse mix of voices, often reflecting the complexities, struggles, and triumphs of life in the Northeast. For audiences, it means access to theatre that feels both immediate and relevant, while still offering universal themes that resonate far beyond state borders.
Premiere Stages at Kean University
As the professional theatre in residence at Kean University, Premiere Stages is uniquely positioned to blend professional artistry with educational mission. The company has become a cornerstone of New Jersey’s cultural landscape, producing thought-provoking new works while also engaging students, faculty, and community members in meaningful ways.
In addition to the Play Festival, Premiere Stages offers workshops, residencies, and outreach programs that make theatre accessible to diverse audiences. This dual commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement has earned the company widespread recognition as a vital part of New Jersey’s performing arts scene.
Why This Festival Matters
For playwrights, the Premiere Play Festival is more than a competition—it’s an opportunity to grow. Development support, professional mentorship, and the chance to connect with audiences are all invaluable steps in a playwright’s journey.
For New Jersey theatre-goers, the festival offers the thrill of discovering tomorrow’s voices today. Audiences get to experience the earliest iterations of plays that may eventually make their way to Off-Broadway, regional theatres across the country, or even Broadway itself.
And for the state as a whole, the festival underscores New Jersey’s growing role as a cultural powerhouse, where innovation in the arts thrives alongside its well-established business and education sectors.
Submission Information
- Submission Period: September 1 – November 1, 2025
- Eligibility: Playwrights with strong ties to New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Delaware
- Focus: Unproduced scripts only
- Opportunities: Up to four playwrights will receive developmental or production support
Playwrights interested in submitting should prepare their scripts according to the festival’s guidelines and ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.
The Bottom Line
The Premiere Play Festival at Kean University remains one of the most important platforms for playwrights in the region, offering unmatched opportunities for development and production. As submissions open this September, anticipation is already building for the discovery of the next wave of theatrical talent.
For audiences and artists alike, this festival is a reminder of the power of theatre to illuminate, challenge, and connect. New Jersey’s arts scene continues to thrive, and Premiere Stages is helping lead the way.
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