29th Annual Festival of Originals

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SUBMISSIONS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN - Please see below for submission information.

Theatre Southwest of Houston,Texas is accepting entries from now until March 31, 2026 for the 29th Annual Theatre Southwest Festival of Originals to be presented July 24th-August 8th, 2026. 

The TSW-FOO is FREE to enter and will once again be calling for short one act (20 minute) plays in any and all genres from all over the country and the world. 

Please check below for submission guidelines and see how you can enter for a chance to win a cash prize and to see your work produced.

Submission Guidelines:

• Each playwright may submit up to 2 plays for consideration.
• All entries should be unpublished and not previously produced in the Houston area.
•  All Genres are accepted. We produce an eclectic variety of plays, but comedies are always appreciated. 
• Monologues or One Actor plays are not accepted.
• Plays should be 20 minutes in length (give or take a minute or two).
• Page count should be no less than 17, but no more that 22 pages. 12 point font (Courier, Arial, or Times New Roman) and use Standard Playwriting Format.
• There is no maximum limit of characters or sets, but common sense should be used as 5 plays will be produced in one evening.
• Number all pages of the script(s) and they MUST be securely bound by three hold punch with braids or three hole punch folder. NO STAPLES!
• Scripts must be submitted by postal mail ONLY. Emailed PDF or Word files will not be considered.*
• Scripts (heard copies) cannot be returned.

NOTE: We apologize for the inconvenience of mailed in hard copies for ALL entities, even overseas entries this year. NO exceptions. If you have any questions please send an email to Mimi Holloway TSW's Artistic Director at: mimiholloway@gmail.com 

Be sure to include your contact information; phone number, email, and mailing address on the title page of each script.

List all characters with a brief character description.

Please include a one paragraph synopsis of the play.

Make sure all mailed entries are POSTMARKED by March 31st, 2026.

One hundred dollars will be paid to all playwrights selected for production.

Scripts should be mailed to: 

Theatre Southwest 

3939 Hillcroft Ave STE 160

Houston, Texas 77057-7759

Attn: TSW-FOO